BE698645A - - Google Patents

Description

  

   <Desc / Clms Page number 1>
 



  Packaging method and device
The present invention relates generally to a device and method for shaping and wrapping in individual packages a malleable, semi-solid and moldable product into a desired configuration of the package. The invention relates more particularly to a device and a method of the type indicated above, in which a wrapping blank, characterized by easy opening, is made from a roll material, is applied at a measured volume. of the product, shaped by the device into a desired shape, and finally is sealed so as to

 <Desc / Clms Page number 2>

   catch air and humidity from reaching the product;

   all these operations are carried out at high speed, continuously and fully automatically,
To describe the invention, we will consider a particular embodiment designed to wrap in an envelope a food product, which has been reduced to grains or flies; the individual filaments or grains of the food product are combined and molded in the form of a disc, which will be called a "pate", it is of course however the precise nature of the product or the precise form in which it is molded are not essential features of the invention.

   In the embodiment described herein, a wrapping material is also used, which is transparent and has a relatively high degree of impermeability to moisture, since the possibility of seeing the product inside. its casing and the protection of the product against humidity are important factors in the marketing of products of this kind. However, as will be seen in the course of the description which follows, the invention does not depend on. It is not a way of a wrapping material having these characteristics.



   To implement the invention, an endless chain of a unique and new construction was used * this
 EMI2.1
 chain passes around two separate turrets .. â, .. ^ s-e: and. extends between these two turrets, which cociportpiit, \.:.,.:. ' \ .m0 toothed wheel is taken with the chain, The chain t). .. ".g ,,.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 3>

   continuous movement; each of its links constitutes a mold, in which a measured quantity of the bulk product is placed by cooperating members, to be shaped according to the desired configuration, for example that of a pate.



  The introduction of the product in bulk into the mold, the measurement of its quantity and its shaping into the shape of a pate are carried out while the individual links of the chain pass around one of the turrets; the sealing of the edges of the wrapping blank, in order to complete the wrapping operation, is carried out while the individual links of the chain pass around the other turret.



   Along the front straight end of the chain is a mechanism for manufacturing the wrap blank this mechanism produces individual wrap blanks, with novel features of ease of opening, from continuous rolls of the material. wrapping; this mechanism applies a blank to each link of the chain in the desired position so that this blank covers the mold defined by the link. So when every link comes next. at the point in the chain path where the product is shaped, the wrapping blank is applied to the product at the same time as it is molded into a dough shape! the application of the blank and the molding are carried out by the same device.

   Thus, results are obtained at the same time and in a single operation, which in older machines of this type required several separate processing operations.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 4>

 tinct and separate; the packaging operation is therefore simpler and takes place at a higher speed than before.



   Along the rear straight end of the chain, between the two turrets, there is a new wrapping mechanism for folding down the edges of the wrapping blank, in order to prepare the sealing operation for this wrapping mechanism. is specially designed to act on a continuously moving package and to ensure that a predetermined edge of the wrapping blank will be the last edge to be folded down, so as to facilitate opening of the sealed package, as one will explain it later.



   One of the aims of the invention is therefore to provide an improved device and method for giving a desired shape to a bulk product and for applying a packaging envelope to this product.



   Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device and method for manufacturing wrapping blanks from rolls of a wrapping material, to give a desired shape to a product for packaging. , and to apply a wrapping blank to it, so that the latter forms an envelope matching the contour of the product; all these operations are carried out at high speed, continuously and fully automatically.



   The invention also proposes to provide an improved device and method for manufacturing a blank.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 5>

 wrap characterized by easy opening.



   The invention also aims to provide an improved device and method for folding down the edges of the wrapping blank, so as to transform this blank into an envelope intended to contain a product.



   Other objects of the invention, as well as the characteristics thereof and the advantages which it provides, will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the appended drawing, in which: FIG. 1 is an elevational view front of the machine; Figure 2 is a graph showing the contours of two cam devices associated with the product shapers; these contours are shown relative to the plane of the associated product shaping line, on the total path of the chain: FIG. 3 is a plan view of the machine; FIG. 4 is a plan view on a larger scale of one of the links in the product forming chain; Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the chain link shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4;

   it shows portions of adjacent links of the chain;

 <Desc / Clms Page number 6>

 Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the wrapping blank manufacturing mechanism; Figure 8 is a detailed and partially cut away view of a portion of the wrapping blank manufacturing mechanism; Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view of the blank slitting device and the pull tab application device; the cut is made along line 9-9 of Figure 8; FIG. 10 is a section, taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 7, of the envelope edge sealing cylinders; Figure 11 is a section, taken on line 11-11 of Figure 8, of the mechanism for manufacturing the wrapping blank; Figure 12 is a section taken on line 12-12 of Figure 7;

   it shows the device for forming the pleat of the wrapping blank; FIG. 13 is a section, taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 3, of the drive device of the device for manufacturing the envelope; Figure 14 is a plan view of a portion of the product forming chain and the cooperating sprocket, which is associated with the product forming turret;

 <Desc / Clms Page number 7>

 FIG. 15 represents in perspective a portion of the product shaping turret, at the location of this turret where the product arrives; FIG. 16 shows in perspective the same turret, at the location thereof where the product is shaped; Figure 17 is a section taken on line 17-17 of Figure 3 of a portion of the product forming turret;

   Figure 18 is a detailed view, taken along the line 18-18 in Figure 7, of the cylinder of the wrapping blank cut. FIG. 19 shows in elevation the mechanism for folding and folding the edges of the envelope; Fig. 20 is a section taken on line 20-20 of Fig. 19 of the envelope edge folding and folding mechanism; FIG. 21 shows a plan of the mechanism for folding and folding the edges of the envelope, a mechanism already represented in FIGS. 19 and 20; Figure 22 is a detailed and large-scale sectional view of the pleat retention mechanism, taken along line 22-22 of Figure 21;

   Figure 23 is a plan view of the envelope sealing turret, with the cover removed; Figure 24 is a section through the envelope sealing turret, taken on line 24-24 of Figure 23;

 <Desc / Clms Page number 8>

 Figure 25 shows in perspective the repackaging ejection mechanism; FIG. 26 is a plan of the mechanism for ejecting the package; FIG. 27 represents the wrapping blank in perspective. It shows the two sheets constituting this blank, these two sheets being spaced apart from one another; Fig. 28 shows the product shaped in the form of a pie, and the wrapping blank partially surrounding the pie;

   Figure 29 is similar to Figure 28, but the rear edge and rear corners of the blank are folded down against the product; Figure 30, which is similar to Figure 29, shows all the edges of the blank folded against the product, except the leading edge; Figure 31, which is similar to Figure 30, shows all the edges and corners of the blank folded against the product; Figure 32 shows in perspective the product wrapped, but in an inverted position with respect to the position shown in Figure 31; Figure 33 is an enlarged sectional view of the wrapper blank taken on line 33-33 of Figure 27; Fig. 34 is a front elevational view showing the application of the wrapping blank to a link in the product forming chain;

   

 <Desc / Clms Page number 9>

 Fig. 35 is a view showing operation, at a later stage of chain movement; it shows the operation of volumetric measurement of the product to be shaped and wrapped; Fig. 36 is an operational view corresponding to a later stage of chain movement; it shows the molding of the product and the concomitant partial application of the casing to the product; FIG. 37 is an operational view, at a stage slightly following that corresponding to FIG. 36; showing how sharp edges are obtained on the shaped product, Figure 38 is an elevational view of operation at a still later stage of chain movement; it shows the operation of the folding mechanism of the rear edge and rear corners;

   FIG. 39 is an operating elevation view of the elements already shown in FIG. 38, at a stage very closely following that corresponding to FIG. 38; it shows how the rear edge and rear corner folding device protrudes beyond the chain links Figure 40 is a plan operation view showing the operation of the rear edge and rear corner folding device in conjunction with the rear edge folding mechanism. maintenance of folds;

 <Desc / Clms Page number 10>

 Fig. 41 is a plan view of operation, at another stage slightly subsequent to the stage of Fig. 40, it shows the functioning of the pleat holder and also that of the folding mechanism of the front edge and the front corners;

   Fig. 42 is an operational elevation view showing the operation of the leading edge retention mechanism.



     GENERAL ORGANIZATION
If we refer in particular to Figures 1 and 3, we see that the machine is supported on a rectangular base 10, which is constituted by two long bars 11 joined together by several spacers 12 so as to constitute for the machine a base in trellis. A vertical cylindrical turret 15 is suitably supported by the pedestal near one end thereof; this turret is the "product shaping" turret; its various operating elements are enclosed by means of a side wall 16 and an upper cover 17.

   Another turret 20 is suitably supported by pedestal 10 near the other end thereof; this turret is the "envelope seal" turret; its operating elements are enclosed by means of a side wall 21 and an upper cover 22. Each of the turrets comprises a device for driving in rotation, constituted by a toothed wheel, described in more detail.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 11>

 far in detail and cooperating with an endless conveyor chain 25; this chain extends between the two turrets and wraps around the outer half-periphery of each turret, on a substantially elliptical path.

