US2637961A - Package wrapping apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 12, 1953 J. M. SUTTON PACKAGE WRAPPING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 1949 INVENTOR.

BY I I flrraewsyw 5.. M. a m J M y 2, 1953 J. M. SUTTON 2,637,961

PACKAGE WRAPPING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 1, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 "IIIHIn INVENTOR. xi 4445s M Sarto/v,

ga 6140M May 12, 1953 J. M. SUTTON 2,637,961

PACKAGE WRAPPING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 1, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N VEN TOR. din 15s M. SUTTON,

May 12, 1953 J. M. SUTTON PACKAGE WRAPPING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 1, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. rZ JMEs M .Surro Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT assassimenace WRAPPING APPARATUS. James M. Sutton, Lon Beach, cam.

Application November 1, 1949., Serial No, 124,880

11'. Claims. 1 This invention relates to package wrappin machinery; more particularly it relates to. a machine for completing the wrapping of a package partly wrapped before reaching the machine.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved machine of this character.

It is another object of this invention to provide a package wrapping machine which performs only some of the required operations in applying the wrapper, thereby simplifying and reducing the cost of the machine.

It is another object of this invention to provide a package wrapping machine wherein the wrappers are initially applied manually or otherwise before the packages reach the machine which completes the wrapping.

It is another object of this invention to provide a package wrapping machine wherein the initial and simple steps of applying the wrappers are performed before the packages reach the ma-f chine, the machine performing the subsequent and more difficult step of applying the wrapping. It is another object of this invention to provide apackage wrappingmachine having novel means for closing the ends of the wrapper.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a package wrapping machine which is readily adjustable to accommodate packages of different sizes.

This invention possesses many other adv-antages and hasother objects which may be made more-easily apparent from a consideration-of several embodiments "of the invention. For this purpose there are shown several forms in the drawings accompanying and-forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the general prineipl'es of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 isia side elevation of a package Wrap- .p'ing machine incorporating the features of the invention;

l iigure 2 isa detail section takensubstantially indicated "by lines .2-2 of LFi-gure 11;

Figure '3 is a detail section taken substantially as Tiindica'tedby "line '3-3 of Figure "2,;

Figure '4 Iisla transverse section talken .suhstantiailly as indicated "by line ll-4 of Figure 11,;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section ionan enlarged scale, taken substantially 13.541116]:- cated'byline "5-5 offFi'gure 4.;

Figures i6, "7 and B ar detail sections taken substantially as indicated by the correspondingly numbered lines on 'liignre 5 Figures 9 and 10 are views similar to Figure 5, butshowing different operating positions of the Parts;

Figures 11, 12, "13 and 14 are detail sections on an enlarged scale, taken suhstantiaiiy as indicatcd by the correspondingly numbered if Figure 10;

Figures 1-5, '16, 17 and 18 are fragmentary perspective views illustrating successiee steps performed by the machine on the wrapper;

v Figure 19 is a detail transverse section when substantially as indicated by line Mas-.18 of Figure 1;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary section, taken estantia'lly as indicatcdhy line '20-'48 or figure 19;

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure :8 but showing a modified iorm o! the machine;

Figure 22 is a section taken substantially as indicated by tine lk-P22 of Figure 21.

