US2090559A - Wrapping machine - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 17, 1937. o. G. s'rRAuss 2,090,559

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 WRAPPING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 i M? I l u 5 l d y E i, A 17g/j '//l/l/l Il 'M Aug. 17, 1937. O. Q STRAUSS 2,090,559

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Maron 3, 193e 5 sheets-sheet 4 Filed March 3, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 17, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

l being held in place by twisting the mouth thereof about the orange, grapefruit, or other object being treated. None of these devices appear to have considered the problem of arranging the fruit in proper position for ellicient wrapping.

The twist in the wrapping according to prior practice was apt to come at any point on the object. While twisting a single wrapper about an oblate or similar object can be rapidly done by a machine, or manually, nevertheless, it has been found that much difculty frequently arises because of the fact that failure to properly twist the wrapper will cause the latter to leave the fruit or to insecurely cover same. In fact this difficulty has been so well recognized that it has been designated as waddingJ Furthermore, when using twisted wrapping methods the 1 wrapped fruit does not have that well nished appearance which creates appeal to the eye of a prospective purchaser, the value of. such eye appeal being well recognized and much de'- sred in modern merchandising.

One of the aims of this invention, therefore, is to obviate the above difficulty by providing a machine which wraps fruit without twisting of the wrapper and which employs a Wrapper formed of two portions, the portions being secured to each other adjacent their line lof meeting by a glued strip or a strip applied with adhesive or the like.

Another purpose is to create a wrapping machine which employs a wrapper such as tissue or cellophane, and to provide means for withdrawing sheets of such wrapping material from a wrapper feeder and to position two sheets about an object being wrapped.

Other aims and purposes will be apparent from the detailed description hereinafter appearing, when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings forming a part hereof and to which reference is now made, and in whichz- Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing the entire machine which embodies means for feeding the fruit shown partly broken away at the left of the view; also means for` feeding the wrapping gnat-.ferial and for positioning the same about the Fig. 2 is a vertical'sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of the fruit feeding portion of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of the plunger unit of. the machine which forces the wrapper into position within forming cups prior to application of the wrappers to the fruit;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view showing the strip applying unit (in vertical section) located at the exit section of the machine, and operative to apply a glued strip or a strip supplied with adhesive to the wrapped object;

Fig. 6 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of one member of the suction unit which operates to withdraw a wrapper from a wrapper feeding unit, and which receives a single plunger from a plunger unit so that the wrapper may be formed within the concave walls of the forming cups of the suction unit member.

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of asuction chamber which is operatively connected to each of. a series of suction members or cups.

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the rotary i portion of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view :of the bottom or fixed portion of the chamber of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a view taken on the line lI-ll of Fig. 6, showing the suction valve control associated with the suction member of Fig. 6.

Fig. 12 is a rear view of the wrapper holding frame.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational View of the frame of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the strip applying means.

Fig. 15 is an elevational view of the Wrapped and sealed object as it leaves the machine.

The improved wrapping machine may be best described by sub-dividing it into individual units, and it will be understood that while each of these performs a distinctive' operation, nevertheless all are arranged for synchronous operation from a power source and -cooperate with each other to produce a unitary result. By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the fruit feeding and positioning unit has been designed as D, the wrapper holder or container as B, the plunger unit as C, the wrapping unit as A, and the strip applying unit as E. There is one each of units D and E, but there are duplicates of A, B and C which are identified by characters A', B' and C'. Umts A', B' and C' cooperate with units A. B and C and occupy positions which are essentially that of an object and its mirror image. For the sake of clearness a detailed description will be given only of each of umts A, B and C. and it will be understood that A', B' and C' are structural duplicates thereof, cooperating however with each other to produce a single unitary objective. namely, individually wrapped spherical, oblate and similar ob ects.