   The chain is formed by individual links 26 interconnected; each of these links defines a mold for shaping the product, as will be explained more fully below. A feed passage 27 delivers the bulk product by gravity, from a feed source (not shown), to the front side of the turret 15. A collector 28 of the excess product and an associated screw conveyor. 29 return the excess product 5. power source to use again, so as to avoid wastage.



   Above the leading strand of chain 25 is an assembly 30, which constitutes a mechanism for manufacturing the wrapping blank; this mechanism is mounted on a panel 31 of the frame. This mechanism, which will be described in more detail later, operates to produce a two-ply wrapping blank with sheet material fed from two separate rollers 32 or 32a and 33 or 33a, and to apply each individual wrap blank to the upper face of each chain link, passing underneath this in the direction of the product forming turret.

   Above the rear end of the conveyor chain is an assembly 35, which constitutes a wrapping mechanism for folding the edges of the wrapping blank.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 12>

 on the product, carried by each chain link, progressing towards the turret 20 for sealing the envelope. A package ejection mechanism 40 is disposed above the front run of the chain 25, along the casing manufacturing assembly 30, to eject the completed packages from the line when they are delivered. by the sealing turret 20.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 13>

 



   All the aforementioned assemblies are driven from a common source of energy, consisting of a motor 45, suitably mounted on the base 10 of the machine and coupled with a gear reducer 46, the shaft of which is output drives the chain sprockets 47 and 48. The chain 49, in engagement with the sprocket 47, drives the rotating members of the turret 15 of shaping, which itself drives the chain 25 of the conveyor, at the same time. time that the rotating members of the turret 20 for sealing the envelope. The chain 50, in engagement with the toothed wheel 48, drives the mechanism 30 for manufacturing the wrapping blank, the mechanism 40 for discharging the package and the wrapping mechanism 35.



   The various parts of the mechanism 30 for manufacturing the wrapping blank are shown in more detail in Figures 7 to 13. This mechanism provides the wrapping blank 55 shown in Figures 27 and 33. ; this blank comprises a rectangular section of the sheet material 32, superimposed and joined to a rectangular section of the sheet material 33 of the envelope. The top sheet 32 of the blank 55 is folded back on itself so as to form a double reverse fold, which constitutes a pleat 56 extending over the entire length of the blank; this pleat constitutes a tear strip, making it possible to easily open the resulting envelope.

   A 57 tape of short length

 <Desc / Clms Page number 14>

 gueur, the color of which is distinct from that of the sheets 32, 33 and which forms a pull tab making it possible to grip the strip 56 more easily, is fixed to one end thereof. Near the sides of the pull tab 57, slots 58 are cut in the two sheets 32,33 of the wrapping blank; these slits initiate and direct the tear line, when the tear strip is pulled to open the envelope. The edge 61 and the adjacent corners 62,63 can be regarded respectively as the leading edge and the front corners of the wrapping sheet 32; the edge 64 and the adjacent corners 65, 66 can be regarded respectively as the trailing edge and the sides. rear corners of the wrapping sheet 32, The edges 67,68 are the side edges of this sheet.

   Likewise, the edge 71 and the adjacent corners 72,73 can be regarded respectively as the leading edge and the front corners of the wrapping sheet 33, the edge 74 and the adjacent corners 75, 76 being respectively regarded as the. back edge and back corners of this sheet. Edges 77, 78 are the side edges of sheet 33.



   The sheets 32, 33, from which the wrapping blank is formed, consist, in the present case, of a transparent plastic material, such as for example "Cellophane" or the like, coated on each side with a thermoplastic substance, as per

 <Desc / Clms Page number 15>

 example of "Saran" or a similar material; this thermoplastic substance not only improves the airtightness of the blank and to humidity, but also makes it possible to join together the two sheets and to seal the corners thereof on top of each other by appropriate application of heat and pressure. The two sheets of the wrapping blank are joined together within the pleated area 58, by means of a device which will be described later.

   As seen in Fig. 33, the joined surfaces of the sheets do not encompass the entire width of the pleat 58, but only the intermediate area, located between the pleats defining the edges of the pleat, so as to avoid application of heat and pressure to the folded edges of the pleat.



  Applying heat and pressure to the folded edges of the pleated would flatten them completely and thereby change their crystal structure, reducing their tensile strength, limiting the application of heat and pressure to the area between the folded edges defining pleating, these edges are allowed to retain their tensile strength, so as to improve the tearing action along well-defined tear lines, when the tear strip is torn from the resulting casing , at the time of opening it. The two sheets 32, 33, constituting the blank 55, are also joined together at separate points 79, along their front edges and

 <Desc / Clms Page number 16>

 rear and near their side edges.

   This additional joining of the two sheets 32, 33 prevents separation of these sheets by air currents, while the blank is transported through the successive stages of machine operation, as will be explained later.



   Referring now to Figure 7, it can be seen that the material of the sheet 32 is supplied by a roll carried on a spool 81, mounted on a shaft 82; this reel is wider than the material of the sheet, so as to provide a braking surface, cooperating with a braking device to maintain a correct tension of the web of material as it advances through the mechanism. The braking device comprises a lever 83 carrying a brake shoe 84. This lever 83 is pivotally mounted at 85 on the panel 31 of the frame; it is biased counterclockwise by a spring. 86, so as to apply the brake shoe 84 with friction against the coil 81.

   On leaving its roll, the sheet material 32 passes over a dancing pulley 87, carried on the end of an angled arm 88; this arm is fixed on a rotating shaft 89, mounted in a suitable manner in the panel 31 and carrying an axis 91, as well as an eccentric cam 92, A spring 93, connected to the axis 91, urges the shaft 89 clockwise; this shaft therefore tends to elastically push the pulley

 <Desc / Clms Page number 17>

 dancing 87 upwards, so as to catch up any slack which may exist in the moving sheet material.

   The cam 92 restricts the movement of the brake lever 83 and thus allows the frictional force applied to the spool 81 to be adjusted to a corresponding extent. This arrangement makes it possible to maintain a substantially constant tension in the sheet material, while it progresses through the manufacturing mechanism of the wrapping blank.



  An identical braking device is provided for the roll of the sheet material 33; this device comprises a brake lever 93, a pivot 95, and a spring 96; the sheet material 33 passes over a pulley 97 supported by an arm 98, carried by a shaft 99; this shaft carries an axis 101 and an eccentric cam 102; it is requested by a spring 103 in the opposite direction to that of clockwise, in the example considered here. The rolls 32a, 33a of sheet material are identical to the rolls 32, 33, respectively; they are reserve rolls, which are used when their counterparts have been exhausted.

   Similar braking devices are provided for the reserve rollers; the parts of these braking devices are designated by the same reference numbers, however followed by the suffix "a", as the parts of the material braking devices 32,33. It is therefore of course understood that all references to the treatment of sheet materials

 <Desc / Clms Page number 18>

 32,33 also and respectively applies to the corresponding materials 32a, 33a, since these are intended to be used alternately in the mechanism which will be described.



   The band 32 leaving the dancing pulley 87 passes around an idler pulley 105, then in a pleated forming device (FIG. 12), consisting of plates 107, 108, which respectively have superimposed oblique edges 109, 110 for forming. folds, so as to form the longitudinal pleat 56. The underlying plate 108 has an angular flange by which it is bolted to the panel 31 of the frame. The upper plate 107 is mounted on a support plate 111 , which is bolted in a similar manner to the panel 31; the mounting system of the plate 107 comprises bolts 112 and slots 113, which allow the lateral position of this plate to be adjusted so as to vary the width of the pleat 56.

   On leaving the pleated forming device, the band 32 passes over the idler pulleys 115, 116, then over another idle pulley 117.



   The band 33, leaving the dancing pulley 97, passes around the idle pulleys 118, 119, then over the idle pulley 117, where the paths of the two bands 32, 33 converge; from this pulley 117, the two bands 32,33 advance in superposition one to the other on a common path, to

 <Desc / Clms Page number 19>

 through the other stages of operation of the mechanism 30 for manufacturing the wrapping blank.

   After their passage over the idler pulley 117, the two superimposed bands pass around an idler pulley 121, then over a heated disc 120, which brings together the two sheets by a thermal seal executed along the area of the pleated 56 formed in the strip 32; at the same time, this heated disc 120 fixes on the strip 32 by thermal sealing a short strip 57, which will serve as a pull tab, as already mentioned; several pull tabs are applied, with gaps between them, along the length of the individual wrapping blanks.



   The tape 57, from which the pull tabs are formed, is fed by a spool 122 (Fig. 7); it is pulled, from this coil, through a spring tension adjuster 123, by a measuring cylinder 125 carried by a drive orbrr 126; cr cylinder 125 cooperates with a spring pressure cylinder 127, carried by a pivoting arm 128, so as to advance in a continuous movement the tape through a guide 129, which directs it between two cylinders 130, 135, cooperating to neck by the pull tabs. The cylinder 130, mounted on a shaft 131, carries an insert 132 having a cutting edge 133.