.As shown, the machine operates to complete the -wrapping of flat elongated packages, such as indicated by the letter "P having a substantially rectangular cross section. package *P hetero reaching the machine is wrapped in a transversely extending sheet of suitable plastic material such for example as Cellophane which will adhere in response to heat and pressure. This wrapper is overlapped'at 4 to provide a, seam extending len thwilse of one race pf the package P and projects hey-end the opposite ends of'the package. Thus, Figure shows one end of the package with the protec ing Wrapper W, and it is to he understood that the Wrapper projects similarly ioegvrmd the opposite end. ther, all operations by the machine are substanl v identically nd simu aneousl per orme on'h ith en s of thepa keeefk z The "machine includes a moving carrier =6 for advancin the packages '"P *to cause 'sucpessirve operations to he performed on the wrapper a plnrailityof flights *1 being provided unti pflriier B, for-encasingthe respective packagesi, Means "are associated with each flight so that when t the PP a ed n the night by o erato that portion 2 of the wra er whichpmjects from the trailing edge of the package 1? is ii-sided s shown in ig re 16.- .Enbseguent advance thereafter causes th .nadlses itp' ad 7;. be w a pair of stat o ary platefilikerei ips 1'? wh ch p rate to c use .silcse siv zn t vrticnfi preieciing i ,c the package to h iolded in, asshow-n' a 7, the b t om pro ecting portion i to he rac up, Figures 11 and 12, and the top projecting portion to be folded down thereover, Figures 13, 14 and 18. The folding of the wrapper projections and 5, lifts the package P from the flight i to a short track T which diverts the package from the carrier, and in which the package continues to advance under the influence of a projecting portion of the flight l and then under the influence, of a swingable arm structure 8. At the end of the track T;-a heater H is arranged to apply heat to the ends and bottom of the package P, causing the overlapped portions of thew dwell for the package P on the heater H and thento eject the package for further disposition, as

for example to a ramp 5 for movement by gravity to a conveyor l5.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the ma chine comprises a frame |2 formed ,of a fixed section l2-c and a relatively movable. section l2-b having. respectively table like top members 113-11 and .lZi-b. The. frame sections |2-a and 52-17 are guided for movement toward and away from each other by the, aid of transverse guide bars i i secured respectively adjacent the forward and rear edges of one of the top members, as

|3a, and confined respectively between pairs of plates i5 secured to the other top member l3-b portion providing a shoulder 22-a, and a collar 25, between which the bearing23 is confined, thus preventing axial movement of the shaft 22 rela- -tive to the top member |3 a.-' The shaft 22 is freely slidable in the bearing 24. The member 25 is fixed on the shaft 22 by means of a pin 26, the other member 2! being secured to rotate with the shaft 22 but free to move axially thereon, by

- means of a pint! passing through opposed slots ,22-b in the shaft 22 Kseealso Figures 5 and 9).

i As will appear hereinafter, the member 2| must be maintained in fixed axial relation with the movable frame section l2-b.

For this purpose, the frame top member l3-b and the member 2| are connected in spaced relation by the aid of a .threaded adjusting- -rod 28 adapted to telescope within the shaft 22, engaging a threaded bushing 29 fixed in the open end of the shaft 22. -The inner end of the rod 28 has a head 30 secured thereon for rotation relative to the rod 28 and engaged bypin 2?. Thus, the axial position of the member 2| is determined by the position of therod 28, which may be rotated independently of theshaft 22 by means of knob 3|, but normally rotate with the shaft 22 due to the frictional grip of bushing 29.

The outer end of the rod 28 is rotatably suppo rted by a bearing bracket 32 secured to the "frame top member l3-b and which is confined between. shoulders ZB-a and 28-1) on the rod 28. In this 'manner, the rotatable member.2| and the rnovable frame section 12-?) including the top fmernber iS-b are maintained in fixed axial rela- I --tion for all adjusted positions of the frame section |2-b. Appropriate rotation of rod 28 with respect to shaft 22 as by knob 3|, will alter the spacing between the carrier members 2|! and 2|.

Each of the flight 1 comprises narrow arcuate strips 35- and 31 of limited angular extent, mounted respectively on the inside faces of the members 20 and 2| by the aid of angle clips 38 each having an intermediate offset 38-a, in opposed aligned relation. The outer'surface of the strips 36 and 37 is substantially flush with the periphery of the members 20 and 2|, the trailing ends of on the respective strips 35 and 3'! for advance with therotating members 20 and 2|.

Arm 40 and 4| are respectively pivotally mounted-on the inner faces of the members 20 and 2| by the aid of short pintles 42 and 43 which extend respectively through the members 20 and 2| at points spaced radially inwardly from the trailing ends of strips 36v and 31. The arms 40 and 4| have forwardly projecting finger 44 and "45 respectivelyat their outer ends and are each urged counterclockwise about their pivots byitension springs; one of which is shown at 41, to engage the said ends of strips 36 and 31. In this position the fingers 44 and 45 extend forwardly of the corresponding radial extensions 31-a (see Figures 7 and 9).