'ceferring first to unit D which is the fruit feeding and positioning portion of the machine. itA will be seen, Fig. 3, that it is characterized by a framework S, constructed of horizontal beams It, joined to vertical beams II, II', for supporting a pali'. of pulleys I2, I2', mounted for rotation on horizontal axes Il, I3' respectively. The axis I2 of pulley I2 is located vertically above that of axis I2' of pulley I2', and a broad, fiat, inclined endless belt I4 passes over the pulleys. One of the pulleys may be driven from a suitable source of power to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction so that belt Il travels in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3. 'Ihe belt Il is disposed between laterally spaced members I4', which form the sides of a chute, the bottom of which is provided by the belt Il, and the belt Il is provided with a pair of rubber ribs I5, I5' which are suitably secured to the belt and which extend throughout the length thereof. The ribs I5, Il', as is more clearly indicated in Fig. l, are equally spaced from the center of the belt, as well as the lateral edges thereof, and provide a space for maintaining the fruit in the center of 'the chute. It will now be seen that fruit placed upon the belt Il will commence rolling down the belt by the action of gravity in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the belt. 'I'his action tends to spin the fruit suillciently to throw it on its axis in which position it is guided between the ribs Il, I5' to the lower end of the chute centrally thereof.

As the fruit leaves the chute spinning in its axis it passes between a pair of broad, endless idler belts I6, I6', which converge into a substantially V-formation, the mouth of the V being towardthe ribs I5, I5'. 'I'he idler belts I6, I6' pass over freely rotatable pulleys |6'-, IIb, |62, I6a respectively. These pulleys are mounted for rotation on vertical axes as will be understood. While these belts have been described as of substantial V-formation, it will be seen by reference to Fig. ly

that they do not actually touch each other to form an apex, but merely taper as required.

While pulleys I6* and I6 are mounted on stationary brackets, pulleys lib and |61i are journalled on pivoted brackets I1 and IB, said brackets joined to each other by a tension spring I9. When a fruit passes between belts I6, I6' and applies pressure thereto, the belts will diverge adjacent pulleys 'lib and |63 against tension of spring I9, to permit the fruit to pass on, any conventional means being employed, such as stops, to maintain pulleys I6b and |63 in a definite spaced relation when a fruit is not passing between belts i6, I6. With the construction just described the fruit is firmly held in the position in which it leaves inclined belt Il, yet can be freely moved forward in a manner now to be set out.

An endless belt 20 travels in a horizontal plane centrally below belts IS-x I6', that is to say, forms a movable iloor therefor. Endless belt 2l passes over pulleys 2|, 22, mounted on horizontal axes 23, 2l, pulley 2| having a sprocket 25 i'lxed thereto for operation by sprocket chain 26, actuated lthe inner surface of belt 2l.

from a suitable source of power to drive the belt 2l in the direction indicated by the arrow. Cooperating with the belt 2l and positioned thereabove is an inclined endless belt 2l, constructed similar to belt 2l, and provided with spring means 2l which holds a tension pulley 3l in contact with Fingers 3| on belt 2l remove the fruit from the idler belts Il, II'. It will be understood that the spacing of the iingers 2| on the belt 2l is such that the fruit is fed in timed relationship to m9111118 Unit A. Pulley 22 is mounted on a bracket 33 which is freely slidable within support Il secured to the framework S. The yieldable belt construction permits fruit of diiferent sizes to pass freely from the feeder and positioning unit D, yet suiiicient pressure is constantly maintained on each fruit until it leaves said last mentioned unit.

Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, there is shown in some detail the design of unit B, that is, the holder or container adapted to supply wrappers to unit A. As previously indicated, a duplicate B'islocateddirectlyoppositeB,and,asthese are of identical construction, a recital of unit B will sumce. 'Die holder proper comprises essentially a cage I3, made up of individual spaced bars 2l, arrangedto enclose an annular space.` Eachbartlhasarollerllatitstipforthepurpose of retaining wrappers W within the cage, and for releasing a single wrapper when suction is applied to the exposed surface of the latter. A spring actuated follower 31 presses against the bottom of the stack of wrappers W, said follower being secured to a rod 2l' extending through an aperture in a plate 3l hinged at 3l to the cage Il. A snap lock Aor the like 4| holds the lplate 28, said lock permitting the plate to be pivoted about its hinge 30 for withdrawal of follower Il for the insertion of a stack or package of wrappers W within the cage I2. 'I'he cage 32 is rigidly supported on a carriage ll which is reciprocably mounted in a track xed on a supportl2.which in turn has a stop M defining the limit of movement of the carriage to the right as shown in Fig. 12. A coiled spring or the like Il, normally draws the carriage against said stop. Carried by the support I2 is a rotatable pawl Il formed with oppositely extending striking projections I1, Il' for cooperation with a pin Il on the carriage. Pinion 4l imparts rotation to pawl 4l from a suitable source of power for synchronous operation with the rest of the machine. From the above it will be seen that rotation of pawl It causes its projections 41, ll' to alternately strike stop ll, to move the carriage 4l and cage 33 to the left, as seen in Fig. l2, against tension of spring 45, and when the projections ride by the pin Il, the spring forces the cage and carriage back in track 42 against stop M. The limited movement of cage 33 and its wrappers W is essential in that it furnishes a suiiicient time interval for the proper withdrawal of a single wrapper by the suction elements of unit A, to be shortly described. s