   The cylinder 135 is carried by a hollow shaft 136 rotating around a fixed spindle 137, which is notched along a plane passing substantially through a diameter, so as to

 <Desc / Clms Page number 20>

 forming a vacuum duct extending to a vacuum pump (not shown). The cylinder 135 carries two reciprocated and diametrically opposed members 141; each of these members is heated and comprises a hard metal anvil 142, two cutting members 143 and a vacuum duct 144; each vacuum duct 144 terminates in a vacuum port 145 and communicates with a vacuum duct. vacuum 146, extending through cylinder 135 and shaft 136, so as to communicate with vacuum duct 138 during each half-turn of the roll.



  It should be noted that the surfaces of the rolls 130, 135 are spaced apart from each other so as to advance the tape 57 in a continuous movement between these rolls. The outer surface of the inserts 141 is slightly raised so as to bring the anvil 142 into cutting contact with the cutting edge 133, in order to cut a certain length of the tape 57 for application, as a pull tab. , on the wrap blank.

   The cylinder 135 is driven at an angular speed equal to half that of the cylinder
130, but at the superficial speed of the marl so that, for each half-turn of the roll 135, a certain length of the tape is cut at the instant when the vacuum port 145 communicates with the duct vacuum 138, to hold the piece of tape on the surface of the eye insert for approximately half a turn of cylinder 135.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 21>

 



   The tape 57 is of a thermostable substance, for example of paper or the like; it is covered on one side by a layer of a thermoplastic material, for example a layer of "Saran" or a similar material; this thermoplastic coating is on the surface opposite to the surface in contact with the insert 141. The word "thermostable" used here characterizes a material which does not become plastic under the action of heat. The piece of tape, cut to the desired length, is then entrained by an insert 141 from the cut point to a point where the pull tab is brought into contact with the sheet 32; at this point, communication is cut between the vacuum port 145 and the vacuum duct 138.

   The thermoplastic coating of the tape is heated during its movement, so that when the tab is brought into contact with the sheet 32 and when the vacuum maintaining the tab on the insert 141 is removed, the tab adheres to the sheet 32 , on the pleated 56 thereof. At the same time, the cutters 143 cut the two sheets 32, 33, so as to form the slits 58 extending on either side of the pull tab, as explained above.



   The heat seal disc 120, which can be clearly seen in Figure 11, is contained in an assembly, comprising a heater disc 148 and insulation discs 149; this assembly is mounted on a shaft in-

 <Desc / Clms Page number 22>

 train 151, supported by a sleeve 152. This sleeve 152, forming a bearing, is supported by two pivoting arms 153, carried by a sleeve 154, mounted with play on a drive shaft 155. An axis 156 ,. extending between the two arms 153, is articulated on the plunger 157 of a pneumatic drive cylinder 158 (FIG. 7), suitably fixed on the panel 31 of the frame.

   A brush assembly 161, cooperating with an assembly 162 of slip rings carried by the shaft 151, is mounted on the inner arm 153, on the inner side of the panel 31; these two assemblies 161, 162, complete an electrical circuit of the heating elements contained inside the heating disc 148. A sheet guide 164, carried by a pivoting shaft 165, is disposed on each side of the disc. 120 heat sealing (Figures 8 and 9); each guide 164 is curved in an arc concentric with the disc 120 and supports the sheets during the heat sealing operation; the upper ends of the guides 164 rest on the pivoting arms 153. A support disc 168, carried by a driven shaft 170, cooperates with the heat sealing disc (FIG. 8).

   The pressure exerted on the sheet material by the heat-sealing disc 120 and the backing disc 168 together seals the pleats, constituting the pleat of the sheet 32, while joining the sheet 32 together. and sheet 33; these sheets were heated by

 <Desc / Clms Page number 23>

   contact with the disc 120; pressure is also used to firmly join the pull tab 57 to the pleated; it should be noted that pressure is applied to the pleated area, between the edges thereof, for the reasons indicated above. A device (not shown) is provided for operating the pneumatic pressure device. drive 158, each time the mechanism is stopped, so as to prevent overheating of the sheet in contact with the disc 120;

   the pneumatic device 158, when it is so. actuated, rotates the support arms 153 down and lowers the disc 120, while the guides 164 rotate counterclockwise and keep the sheet out of contact with the heated disc 120 , the support disc 168, and also the heated report6 member 141 of the roller 135, while the mechanism is stopped.



   From the heat seal disc 122, the two sheets 32,33 are pulled around an edge seal cylinder 169; this cylinder is mounted on a driven shaft 170, as seen in Figure 10. The cylinder 169 carries, near each of its ends, an added and raised member 171, which is heated. A pressure cylinder 174 cooperates with cylinder 169; it is carried by a shaft 175, mounted in bearings 176, which can slide vertically in appropriate notches in the frame, under the control of an eccentric cam 177 with control

 <Desc / Clms Page number 24>

 manual.

   The cylinder 174 cooperates with the inserts 171 of the cylinder 169, so as to apply a pressure to the sheets 32, 33 and thus to seal these sheets together in zones, which will constitute the edges of the re-enveloping blanks, as is done. will explain it further,
From the edge-sealing cylinder 169, the sheets 32, 33 pass around a measuring cylinder 184 carried by a shaft driving 185. A pressure cylinder 188, mounted on a shaft driving 190, cooperates with the cylinder. The surface of the measuring cylinder 184 is preferably knurled, and the surface of the pressure cylinder 188 is formed by an elastic material, for example, polyurethane or the like.

   The two rolls tightly squeeze the sheet material and serve to pull the sheets 32,33 from their supply reels, to deliver them to the device responsible for cutting them to measured lengths, so as to form a blank. wrap. The sheet cutting device comprises a cylinder 192 (FIG. 18) mounted on a shaft 193, carried in bearings 194 loaded by springs; this cylinder 192 comprises an insert 195 with a cutting edge.



  A cylinder 198, carried by a driven shaft 200, cooperates, by serving as an anvil, with the cut-off cylinder 192. The two cylinders 192,198 allow the sheets 32,33 delivered by the measuring cylinder 184 to pass freely between them; the leaves are severed, when the cutting edge of '

 <Desc / Clms Page number 25>

 the member 195 engages by rotating with the anvil surface of the cylinder 198.

   As can be seen in FIG. 18, the member 195 with the cutting edge is located in coincidence with the sheets 32, 33, so as to cut them along a transverse line substantially coinciding with the sheet.
 EMI25.1
 edge E1v8nt drIll !. 'PfilttÇ de tirElg (' '17. Elîo ulrtriéuté, or 1r cutting edge 1 is not continuous; it is interrupted at two separate places, so as to leave two narrow parts uncut 202, which are then unraveled and which temporarily prevent the severed edge of the sheet material to adhere to the cutting cylinder.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 26>

 



   From the cutting cylinder, the sheet material moves between an application cylinder 204, hogged by a shaft 205, and two laterally spaced snap rollers 206; there are suitable guides (not shown) for the sheet material here; only one of the cylinders 206 has been shown in FIG. 7.



  The surface of the application cylinder 204 is formed by an elastic substance, for example polyurethane or the like, which rests on the upper surface of the links 26 of the conveyor chain, so that this cylinder is driven by the chain. 25; cylinder 204 serves to apply and flatten a covering blank over the surface of each link.

   The speed of the conveyor 25 is slightly greater than the speed of advance of the sheet through the manufacturing mechanism 30, the latter speed being determined by the measuring cylinder 184; as a result, when the almost completely severed wrapping blank is accelerated by the application cylinder 204 and the rollers 206, the narrow connecting portions 202 are torn so as to completely sever the front portion of the material. sheet, constituting a single wrapping blank.



   FIG. 13 shows the device for driving the various driven rolls of the mechanism 30 for manufacturing the wrapping blank;

 <Desc / Clms Page number 27>

 the power required for this device is derived from the roller chain 50, which passes around a toothed wheel 210, so as to drive, via a shaft 211, a bevel pinion 212; this pinion 212 meshes with another bevel pinion 213, mounted on a shaft 214; this shaft also carries a toothed wheel 215. This toothed wheel 215 drives, by means of idler gears 216, 217, 218, a gear train comprising the toothed wheels 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225 and 226; among these wheels, the wheels 222 and 225 are idle wheels.



   The toothed wheels 220,221 are mounted respectively on shafts 193, 200, to drive the cooperating cutting cylinders 192 and 198. The toothed wheels 224, '223 are respectively mounted on shafts 190,185, to respectively drive the cooperating cylinders 188,
184 sheet measurement. The toothed wheel 226 is mounted on a shaft 170 to drive the cylinder 169 for sealing the edges of the wrapping blank. The tree
200 also carries a pulley 228, around which passes a drive belt 230. This belt also passes around a pulley 231, mounted on a shaft 155, then around a pulley 232 mounted on a shaft 131, then @ around an idle pulley 233, and finally returns to pulley 228. Shaft 131 carries the

 <Desc / Clms Page number 28>

 cylinder 130 for cutting the pull tab.