The width of these fingers 44 and 45 is slightly less than the thickness of the package P and the spacing of the rotatable members 29 and 2| is so adjusted by the previously described means that opposite pairs of fingers 44 and 45 are separated by a distance slightly greater than the length of the packer P. The arrangement is such that when a partly Wrapped package P (Figure 15) is placed on a flight l by the operator, that portion 2 of the wrapper W projecting beyond the end of the trailing edge engages the finger 44 and is folded inwardly against theend of the package P as shown in Figure 16. The wrapper portion projecting beyond the opposite end at the same time engages the opposite finger 45 and is similarly folded inwardly.

To enable the fingers 44 and 45 to pass the plate like elements F which perform the subsequent folding operations, means are provided to swing the arms 49 and 4! to aposition clearing the elements F during an appropriate part of the rotation of the members 25 and 2|. For

this purpose, operating arms 48 and 43 are mounted respectively on the pintles 42 and 43 on the outside of the members 20 and 2| and are provided with rollers and 5| at their outer ends engageable with sationary cam means 52 and 53, supported by supplemental frames 54 and 55 on the frame top members l3-a and I3-b.

The arrangement is such that the fingers-44 and 45 are normally projected in their operating position, but upon reaching a predetermined point in the rotation of the members 20 and 2| are retracted to pass the elements F by an engagement of the rollers '50 and 5| with the cam means 52 and 53 (see Figure 10), the cam means being so formed as to allow the fingers 44 and 45 to return to'their normal positions under the infiuence of springs 41 after passing the elements F.

The element F comprises a pair of opposed plates and BI, substantially identical, except being of opposite hand and mounted respectively on the supplemental frames 54 and 55, so that adjustment of the carrier 6 to accommodate a particular length of package will correspondingly space the plates to and 5|, The plates 60 and 8| wee-ea 5 have pro ject'mg fingers fez elm ea re the finger 62 engaging the wrepee ream the leeding edge of the o it ime-my e g'aihst the bee}: g v age 118 "iafix a fice'd by me Cerrirffi (see Figu e 117) Th finger ea: simil ly fol "s "15o'rt'i0n ot'tl'l'e wrapper against the opposite nd offtllep'a age.

Th'e rapper W new has tY io'rojeetifig f k d 5 at one eeama cal-responding ject'irig portions at the other ehql Whiofi me $11 'st'en 'titll'y in the direction of mavens". For acnioeeting 'zme roldingfl these eemorfs we engine or rowing, c

that the of mapper V that 't'tth A, m'pletionfof the fold the projection is eflt i r'ely free of the $161385. Adjaht the "bef ihifiaftidn slot '35, "the slot 13 S ili e'liflfl down: a'rly Tom's, upe'er enapfir projection 1 is fouled idownwe'rfl algairist the e'fid of the package (See Figures 13 The horizontal slot por Q 01?, from the we; of the 1) 1 er fight 5. Thus, the pet-o1 'adta'nees, iso the le track 'formix'zg members e may the elates ee t, enmne eecimge is diverted 'fro .1 meets-1" I. To r'sti me package-fitting the mm wer he fomii'i operations by the plates ane. '61, 110mm @113! ected guide 1 here 211G653 are provided lespeoti'vely on me plates, each being ad ustable "secured by a single screw 8 and N.

As clearly shown Figure 10, the peerage,

"after a short advance on the tra'ek 31, "moves out of Contact with the flight projeeti n's ar a, supeiementa'l me Comprising the Lwlntble em struotu're '8 provided for confirming the advance.