Taking up unit C and its duplicate C'. by reference to Figs. 1 and 4, it will be noted that each comprises a supporting frame member Il, Journalling a pair of vertically rotatable shafts 5I and 52, the last mentioned shaft having a driving pinion 53' keyed thereto, which in turn is driven from a motor or other source of power for synchronous operation with the other units. Keyed to the upper end oi' respective shafts Si and I2 above the framework 50, for rotation in a hori-A zontal plane are a pair of sprocket wheels i3 and 75 54, provided with an endless sprocket chain 55. Carried by sprockets 55', suitably supported by links 55"v of the chain 55, are a plurality of spaced plungers 56, each having a rubber head 51 carried by a stem 58, the latter terminating in a downwardly bent track engaging hook 59. Intermediate each head 51 and the bracket 55', carried by the chain link 55", and encircling stem 58, is a compression spring 60. An irregularly l shaped trackway 6| is supported in a plane parallel to, but above the plane of the sprocket wheels, by standards 62 resting on the framework 50. Rotation of shaft 52 by driving pinion 53' causes rotation of the- sprocket wheels 53, 54 and the as- `sociated chain 55 and brings the hook 59 of a plunger stem 58 to the entrance 62 of the trackway 6|. The irregular shape of the trackway causes alternate contraction and expansion of spring 60, and also a relative movement of the rubber head 51 of each plunger toward and away from the trackway, as will be apparent from inspection of Fig. 1. tion of each plunger head 51 it is adapted to enter a forming cup 63 of unit A, as will be seen. Each unit A comprises a supporting frame 64, journalling a pair of spaced vertical shafts 65, 66, the last mentioned shaft having a pinion 61 keyed thereto for operation synchronously with the other units from a suitable source of power. Secured to the upper end of shaft 66 is a sprocket wheel 68 rotatable in a horizontal plane above framework 64, while a similar sprocket wheel 69 is keyed to the upper end of shaft 65. An endless chain 10 embraces sprocket wheels 68 and 69. Situated on the framework 64 within the area enclosed by the chain 10, is an irregular trackway 1|. Also centrally above this area and mounted above the framework 64A is a reducedpressure chamber 12 having a series of outlet pipes 13. The body of chamber 12 rests on and is lrotatable in a Adished stationary bottom 14, a seal being maintained between chamber 12 and bottom 14 by means of oil or other fluid, in the space between flanges 14' and 14" on the bottom 14.` A hollow pipe 15 connects chamber 12 through bottom 14 to a vacuum pump (not shown), which maintains a reduced air pressure within chamber 12 and produces a suction through each of the hollow outlet pipes 13. Secured to and movable with sprocket chain 10 are a series of upright brackets 16, each having a plurality of parallel horizontally extending arms 11, 18 and 19, formed integrally therewith, said arms extending inwardly toward the area encircled by chain 10. Rotatably mounted on a bearing 80, secured to a bracket arm 16, is a forming cup 63 having a substantially hemispher- `ical concave portion 8|. A pair of parallel hollow suction pipes 82, 83 having a hollow connecting pipe section 83', forming a U-shaped pipe assembly, is located at one side of the axis of forming cup 63,'each of pipes 82, 83 terminating in a rubber lip 84.