   A drive belt 235, tensioned between a pulley 236 of the shaft 155 and a pulley 237 of the shaft 151, drives the heat sealing disc 120. A toothed wheel 240, mounted on the shaft 131, meshes with a toothed wheel 241 integral with a pulley 242, around which passes a drive belt 243. This belt passes around idler pulleys 244, 245, and 246, then on a pulley 247 mounted on the shaft 136, and then returns to the pulley 242 via an idle pulley (not shown), mounted with play on the shaft 131.



  The shaft 136, on which the pulley 247 is fixed, drives the anvil cylinder 135 for cutting the pull tab.



  The shaft 136 also carries a toothed wheel 248, which drives a roller chain 249, passing around a toothed wheel 251 fixed on the shaft 126; this shaft carries and drives the measuring tape cylinder 125 providing the pull tab. It can be seen from the above that the casing-making mechanism 30 operates continuously to draw the sheet material 32 and 33 from the feed rollers, to form a pleat in the sheet 32, to seal the two sheets together. along the pleated area, while applying thereon a certain length of tape intended to constitute a pull tab, seal the two sheets together

 <Desc / Clms Page number 29>

 some places, which become the edges of the wrapping blank, precisely cut the measured lengths of the sheet material,

   so as to constitute individual and separate wrapping blanks, and to apply a blank to each link 26 of the conveyor chain 25.



   CONVEYOR CHAIN
The conveyor chain 25 is formed of several links 26 interconnected; as seen in detail in Figures 4, 5 and 6, each link is formed by a molded part 255, which has a raised circular boss 256; plate 258, horizontal and substantially rectangular, is fixed by means of screws 257 on the upper surface of this boss 256. The molded part 255 has a vertical circular bore, in which is fitted an insert 259, the inner surface of which defines a cavity cylindrical molding, intended to form a cylindrical paste, as will be explained more fully a little later. A corresponding circular opening is formed in the plate 258, the interior surface of which is flush with that of the insert 259.

   The molded part 255 has an extension 261 which tapers outwards, in the vertical bore of which a bearing 262 is fitted.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 30>

 



  At its opposite end, the molded part 255 is forked, so as to form two spaced extensions 264, each of which is provided with an attached bearing 265. The extension 261 of a molded member 255 fits between the spaced extensions 264 of the adjacent molded member, the two molded members being hinged to each other by means of a pin 266. Note that the front and rear edges of the plate 258 converge inwardly from the center of this one; a clearance is thus obtained between the plates of the adjacent links, when the transporter follows a precise path around the turrets 15 and 20, as will be explained later.

   Two discs 268, formed by a substance having a natural affinity for the material of the wrapping blank, are embedded in the upper surface of the plate 258, along the front edge of this plate; these discs are made of polyvinyl chloride or the like, which tends to adhere to the "Saran" coating of the wrapper blank, and thus serve to frictionally retain the wrapper blank on the plate 258 , while it moves towards the turret 15 for shaping the product.

   The various links 26, formed as explained above, constitute the endless conveyor chain 25, which cooperates with toothed wheels forming part of the turret 15 of

 <Desc / Clms Page number 31>

 shaping of the product and the casing sealing turret; each link, leaving the application cylinder 204 of the blank manufacturing mechanism 30, carries with it a wrapping blank (not shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6), which rests on the plate 258, at the other end. above the cylindrical mold cavity of each link, ready to receive a load of the product; load will be molded, wrapped and sealed inside the casing, in the following positions of the conveyor chain path.



   PRODUCT FORMING TURRET
The details of the product forming turret 15 and the parts associated with this turret are clearly shown in Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17. Referring to Figure 17, it is seen that this turret includes a rotating assembly. and a stationary assembly, which are supported by a vertical shaft 270, suitably mounted in the machine frame and supported by a stationary sleeve 71 at its lower end. The rotary assembly of the turret 15 is carried by a sleeve 272, rotatably mounted on the axis 270 by means of ball bearings 273, 274, 275; side flanges 276, 277, 278 are fixed to this sleeve.

   Two 280 drive cogwheels,

 <Desc / Clms Page number 32>

 driven by two chains 49 (Figure 1), are bolted to the lower flange 276. A welded part is bolted to the flanges 277,278; it comprises an inner wall 282, a disc disposed laterally 283 and an outer wall 284; an outwardly extending shelf 285 is attached to the upper end of wall 284; the different parts of the welded part are suitably interlocked, so as to form a rigid structure in one piece.

   A series of plates 287 (Figure 14) are bolted to a spacer ring 286, mounted below the disc 283; the outer edges of these plates 287 have semicircular notches spaced apart, so as to define between them intermediate teeth 288 of a chain wheel. These cutouts can accommodate the dircular boss formed in each link 26 of chain 25 and thus serve to effectively transform disc 283 into a chain sprocket for driving chain 25.



   An annular plate 290 is also supported by the disc 283; in: this plate are fitted open cylindrical cups 291, the upper edge of which is flush with the surface of the plate 290, and the lower edge of which is slightly apart above the surface

 <Desc / Clms Page number 33>

 of the plate 258 forming part of each link 26.

   The cups 291 have the same internal dimensions as the molding cavities of the links 26; these cups are mounted in vertical alignment with the cylindrical molding cavities of the links; they constitute a volumetric measuring device serving to measure the product which is to be molded in the form of a pie as will be explained later, The plate 290 is used as a filling table, on which the product bulk, which has to be shaped and wrapped, is deposited to fill the measuring cuvettes 291.



   On the shelf 285 of the welded rotary structure is fixed a support sleeve 295; a bush 296 is fitted on the internal surface of this sleeve to guide a shaft 297, slidable vertically and carrying at its lower end a conical plunger 298; there is a plunger 298 for each measuring cuvette 291, with which the plunger is vertically aligned; the maximum exterior dimensions of the plunger are slightly smaller than the interior dimensions of the associated bowl 291.

   A wall 299 rises upward from shelf 285 near the outer edge thereof. the stationary part of the turret structure consists of a welded part, which includes a

 <Desc / Clms Page number 34>

 circular outer wall 301, joined to a horizontal disc 302, fixed on a sleeve 303 supported by the upper part of the shaft 270.

   This structure is suitably braced so as to have suitable strength and rigidity. Two spaced rails 305 are attached to the outer surface of wall 301; these rails constitute a cam track and receive between them a support roller 306 fixed to the upper part of the shaft 297,
The rails 305 control the vertical movement of the plunger 298, while the rotating part of the turret, part mounted on the sleeve 272, rotates relative to the stationary structure of the turret, including the wall 301 supported by the stationary sleeve 303 Plunger 298 is shown in Figure 17 in its uppermost position, which it occupies during the filling and measuring operation, before being actuated downward to shape the product as will be explained. further.

   The extreme upper part of each sliding shaft 297 is forked so as to receive a connecting rod 308 connecting this shaft to an adjacent shaft 297, as can be seen in FIG. 16; the connecting rods 308 are split so as to receive threaded pins 309, which articulate the connecting rods, at each of their ends, on a sliding shaft 297. From this

 <Desc / Clms Page number 35>

 In this way, the connecting rods 308 are connected to pairs of adjacent shafts 297, in order to prevent these shafts from rotating about their longitudinal axis and thus to keep the rollers 306 engaged with the cam track defined by the rails 305.



   As also seen in Figure 17, each link 26 of the conveyor chain 25 carries a piston 311, slidably mounted in the cylindrical molding cavity of each link. This piston 311 comprises an extension block 312, constituted by a material with a low coefficient of friction and comprising a convex lower surface, able to move along a cam track 313 supported by threaded studs 314, locked in a high position adjustment on a horizontal table 315 of the frame; this table 315, which is part of the frame of the machine, extends around the entire machine, below the chain of links 26.

   The height of the cam track 313 is adjusted to different values at the different stages of the path of the chain depending on the operation to be performed, so as to control the rise and fall of the piston 311, which can be considered as a false bottom of the chain. cylindrical mold of each chain laillen.

   The chain link 26 (figure 17) is supported, on the inside, by the plates 287 defining

 <Desc / Clms Page number 36>

 a toothed wheel, The outer edge of each link 26 is supported by an assembly of support and guide bars 316;

   this assembly is fixed on the table 315 and arranged so as to present an inner shoulder, on which rests the outer and lower corner of the molded part 255 forming part of the link 26, the assembly of the bars 316 extends all around the machine, coinciding with the path of the chain, so as to guide and support the links 26 on the entire circuit of the endless chain,
Figure 15 shows in perspective a portion of the turret 15 for shaping the product, at the location where this turret receives the product, It can be seen in this figure, at this location, that the plungers 298 are in their most position. high.

   The product (not shown in this figure), which has to be shaped and wrapped, is delivered from the supply corridor 27 in the form of a relatively stable current to the table. filling 290; it is delivered in a sufficient quantity to fill at least each volume measuring cuvette 291, at the moment when the latter passes by turning the filling station.

   At the post there is an enveloping blank (not shown in FIG. 15), which covers each plate 258 with an associated link; at this position, the piston (not shown in figure 15),

 <Desc / Clms Page number 37>

 carried by each link, is in a high position, in which its upper surface is flush with the surface of the plate 258; the piston thus in reality constitutes a bottom of the measuring cuvette, which fills with the product.