Referring gjartiouleriy to Fig'iires 1, the e r rstru .reGc'ox fip-ris'es v o and {2 b can small rollers 11- 0 at 'tlfei'r oi ends foi- 11g t1 ekeg'e P. The

erigteed adjacent I in fi'xed. relation m repeat to the sta tionerji movable framefseotiom P a eiid f5" Tliueediiustl ferent sizes "of 'a'c: o'ao The arms 1H; and s t 51- movement by the 'tid' end. of which has a ciretflar ex totem? sup-ported of; a 'p'o'st projection 5 is sueh T we engagin eel W6 i: at we tame in many met aiwan v'irr h ass s -t 15 by meats "of a flange $345 engage bye ietai'nifi 15 6 on the post 75. In this Way, eirr'n 'fl-jb is emsmmea to "move with 150st 15th the aidjtit'able frame semen 2 1),- the 'arm a, being maintained in fixed ex'ia; relation with post M on the stationary flame *seetion 12 a;

As best sh'o'wn in Figures 1 f4 and '11,. the plate 51 is mounted on the supplen'renteglffrmrte '55 by t'lie aid of an 'angie bar 4'8 which is slidabl-y sup ported for Horizontal adjustment bn a pad 19 part of the frame 55. The plate it is o'u ed 1n spaced, relation to the bar '80 as by To $2, the bar H2 heme secured, in ed'j'usted position on the pad Wes by 'a thumb screw 83.

opposing plate 6B is secured to the su ppIemental mm *i'r': e'su'bstantial'ly iden'ti'celmam nfler by "single bar 818 and pad 81;. Thus, plates corresponding with plates Gfl "and 6'1 but adapted for packages "of 'a;differ-ei1t cross section may be readily substitutes. v

Heating means H are arranged to provide a eontinuat'ion-o f the track 66;.51es well as :of the plates 6!) and 6'5 for see'Iing the overieppedfpor tions ofthe Wrapper before the peckege's P leave the-machine. 'Ihots, rieferrirgg to Figures 1; '5 and 8', the means I-I comprises a. rectangular bar '91 in whieh pair 9f QOIIVQDCiOHQJIfiIEQHiC heating elements 92 and 93 are incorporated. bar M is fixed to the stationary frame 541w the aid of bracket Se, and is slidabl-y strpporteci'on the movjable frame 55 by the aid of a grooved bracket 95 engaging a, tongue iH-a on 't-hebottom pf the tear fil; the upper soy-face of the bar forming a, continuation of thetreok 66 @T 7 That end of bar 9! adjacent the fixed frame fi d hasen upward extension 96 in good 'heat tr apsfer;:re1ation with th t t h in er fa e. p .W i9 io tinuation of the plate gfor engaging one enk'i of the= pa1ekage P A mengfie'er 91 is supported on the movable frame 's "by aibreclget $8 olosely space above the bar 91 so as to be in good heat z e y ng. efi 2. there i .P swien ew of We.A ev W iornbh te, Qet n et 9 th plate "'l for engaging the other end of the epli g P. A to A Gu d i wiw dfiw erei qu s ie n liv l zen we ififirv edfi m bq t trawl? 9 .9- i 'nfis E5 and 611 lo r 1 me he a kes e e em e E M M9 1 9 elements and in contaet with the heater B l, The rails we and m} are edjustalgle towing end ate-1mm t e-wee l no; T s as h n i F u mi F 3 W W? sewe at L-fl b threaded e izi d i e'e We t W .i e-

of contact wi. 1 the heated iiiste seree Figures b and matter i'teer fame (S revlously ment-loned 4e? v of the package I.

a; lever 106 pivotally mounted at IN on the post Hand having a slot 16-11 at its lower end engaged in turn by a pin I08-a at the upper end of lever I08, pivoted at I09 on the post I4 and having a lower extension 108-1) for engaging the came means I05. A tension spring I I connected between the frame 54 and lever I08 serves to maintain lever I06 against a stop I03 with arms 8 positioned to clear the package P as it leaves the carrier flight I (see also Figures and 9).