Movable axially in bearing 80, and in the axis of cup 63, is a pipe 85, similar to pipes 82, 83 and also terminating in a rubber lip 84'. A short hollow pipe section 86 is provided with a valve 81 which cooperates with arm 18 in a manner that will be pointed out shortly. Joining an outlet pipe 13 to an inlet pipe 88 is a flexible hose connection 89, said inlet pipe 88 having a valve 90 for cooperation with arm 19 upon inward movement of the various pipes. Leading from valve 9 0 is a short hollow pipe length 9| operatively connected to pipes 85 and 86. Pipe 85 In the fully extended posi-v has a. downwardly extending hook portion 92 which rides in irregular track 1|. Pivoted at 93 on bracket 11 is a trigger arm 94 which contacts a pin 95, as well as pipe 86. A tension spring 96 tends to maintain contact between trigger 5 arm 94 and pin 95.

As hook portion 92 riding in irregular trackway 1| reaches point 91 in its journey, that is, as it rounds sprocket 69, it, momentarily leaves the Itrackway which is disconnected at this point 1o and," accordingly, pipes 82, 83 and 85 are forced forwardly through action of spring operated trigger 94, pipe being moved centrally through cup 63, and at this moment lips 84, 84' of the pipes contact the outer surface of a wrapper W 15 in cage 33, the latter moving a short distance with cup 63, as set out in the description of unit B. Forward movement of these pipes brings valves 81 and 90 in contact with respective arms 18 and 19 to open said valves, thus permitting 20 suction to be created therethrough, whereby a single wrapperis grasped from cage 33 by said lips and whereby said Wrapper is withdrawn from the cage. As chain 10 continues on its journey hook 92 re-engages in track 1|, withdrawing all 25 pipes to bring the wrapper W to the edge of cup 63, while further movement of the chain brings a forming cup to a position where a plunger head 56 enters the cup, forcing the wrapper to conform to the concaved surface 8| thereof, and 30l simultaneously forcing all pipes rearwardly. This rearward movement operates valve 81 through arm 18 cutting off the suction to pipes 82, 83, but still maintaining a suction in pipe 85, which holds the wrapper in its conforming 85 position to concave surface 8| of cup 63, even after the plunger has been withdrawn from the cup. In this condition two cups 63 from units A, A pass the exit of unit D and approach each other in opposing relationship, the units being 40 timed so that the cups embrace a fruit as it leaves unit D. At the same time a catch 98 situated in the path of movement of valve contacts and closes the latter, thus cutting olf the suction in the pipe 85. Also at this point of the 45 operation of the machine a fruit F, Fig. 5, is held between cups 63, 63', which roll on their axes through rolling contact with a floor |00', bringing the edges of Wrappers W, W' into a strip applying unit E, which applies a glued strip 99, 60 placed on the floor |00, of said unit. 'Ihe iinished wrapped product P is shown in Fig. 15. After the strip has been'applied in any conventional manner, the wrapped fruit P is discharged from the machine as the cups 63, 63' 55 separate the path around their respective sprockets.

Although the invention has been described in some detail, it is to be understood that various modications and structural .features may be 60 made, and it is intended to cover all such and to be limited in this respect by the claims hereto appended.

I claim:-

1. A wrapping machine comprising means for 65 positioning a substantially spherical object to be wrapped, means for feeding a pair of individual wrappers, means for shaping the wrappers each to conform to the shape of half the object, means for bringing the shaped wrappers into 70 opposing relation with the object therebetween, means for releasing the wrappers into position about the object, and means for sealing the Y wrappers on the object.

2. A wrapping machine comprising means for 75 10 be wrapped, means synchronized with said feeding means for shaping a plurality of individual wrappers to conform substantially to the shape of a portion of the object being wrapped, and means io'r successively conveying a pair of the 15 pre-shaped wrappers to each object for application thereto from opposed sides thereof.

4. A wrapping machine, a unit for feeding vobjects in succession into position to be wrapped, object holding and wrapper positioning means movable in succession past said feeding unit for cooperation with said objects, means for supplying individual wrappers to said object holding,

and wrapper positioning means, and means for shaping said wrappers within said object holding and wrapper positioning means prior to engagement thereof with the objects to be wrapped.

5. A wrapping machine comprising means for feeding objects into podtion to be wrapped, a plurality of cups movable in succession in opposed pairs -past said feeding means, means for supplying an individual wrapper to each of said cups prior to its reaching said feeding means, and means intermediate said wrapper supplying means and said feeding means for shaping said wrappers to conform with the shape of the objects to be wrapped.

OBER G. STRAUSS.

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