  To prevent the bulk product from spilling over the edge of the filling table 290, a retaining wall 321 is provided near the outer edge of the table; this wall is supported by a support 322, mounted in a suitable manner and carrying a hanging plate 323, partially cut away in the figure and serving to retain the product in the filling station. This station is located just beyond the initial point of tangency of chain 25 with turret 15.



   Figure 16 shows in perspective a portion of the product forming turret 15; portion extends from a point, located approximately 90 in front of the initial point of tangency, to a point near the end-tangent point of the conveyor chain 25. At a point approximately 90 from the initial point of tangency of the chain, on the perimeter of the turret, is a measuring station; at this station is a scraper plate 325, mounted above the table 290 and extending along a cord around the circumference of the table.

   The lower surface of the scraper plate 325 acts as a plow for

 <Desc / Clms Page number 38>

 By diverting the excess product lying on the surface of the filling table into the return passage 28, this return passage delivers the excess product to the associated conveyor 29 of the screw type. Slightly beyond the scraper plate 25 is a rotating brush 326, the axis of which also extends across the filling table, following a chord around the circumference of this table; this brush 326 serves to clean the surface of the table, while performing an accurate volumetric measurement of the product contained in each measuring cuvette 291.

   Brush 326 is supported by blocks 327 mounted on legs 328, which are adjustably attached to mounting shelf 329, so as to allow the height of brush 326 to be adjusted, to determine the amount of. product retained in each measuring cup 291. Brush 326 is driven by a flexible shaft 330, coupled in some suitable manner with motor 45. While the turret continues to rotate beyond it. from the measuring station, where the brush 326 is located, the cam track 305 begins to tilt downwards enough to lower the pins; - geurs 298.

   These plungers, thus drawn down, enter the bowls 291 and entrain the measured load contained in the bowls; this load is thus pushed into the mold cavity formed in, hes

 <Desc / Clms Page number 39>

   each associated link 26; at the same time, the gliders weigh the enveloping blank located under the measured load of the product in the slap mold. At this time, the piston 311, constituting the false bottom of the mold, 1 .été 'lowered to allow the entry of the load into the mold;

   Char ;; 0 is compressed in the mold, between the piston and the plunger, so as to take the form of a cylindrical pate. While the plunger is onacre at its lowest position, at a slightly lower standee from the rotation of the tower., 11--, the piston is
 EMI39.1
 Lé: -> r (;: t11t .flc "," 'é to, m "\. n2:! 11; .1P) .Ili1,.).,.:' - i '-! 1 (; f5' ., .., ¯ compression on the underside of the pie, in order to form if # = this a lower edge precisely defined such an edge will not be obtained without this slight rise of the piston.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 40>

 



   Figure 2 shows the outline of the path 305 and of the cam track 313 serving to control the vertical movements of the plungers 298 and the piatons 311 respectively. The starting point of the diagram of figure 2 is the point of the path of chain, where a wrapping blank is applied to a link of the chain by mechanism 30. At this starting point in the diagram, the line representing cam track 30 (is shown in dashes, because the plungers do not cooperate not at this point with the respective links of the chain and are not aligned with them, until one link arrives at the initial point of tangency to the turret 15.

   During this period, the cam track 305 retains the plunger in its highest position, and the piston, carried by the link, is similarly retained in a high position, up to the initial point of tangency. An instant before the point 90 past the initial point of tangency, cam track 305 tilts steeply downward to its extreme lower position, at a point about 1400 from the initial point of tangency. During this same period of time, the cam rail 313 tilts downward to also reach its extreme low position at about 140 from the initial point of tangency,
At about 150 from this point, the cam-rail 313 rises slightly so as to precisely define the lower edge of the block,

   as already indicated. A short time avanz

 <Desc / Clms Page number 41>

 the point located 180 from the initial point of tangency, ie downstream :; the end point of tangency of the chain with respect to the hold, the cam track 305 tilts upwards, so as to return each plunger to its highest position at approximately the end point of tangency , the rail-cam @ rence to rise gradually to raise the corresponding piston, so as to raise the pie to a height suitable for the folding mechanism of the edges of the casing, as will be explained later. .

   While the product charge is compressed in the mold of a chain link 26 by the cooperating forces exerted by a pisson 311 and a plunger 298, a wrapping blank is laturally partially applied over 10 formed pie, below. this one, and it is folded around the sides of the pie;

   so as the plunger begins to rise and the pie moves away from the shaping turret 15, the edges and corners of the wrap blank extend upward, above the surface of the chain link 26, As the pie advances toward the wrapper mechanism 35, which folds the vertical edges and corners of the casing blank over the top surfaces of the pie, thereby forming a wrap in the shape of a pie. iris diaphragm, con we'll explain.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 42>

 



  Envelopment Mechanism
Figs. 19 to 22 show the wrapping mechanism 35 loaded -, - folding down the vertical edges and corners of the wrapping blank, after shaping the product. This mechanism 35 is driven from the motor 45 . and the gear reducer 46, by means of the two roller chains 50, which pass around two wheels. entered 335, carried by the lower end of a vertical bar 336, journaling in a
 EMI42.1
 ?. 1..a r ': "T'tort 337, -en-' in a table 315 of the frame.

   This tree '3'f-C r;: or-t une! ., vntée J40; around which passes a '': n. <. 341, -lui rH ::! ':' Also on a toothed wheel 342 per- té *;: ';: J' the axis',. R4mity lrr,: t.'iei1re of a shaft 343. As one see it: cur Ip 'figure 2Ù,'. ' shaft 343 journals in a 1G 3 block: 'port µj> -'> Mowing in table 315; the upper end of this shaft 3it) pr r; .a .n bevel gear) 46 meshing with uc 4.tr pigncn 7 "". , r: - 3: t7 nee on a tree 348. In s' é- ben <. , up to the. wheel; toothed 340, the ohatne 34l (figure PI) r-asp around a toothed idler 351, carried by .'F: lower v rnit of a journaling shaft in a block do p '.: pport 35'. The shaft 348 drives, via a friction clutch 354, a shaft 355 journalling in a support block 356, mounted in a vertical panel 357 of the frame.

   The outer end of the shaft 355 carries two toothed wheels 358, around which two chains pass

 <Desc / Clms Page number 43>

 360 with rollers, These chains 360 also pass around a toothed idler 361 (figure 19), then around another idler toothed wheel 362, to return, by their lower strands, to the toothed wheels of drive 358 j these chains 360 also mesh along their lower strands, with two small idler sprockets 363, 364. All idler sprockets 361 to 364 are suitably mounted in the vertical panel 357 of the frame.

   Several devices for folding or folding the edges of the envelope. Are attached to the chains 360, at regular intervals; each of these devices includes a trailing edge folding finger 366 and a bevelled sole 367 for gathering and folding down the rear corners of the wrapping blank. The devices, each constituted by a finger 366 and a sole 367, are spaced on the chains 360, at intervals corresponding to the length of each chain link 26; the chains 360 are driven at a speed slightly higher than that of the conveyor chain 25 including the links 26.

   Consequently, when these folding devices are on the lower links of the chains 360, they protrude sharply from the pie and the wrapping blank carried by each link 26; thus, the finger 366 folds towards down the rear edge of the wrap blank, while sole 367 brings together the rear corners of the blank to fold them down

 <Desc / Clms Page number 44>

 also downwards, with the trailing edge, superimposed on the upper surface of the pâté.

   Fold retaining devices cooperate with the folding devices; we will describe them later; they serve to temporarily hold the rear edge and rear corners folded down, after each finger 366 and each sole 367 have reached the end of the lower end of the chains 360; they are raised and away from the block, when they pass around the toothed wheel 358.



   The fold-holding devices include a double roller chain 370, which is driven by a double toothed wheel 371 carried by the upper end of the shaft 336; the chain 370 passes around a double idler toothed wheel 372 carried by a journaling shaft in a bearing 374, mounted in the table 315 of the frame. An arm 375 is articulated, at one of its ends, on the links of the chain 370 by pivots 373 (figure 22) at intervals along this chain, while its other end carries a roller oonic 376 fixed on said arm by a pin 380. The roller 376 moves in a V-shaped ohemin-oame, which is initiated by the bevelled edges of the plates 377, 378, both fixed on a plate support 379.

   A blade 381, projecting outward, is securely attached to the arm 375; 381 blade and arm
375 constitute a bell return, which can be actuated around two separate pivot axes. In figure 21.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 45>

 line 382 represents the path of guide roller 376.



   / 382 It should be noted that the cam track extends, on the inner strand of chain 370, parallel to the path thereof. On the contrary, on the outer strand of chain 370, the cam track 382 deviates from parallelism with this chain when it leaves the toothed wheel 371 and when it approaches the toothed wheel 372 it coincides with the path of the cat. - do 370 on a portion of the outer strand thereof. This divergence between the path of the cam track and the path of the chain makes it possible to articulate the blade 381 so that it extends outward in a straight line, transversely to the path of the links 26, up to a position in which it covers and holds down the edges and corners of the blank, which have been folded down by finger 366 and sole 367.