Figure 1 shows the cam roller I05-a just engaging the lever extension I08-b, lever I08, arm I, etc., being in their normal positions. Rotation of the carrier 6 causes the cam roller IDS-a to swing lever I08 to the broken lines position X which in turn causes arms 8 to swing downwardly to the broken line position of Figure 10, and advance the package to the heater H. Continued rotation of the carrier 6 causes the end of the operating extension I08-b to ride over the roller IDS-a onto the arcuate surface I05-b which maintains lever I08 and arms 8 in this position and allows the package to remain on the heater. Further rotation of the carrier 6 thereafter causes the roller I05-c to engage the lever extension I03-b moving it additionally to the broken line position Y and causing arms 8 to swing further to the left (Figure 5) and eject the package P. Thereafter the extension I084) rides over the roller I05-c, and lever I08, arms 8, etc., return to their normal positions under the infiu ence of spring I I 0.

The carrier 6 may be driven in any suitable manner, for example by a small motor II5 driving through suitable gearing, a friction roll H6 adapted to engage a peripheral band II! on the rotatable carrier member 20. The motor H5 is pivotally mounted at I I8 on the underside of the frame top member I3-a for optional movement by control linkage II4 to bring the friction roll I I 6 into and out of driving engagement with the member 20.

The operation of the machine may now be reviewed. The packages P have the wrappers W applied manually or otherwise, to extend transversely about the packages and project beyond the ends thereof, with an overlapped portion I extending longitudinally of one of the wide sides of the packages. The wrappers may be retained as by a spot of adhesive between the overlapped portions or by heating.

With the carrier 6 in operation, the prewrapped packages are placed by the operator on the successive flights I as they rise about the top frame members I3-a and I3-b with the overlapped portion I of the wrapper W faced inwardly and a narrow sideagainst the flight extensions 3'I-a. This operation causes the fingers 44 and 45 to fold that portion of the wrapper 2 projecting beyond said side against the end of the package.

As the carrier 6 advances, the fingers 44 and 45 are retracted, and the package passes between the plates 60 and GI, the fixed fingers 62 and 63 of which fold that portion of the wrapper 3 projecting beyond the other narrow side against the end of the package. Those portions of the wrapper 4 and 5 projecting beyond the long sides of the package, then enter the slots 64 and 65 in the plates 60 and 6| and are folded thereby respectively downwardly and upwardly against the ends During this folding operation the package is diverted from the carrier flight I onto the track 66, 61 and is moved therealong by arm structure 8 onto the heater H, where it rests a brief interval before ejection by further movement of the arms 8.

Although the machine has been shown and described as for operating with flat ended packages in which the ends extend in a direction normal to the sides, the tolerances are not close except between the heater plates 96 and 91. Thus, the machine is capable of use with packages comprising a prewrapped basket like container with flaring ends and reenforcing bead around its upper edges, such as shown at H9 in Figure 21, by applying adapter members I20 and I2I respectively to the heater plates 96 and 91 so that the folded ends of the wrapper will be closely confined therebetween. As shown in Figure 22, these members are of increased length in accordance with the size of the containers.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for closing the wrapper of a. partly Wrapped rectangular package, the w apper, when the package is delivered to the apparatus, extending transversely about the package and projecting beyond the ends thereof: a movable carrier including a pair of opposed rotary members, frame supporting said members, opposed flights on said members, for supporting the package for sideward advance in the direction of a pair of the sides, arms on said members for engaging the packages on the flights, means on said arms and said frame respectively for folding those portions of wrapper projecting from the sides positioned transversely of the direction of advance against the package ends; means on said frame for thereafter successively folding those portions of the wrapper projecting from the first mentioned pair of sides against the package ends; means for removing the package from said carrier and for advancing it independently thereof; and means for causing said folded portions to adhere.

2. In apparatus for closing the wrapper of a partly Wrapped rectangular package, the wrapper, when the package is delivered to the apparatus, extending transversely about the package with an overlap extending longitudinally of one side thereof, said wrapper projecting beyond the ends of the package: a movable carrier including a pair of opposed rotary members, a frame supporting said members, means on said members for supporting the package for sideward advance in the direction of a pair of the sides, swingable arms on said members for engaging the packages; means on said arms and said frame respectively for folding those portions of the wrapper projecting from those sides positioned transversely of the direction of advance against the ends of the package; means on said frame for thereafter successively folding those portions of the wrapper projecting from the first mentioned pair of sides against the package ends; means for removing the package from said carrier and for advancing it independently thereof; and means for applying heat and pressure to said overlap and folded portions to cause them to adhere.