   The blade 381, which is driven at the same speed as the links 26; maintains the same position until link 26 reaches the front edge and corner retainer, at which time blade 381 is retracted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of links 26 , due to the diverging paths of the cam track 382 and the chain 370, as the blade approaches the toothed wheel 372.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 46>

 



   The device for folding down the front edge and the front corners of the blank comprises a casing 385, which covers the links 26 and has edges 386, 387, staggered inward and terminating in a long slit 388. The edge 386 serves to fold back towards the front outer corner of the blank, and edge 387 performs the same function for the front interim corner of the blank. The leading edge of the blank, at least the central part of this edge, is finally folded down when it reaches the end of the long slit 388.

   It should be remembered that the front edge of the blank is the edge on which the pull tab 57 has been applied, as explained with reference to FIG. 27, this ratte 57 is applied to the pleated 56, which extends on the along the axis of the wrapping blank. Accordingly, by virtue of the structure of the casing 385, the area of the blank corresponding to the draw tab is the last portion of the blank. be 'folded down, over the other folds, so as to easily access the pull tab to subsequently open the envelope.



   To be certain that the edge of the blank, on which the pull tab is fixed, will not be accidentally folded down prematurely, a retainer is provided to maintain the section of the front edge, corresponding to the tab. draft, and to prevent this seotion from being folded down before every

 <Desc / Clms Page number 47>

 other edges and corners of the wrap blank. This retainer is driven by a roller chain 390, which passes over a toothed wheel 391 of the shaft 348 and over a toothed wheel 392, carried by the lower end of a shaft 393.

   Shaft 393 is suitably journalled in a support panel 395 forming part of the frame; it carries at its outer end two toothed wheels 396, around which pass two chains 397. These chains 397 also pass around idle toothed wheels 398, 399, mounted in a suitable manner on the panel 395; they carry, at intervals corresponding to the pitch of the links 26, bent fingers 401, on each of which is mounted a protruding retaining member 402, FIG. 19; of an elastic material, for example a rubber tube or the like.

   The chains 397 are driven at the same speed as the links 26; the fingers 401 pass over the lower strands of the chains, the retaining members 402 engage the front edge of the blank, in the zone of the pull tab,
 EMI47.1
 1% f% t front corners of the blank are turned back towards 1. Ç. y n b t 3B7 of the envelope 385; the retaining member T, ra.n, t3¯ ieale the central zone of the avar edge F - ':' pl .i; slit 388, so as to ensure that br * sce4 dy blank, corresponding to the pull tab, 13 will be very bottom ^ the last to constitute the fold ex 'c, 7.anyeloppement iris of the blank. bzz

 <Desc / Clms Page number 48>

 421 can slide vertically on inserts of support 424, fixed on the sleeve 411.

   Two drive shafts 425, one of which is shown in Fig. 24, are mounted in toothed disc 415 and extend upwardly through bearings carried by disc 420; these drive axes serve to rotate the disc 420 at the same time as the toothed disc 415.



   Several heated platen assemblies are mounted on the periphery of the outer edge of disc 420; these assemblies are spaced at intervals corresponding to the intervals between the links 26 of the chain 25. Each chainring assembly comprises a mounting plate 431, an isolation disc 432, a heating disc 433 and a tray 434 envelope sealing. The elements of this assembly are bolted together to form a block; the assemblies are secured in recesses in disc 420 by means of screws 435, which are screwed into disc 420 and carry springs 436, urging the assembly downward against the surface of disc 420.



   Each heating disc 433 contains electrical resistance elements, which are connected by wires 437 to an electrical device 438 for controlling the temperature; this device 438 is connected by a cable 439 to an assembly 441 of brushes cooperating with an assembly 442 of slip rings, the assembly 442 is mounted on the part.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 49>

 upper part of the welded structure 406 supporting the shaft 405; it is connected to a source of electrical energy; the brush assembly 441 is secured to the flange 413.



  The two assemblies 441, 442 respeotively brushes and slip rings are contained in two capacities. cup-shaped 443 and 444, which are nested one inside the other. The capacity 444 is fixed on the welded structure 406, while the capacity 443, reversed with respect to the capacity 444, is fixed on the collar 413.



   When each link 26 of the chain 25 reaches the initial point of tangency to the toothed disc 415, the packaging carried by the link is located under one of the heat-sealing plates 434; thus, as the link moves over the outer half of the periphery of the sealing turret, heat is applied to the folded edges of the wrapping blank, under appropriate pressure and for an appropriate time, so that the folded edges of the blank are welded together and thus effeotuent the sealing of the product enclosed in the envelope. The pressure with which the package is applied against the heated platen is determined by the height of the cam track 313 acting on the piston 316.

   As can be seen with reference to Figure 2, the cam track 313, immediately after the initial point of tangency to the turret, rises slightly so as to press the edges.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 50>

 folded back of the envelope against the associated heated plate 434. When a link of the chain approaches the end point of tangency to the sealing turret, the oame path 313 descends slightly so that, at the instant when the chain of conveyor and toothed wheel diverge, the wrapped product is no longer pressed strongly against the heated plate.

   This prevents the folds of the envelope from being stained by the heated plate, so that the latter continues its circular path r. moving away from the transport chain. The sbllicitation force, provided by the springs 46 can be adjusted, so as to precisely adjust the bssion applied by the plate.



   In order to avoid overheating of the folds of the envelope during stopping of the machine, the product lying epcore on the conveyor chain, a device is provided for lifting the support disc 420 of the heated plate in order to remove applying heat and pressure to each package. This device for lifting the disc 428 comprises a gas-impermeable balloon or bellows 450 in the space between the upper end of the shaft 405 and the cover 422 of the sleeve 421; this bellows 450 rests on the extension of the cap 412 upwards.



  A pipe 452, connected to a source of compressed air, communicates with the bellows 450 by means of a ball-joint coupling 451. Each time the machine is stopped, a

 <Desc / Clms Page number 51>

 
As can be seen in Fig. 20, a device is provided along the entire length of the strand of the conveyor chain 25; between the turret 15 and the turret 20, to support the inner side of each link of this chain} this device which is analogous to the device 316 described above and supporting the outer side of the links comprises an assembly of bars 403, which defines a support step of the inner edge of the molded organ 255 of each link;

   this assembly thus serves to guide and support the links of the chain, in cooperation with the assembly of bars 316, so as to maintain the conveyor chain in precise alignment and at the height necessary to cooperate with the mechanism of wrap described above.



   When the leading edge of the wrapping blank has finally been folded down, the folded edges are pointed in this folding condition by the wrap 38 (, which covers the links 26 of the chain 25 and which runs along of the path of the chain, up to the initial point of tangency of the latter with the turret 20 for sealing the casing.



   Envelope sealing turret
The envelope sealing turret is shown in detail in Figures 23 and 24. It can be seen on

 <Desc / Clms Page number 52>

 Figure 24 that the structure of this turret is mounted on a vertical shaft 405 fixed in a suitable manner on the base of the machine; this shaft 405 comprises a welded vertical and.cylindrical structure 406, in which the lower part of the shaft 405 is fitted. A sleeve 411 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the shaft 405 by means of ball bearings 407 , 408, and 409; uncha- skin 412, carrying a vertical and cylindrical extension, is fixed across the upper end of this sleeve.



  A welded structure is supported by flanges 413, 414 fixed to the rotary sleeve 411; this welded structure comprises a horizontal disc 415, on the outer edge of which are fixed plates 416, similar to the plates 287 of the mechanism of the turret for shaping the product (FIG. 14); these plates 416 have a scalloped edge, which engages the molded members 255 of the links 26 of the chain, they therefore have teeth, and the disc 415 is thus in reality a toothed wheel on which the conveyor chain 25 passes. This chain 25 , being driven by the toothed wheel of the turret 15; drives the toothed wheel 415 of the casing turret, rotating it around the shaft 405.



   Another separate welded structure is also supported by shaft 405; it comprises a disc 420 joined to a cylindrical sleeve 421; a cover 422 is attached to the upper end of this sleeve. The sleeve

 <Desc / Clms Page number 53>

 device connects this pipe 452 to the source of compressed air; the compressed air thus enters the bellows 450 and expands it, so as to raise the sleeve 421 and the structure supported by the latter, in particular the disk 420 for mounting the heated plate. The amplitude of the lifting movement of disc 420 is limited by screws 455, threaded into toothed disc 415 and extending upwardly through disc 420; the large head of each screw 455 restricts the upward movement of disc 420.

   In order to fix with precision the lower limit of displacement of the disc 420, when the compressed air supply is cut off and when the machine is to be restarted, spacer blocks 456 are provided, fixed on the underside of the disc 420 and being able to rest on the toothed disc 415, to keep the two discs 420, 415 correctly spaced from one another. The lower surface of each spacer block 456 preferably carries a layer 457 of resilient shock absorbing material so as to absorb shock and prevent vibration, when disc 420 comes loose after cutting the brake. compressed air inlet.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 54>

 



  PACKAGING EJECTION MECHANISM
As each package, carried by a link 26 of chain 25, leaves the end point of tangency of the chain to the sealing turret, Item-ballage is driven by the chain to an ejection station, where there is an ejection mechanism 40 shown in Figures 25 and 26. This ejection mechanism 40 is mounted between bars 16, 462 of the frame; the front ends of these bars support a rotating shaft 463, while their rear ends support a similar shaft 464. A series of chain sprockets 466 are carried by the shaft 463; the shaft 464 carries a series of similar toothed wheels 467.

   Several chains 470 pass around the various pairs of aligned toothed wheels 466 and 467. Scanning bars 471 extend between adjacent chains 470 and are connected to these chains: these bars 471 are staggered across three adjacent paths of shifting; when they are on the lower strands of the chains, they sweep laterally the flat plate 258 of each link 26, thereby engaging a package carried by the link and ejecting it into respective associated discharge lanes 475; this corridor directs the packaging to drawing equipment, which is not part of the invention.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 55>

 yours.

   Each scan bar 471 has a finger 472, which positively stops the movement imparted to the packaging by the associated link 26. The quirky arrangement of the scan bars 471 and the speed of rotation thereof are coordinated. with the speed of the conveyor chain, so that the sweep bar of each of the three adjacent discharge lanes effectively ejects each third package driven by the links 26; in this way, the three scanning bars eject all wrapped and sealed packages into either of the discharge lanes 472.

   The ejection mechanism is driven by a roller chain 477, which passes over a toothed wheel 478 and which is itself driven by a suitable device of chain sprockets and gears; this device, which is not shown in the drawing, is associated with a drive shaft 480 (FIG. 13), which carries a bevel gear 481 in engagement with the bevel gear 212, described above and forming part of the device drive of the manufacturing mechanism of the wrapping blank.



   As seen in Figure 2, the cam track 313 rises slightly, just before the ejection station, so as to slightly elevate the package above the plane of the upper plate 253 forming part

 <Desc / Clms Page number 56>

 of each link 26. Thus, it is certain that each packaging will be completely free from the mold of the associated link 26 and placed above this mold; there will therefore be no obstacle preventing the packaging from being ejected from the chain by the scanning bars 471 described above.

   On leaving the ejection station, the cam track 313 descends slightly so that the associated piston 311, carried by each link of the chain, comes to be substantially flush with the surface of the upper plate 258 of each link, and is thus pr8t receiving a wrapping blank from the manufacturing mechanism and starting a new wrapping cycle.



  OPERATION
The operation of the product shaping and wrapping mechanism will now be briefly explained, with particular reference to Figures 27 to 42, in addition to Figure 2. Figure 34 shows the conveyor chain at a point which may to be considered as the starting point of its endless journey; at this point, the casing blank ablication cylinder 204 applies a blank 55 to the planar top plate
258 of one of the links 26. Note that the blank 55 has been completely separated from the sheet materials 32, 33; the construction of the

 <Desc / Clms Page number 57>

 wrapping blank, referring to figure 27.



  It should be noted that at this point in the path of the chain, the piston 311 is held by the cam track 313 at a certain height, for which its upper surface is substantially flush with the upper surface of the plate 258.



   Figure 35 shows a later stage in the movement of the transport chain, after the corresponding mail 26 has passed through the filling station, where the product to be shaped and wrapped has been spread on the filling table 290; in the position shown in this figure, the product 485, contained in the associated volumetric measurement bowl 291, is leveled by the brush 326, so as to achieve a controlled and precise measurement of the load contained in the bowl. Immediately before the location of brush 326, excess product 485 is scraped off and removed from table 290.

   This stage of operation occurs when the chain link approaches the point 90 beyond the initial point of tangency of the chain with the toothed wheel associated with the product forming turret.



   Figure 36 shows a later stage in the movement of the transport chain. At this point, the product shaping plunger 298 has been driven

 <Desc / Clms Page number 58>

 downward, through the volumetric measuring cup 291, so as to transfer the measured load, together with the underlying wrapping blank 55, into the cylindrical mold of the link 26. It should be noted that 'at this point, the cam track 313 is also lowered so as to lower the piston 311 to receive the load of the product 485; plunger 298 and piston 311 are shown in their lower positions. At this point, the lower edges of the compressed charge of the product are rounded, so that the product 485 does not completely fill the interior of the mold.

   This stage of operation occurs approximately 1400 past the initial point of tangency of the transport chain with the toothed wheel associated with the product shaping turret.



   FIG. 37 represents the position occupied an instant later by the transport chain; in this position the load of product 485 has been completely compressed so as to appear in its final shape of a pie. It should be noted in this figure that the cam track 315 has risen slightly so as to push the piston 311 upwards, which gives a square shape to the lower edges of the block; this action occurs while the plunger 298 is still in its extreme lower position. This stage of operation

 <Desc / Clms Page number 59>

 is carried out just after the point located 1500 beyond the initial point of tangency of the chain with the toothed wheel associated with the turret for shaping the product.

   At this point, the wrapping blank 55 has been partially applied to the pie and is in substantially the condition shown also in Figure 28.



   Fig. 38 shows another further stage in the movement of the transport chain, at the point where the operation of folding the edges of the envelope begins; this operation is performed by the enveloping mechanism. The rear edge folding finger 366 and the rear corner folding sole 367 are shown in this figure in solid lines, just before they catch up with the edges and corners of the blank 55. The dashed representation of the folding finger 366 of the rear edge indicates the initial action of the latter, when it catches the link 26 to bend down the rear edge of the blank 55.



   Figure 39 shows a stage slightly later than that shown in Figure 38; in figure 39, the rear corner folding sole 367 has caught up with the corresponding link 26 so as to gather and fold down the rear corners 65, 76 (figure 38) of the blank 55. It should of course be remembered

 <Desc / Clms Page number 60>

 that the chain 360 is driven at a speed slightly higher than that of the links 26 of the transport chain, so that when the finger 366 and the sole 367 are on the lower end of the chain 360, they catch up gradually link 26 to fold down the rear edge and the rear corners, as has already been explained. At this point the wrap blank has been applied to a degree shown in Figure 29.



   Figure 40 shows the same operation as that shown in Figures 38, 39, but in plan, with a reference to three separate locations of a link 26, to show the progressive action of a finger 366 and a sole 367 with respect to a corresponding link 26.



  The operation of the holding down blade 381 is shown relative to the most advanced link 26 shown in Figure 40. As can be seen, at this stage of the wrapping operation, the trailing edge and trailing corners are folded down, and the blade 381 is projected outwards, thanks to the joints described above, to a downward holding position, between on the one hand the lower surface of the sole 367 and on the other share the folded back edge and folded back corners of the wrap blank.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 61>

 



   Fig. 41 shows the operation, a moment later; at this time, the speeds of the blade 381 and the links 26 are equal and these advance the shaped product to the front corner and front edge flap casing 385. As the shaped product passes the wrapper 385, the edges 386, 387 thereof fold down the respective front corners 63, 62 of the wrapping blank, while the corners and the rear edges are kept folded by the blade. 381.



  At this time, the retainer 402 is located just behind the front edge 61 of the blank and moves at the same speed as the latter, so as to prevent the central part of the front edge 61 from being accidentally folded back at the same time. time as the front corners 62, 63. This stage is the wrapping stage shown in Figure 30.

   The retainer 402 moves through the long slot 388 of the casing 385 until it approaches the end of this slot; at this time, it rises out of the slot to an inactive position, while the blade 381 is simultaneously withdrawn from its downward holding position; central zone of the front edge 61 is then folded downwards, when the developing blank passes through the end of the slot 388 to occupy the position shown in FIG. 31.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 62>

 



   Figure 42 also shows the retaining function of the retainer 402; it shows this function in lateral elevation, when the member 402, driven by the chain 397, maintains the front edge 71 vertically. wrapping blank, while the front corners of it are folded down.



   According to the preceding description of the machine and of the method implemented by means of this ma. China, it can be seen that the invention makes it possible to obtain, for packaging, new results exhibiting numerous advantages. The invention has been described by considering the use of a wrapping blank formed of two layers of a sheet material coated with a thermoplastic substance; of course, however, the same results can be obtained without using a sheet material coated with a thermoplastic substance, if this material is itself formed by a thermoplastic material.

   On the other hand, one can use cover blanks made of a single layer of sheet material and obtain advantageous results with such blanks; in this case, the separate feed and feed device 33 can be omitted.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 63>

 



   A preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, but changes in form and in detail can obviously be made to this embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention.



  The invention is therefore not limited by the particular form and operation described herein.

 

Claims (1)

- CLAIMS - - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - 1 - A method of packaging a product, characterized by the fact that individual wrapping blanks are produced from a continuous sheet material, that these blanks are moved in a continuous flat motion and horizontally along a determined path, that the product to be shaped is placed on the blanks, that the product is compacted to give it a predetermined shape while partially applying the blank around this shape, the edges of the blank are folded in superimposed folds so as to completely envelop said shape, and the superimposed folds are brought together so as to seal the product inside the blank. 2 - Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the compaction of the product is carried out by applying pressure on the opposite sides of the product deposited on the blank, along an axis perpendicular to the plane in which the blank is located. 3 - Process according to claim 2, characterized in that the compaction of the product is carried out by successively applying a force to the opposite sides of the product, along an axis perpendicular to the plane in which the wrapping blank is located. 4 - Process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that after having deposited the product on the blanks, the volume of the deposited product is measured and all the excess product is removed with respect to a predetermined volume. <Desc / Clms Page number 65> 5. A method according to claim 1, substantially as described above with particular reference to Figures 34 to 42 of the accompanying drawing. 6 - A method of manufacturing casing blanks from a continuous sheet material, this method being characterized in that said material is removed from a supply source, which is formed in this material a longitudinal pleated while withdrawing it from said source, that the pleats of the material constituting the pleated are sealed together, that the material is cut into sheets of a measured length, and that the sheets, cut to a measured length, for use as individual wrapping blanks. 7 - Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing of the folds of the material is limited to the zone of the fold between the folds defining the edges of the folds. 8 - Method according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the sheets of a measured length are cut, along a dis- continuous line, in order to incompletely section the measured lengths, and that unloading the lengths measured at a rate greater than that at which the sheet material is withdrawn from the feed source, so as to completely separate each length from the sheet material. <Desc / Clms Page number 66> 9 - Process according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a continuous tape is removed from a power source, that a measured length is cut from this tape, that this length is applied on the pleated and that it is sealed on it. 10 - Method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the sheet material is removed from two separate feed sources and that the longitudinal pleat is formed in one of the two sheet materials , these two separate materials converging to a common path of advance before sealing the pleated. 11 - Process according to claim 10, characterized in that the two separate materials are soelle together, at locations distributed along their outer edges. 12 - The method of claim 6, for manufacturing enveloping blanks, substantially as described above. 13 - A method of packaging a product according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the blanks are formed by a method according to any one of claims 6 to 12. 14 - A method of wrapping a shaped product and partially enclosed in a wrapping blank comprising vertical edges, this process being characterized by the fact that the product and the blank are moved in one movement <Desc / Clms Page number 67> continuous over a determined path, and that a folding device is moved downwards at a speed greater than the speed of movement of the product and along a path parallel to said determined path, so that this device catches up the product moved and folds down the edges and rear corners of the blank, to partially enclose the product. 15 - Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the front edge of the wrapping blank is folded down after having folded down the rear edge thereof. 16 - Method according to any one of claims 14 and 15, characterized by the fact that the rear edge and the rear corners folded down of the wrapping blank are kept down when the folding device ment has become inactive, until the front edges and front corners have been folded down. 17 - Method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the front edge and the front corners of the wrapping blank are folded down after having folded down the rear edge and the front corners. rear corners, and that the edges and the turned-in corners are packed together. 18 - Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the folding of the front edge of the wrapping blank is positively maintained until <Desc / Clms Page number 68> the front corners have themselves been folded down. 19 - A method of wrapping a shaped product, according to claim 14, substantially as described above. 20 - A method of packaging a product, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the edges of the blank are folded back by a method in accordance with any one of claims 14. to 19. 21 - Machine for packaging a product, characterized by the fact that it comprises a conveyor, driven in a continuous movement and able to receive a wrapping blank, which is delivered to the product, of the members driven in synchronism with the conveyor for packing the product into a predetermined shape, while partially applying the blank around this shape, a folding device for shaping the edges of the blank so as to completely envelop said shape in the blank, and a dis - sealing positive to seal the edges of the enveloping blank. 22 - Machine according to claim 21, characterized by the fact that the conveyor extends over an endless path and transports the product to be shaped and wrapped up to successive operating positions with respect to the compression members, to the folding device and the sealing device. <Desc / Clms Page number 69> 23 - Machine according to any one of claims 21 or 22, characterized in that the conveyor comprises a chain formed by individual links interconnected, each link being able to receive on its upper face a wrapping blank and being shaped so as to define a mold, which gives the product to be wrapped in the desired shape. 24 - Machine according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the packing members comprise two members arranged respec- tively on the opposite sides of the conveyor and being able to coincide with a wrapping blank and with the product delivered to this blank, along a portion of the path of the conveyor, the two compaction members being able to be actuated along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor. 25 - Machine according to claim 24, characterized in that the two packing members are driven towards each other to the shaping position of the product, in order to precisely define the two sides of the form of the product. 26 - Machine according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that it comprises a measuring device for measuring the quantity of the product delivered to the wrapping blank. 27 - Machine according to claim 26, characterized in that the measuring device comprises <Desc / Clms Page number 70> an open member in the form of a bowl for containing the quantity of the product to be shaped and wrapped, this opening being driven at the same time as the conveyor, and a device for limiting to a predetermined level the quantity of the product contained in the bowl. 28 - A machine for packaging a product according to claim 21, substantially as described above. 29 - Mechanism for manufacturing envelopment blanks from a continuous sheet material, this mechanism being characterized by the fact that it comprises a device for removing the sheet material from a supply source, a device pleats for forming in the material a longitudinal pleat, a sealing device for the pleats of the pleats, and a knife for forming measured lengths of the material, 30 - Mechanism according to claim 29, characterized in that the sealing device is applied to the pleats of the pleat along an area between the folded edges defining the pleat. 31 - Mechanism according to any one of claims 29 and 30, characterized in that the knife is shaped so as to perform a discontinuous sectioning line, and that a discharge device, driven at a speed greater than the material pulling speed is provided to tear the sheet material right side up <Desc / Clms Page number 71> discontinuities of the cutting line executed by the cutter. 32 - Mechanism according to any one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that it applies to the pleated measured lengths of a tape of a material capable of being sealed by heat, the sealing device sealing this tape with the pleats. 33 - Mechanism according to claim 32, characterized in that the tape delivery device comprises a roller, the surface of which is connected to a vacuum source so as to adhere a length of the tape to the surface of said roller, from the point where that length is cut, to the point where it is applied to the sheet material. 34 - Mechanism according to claim 33, characterized in that the roller comprises a heater which acts on each length of tape, while the latter is moved from the cut-off position of the tape. 35 - Mechanism according to any one of claims 29 to 34, characterized in that it comprises two separate sources of supply of the heat-sealable sheet material, the pleat being formed in one of the two sheets, and the separated sheet materials converging to a common advance path before arriving at the sealer. 36 - Mechanism according to claim 35, <Desc / Clms Page number 72> characterized in that it comprises a sealing device for sealing the outer edges of the sheet materials at separate points along the line of the severing effected by the knife. 37 - Mechanism according to claim 29, for manufacturing enveloping blanks, substantially as described above and shown in the accompanying drawing. 38 - Machine for wrapping a product, according to any one of claims 21 to 28, characterized in that the wrapping blanks are produced by a mechanism according to any one of claims 29. to 37. 39 - Packaging machine characterized by the fact that it comprises a conveyor, driven by a continuous movement to move a product shaped and partly enclosed in a wrapping blank, the edges of which extend vertically in a direction perpendicular to the path / conveyor, a wrapping mechanism which includes a second conveyor extending parallel to the first conveyor and driven at a speed greater than that of the latter, and folding devices carried by the second conveyor to fold down the rear edge of the wrapping blanks while passing the products transported by the first conveyor. <Desc / Clms Page number 73> 40 - A wrapping machine according to claim 39, characterized in that each folding device comprises a finger, for folding down the central zone of the rear edge, and a sole for gathering and folding down the corners. of said trailing edge. 41 - Packaging machine according to any one of claims 39 and 40, characterized in that it comprises downward holding members, which are driven by a third conveyor parallel to the first conveyor and moving at the same speed as the latter, these down-holding members being arranged so as to cover the rear edge and the rear corners of the wrapping blank and to keep them down, after the drawdown have been made inactive. 42 - A packaging machine according to claim 41, characterized in that the downward holding members are articulated so as to move to their holding position in a direction perpendicular to the path of the first conveyor, the displacement of these members being achieved by the relative displacement of two pivot axes, around which each downward holding member can rotate, one of these axes being on the path of the third conveyor, the other axis being on an asymmetric cam track with respect to the third conveyor. <Desc / Clms Page number 74> 43 - Packaging machine according to any one of claims 39 to 42, characterized in that it comprises an envelope for folding down the front corners of the wrapping blank, before the folding of the central part from the front edge of said blank. 44 - Packaging machine according to claim 43 characterized in that it comprises a device for positively preventing the folding of the entire part of the front edge of the wrapping blank, before the folding of the corners. before said blank. 5 - Packaging machine according to any one of claims 39 to 44, characterized in that it comprises a sealing device driven at the same time as the first conveyor, to apply cha- Their and pressure at the edges and folded corners, in order to seal the wrap blank around the product. 6 - A packaging machine according to claim 45, characterized by the fact that the sealing device comprises several heated plates and mounted on a member rotating with the conveyor, and a device for moving this member so as to prevent the application of heat and pressure to the folded edges of the casing blank. 47 - A packaging machine according to claim 39, substantially as described above and shown in the accompanying drawing. <Desc / Clms Page number 75> 48 - Machine for packaging a product, according to any one of claims 21 to 28, characterized in that the folding device conforms to any one of claims 39 to 47.