3. Inapparatus for closing the wrapper of a partly wrapped rectangular package, the Wrapper, when the package is delivered to the apparatus, extending transversely about the package with an overlap extending longitudinally of one side thereof, said wrapper projecting beyond the ends thereof: a movable carrier including a frame; opposed, circular members mounted for rotation on said frame, package engaging means on said members for supporting said package for sideward advance in the direction of a pairof the sides; means on said frame folding portions of the wrapper projecting from the sides positioned transversely of the direction of advance against the package ends; a pair of f xed members on said frame respectively engaging the ODPQ ends of said package and having respectively continuous slots with oppositely inclined portions for accommodating and successively folding those portions of the wrapper projecting from the first mentioned pair of sides against the package ends; a track fixed to and extending between said fixed members, means for removing the package from said carrier and advancing it on said track; and means in the path of packages moving on said track for causing saidoverlap and said folded portions to adhere.

i. In apparatus for closing the wrapper of a partly wrapped rectangular package, the wrapper, when the package is delivered to the apparatus, extending transversely about the package with an overlap extending longitudinally of one side thereof, said wrapper projecting beyond the ends of the package: a movable carrier including a frame, a pair of opposed members mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis on said frame, package engaging means supported on and .between said members for supporting the package for sideward advance in the direction of a pair of the sides thereof, on said package engaging means; means for folding that portion of the wrapper extending from one side of the package against the end thereof independently of the advance of the package; means for folding that portion of the wrapper projecting from the opposite side of the package against the end thereof responsive to advance of the package; a pair offixed members on said frame supporting the second mentioned folding means and respectivee ly engaging the opposite ends of said package and having respectively continuous slots with oppositely inclined portions for accommodating and successively folding those portions of the wrapper projecting from the first mentioned pair of sides against the package ends, responsiveto further advance of the package, a track assoelated with said fixed members for receiving packages from said rotary members; means for removing the package from said carrier and advancing it on said track; and means for cause :saidoverlap and said folded portions to adilel8.

In apparatus for closing the wrapper of a partly wrapped rectangular package, the wrapper, when the package is delivered to the appara tus, extending transversely about the package projecting beyond the ends thereof: a movable carrier including a pair of opposed rotary members, a frame supporting said members for'rotation thereon, package engaging members on said rotary members for supporting said package for sideward advance in thedirection ofya pair of th sides; means respectively connected with said frame and said rotary members for folding those portions of Wrapper projecting from the sides positioned transversely of the direction of advance against the package ends; a pair of fixed em rs o said rame re p c i l n a i g the opposi en (if s id packasean havin espectively continuous slots With oppositely inclined portions for accommodating and successively folding those portions of the wrapper projecting from the first mentioned pair of sides against the package ends;- rnean-s forming a staticna-ry track cooperating with said fixed memwith an overlap extending long side thereof, said wrapper p Ole ends of the package; a ha.

bers for diverting the package from the carrier; means operable responsive to rotation of-saidr0- tary members for advancing the package along said track between said fixed members; and means for causing said folded portions to adhere.

6. In apparatus for closing the wrapper of a partly wrapped rectangular package, the Wrapper, when the package is delivered to the apparatus, extending transversely about the package with an overlap extending longitudinally of one side thereof, said wrapper projecting beyond the ends of the package: a frame, a movable car rier including a pair of opposed rotary members, means mounting said members for rotation on said frame, means on said rotary members for supporting said package for sideward advance in the direction of a pair of the sides; means carried by said frame and said rotary members for folding those portions of the wrapper projecting from those sides positioned transversely-of the direction of advance against the ends of the package; apair of fixed members on saidframe respectively engaging the opposite ends of said package and having respectively continuous slots with oppositel inclined portions for accommodating and successively folding those portion'sof the wrapper projecting from the first mentioned pair of sidesagainst the package ends; means on said frame forming a stationary-track-cooperating with said fixed members for divertingthe package from said carrier; means providing: a heated surface forming a continuation of said track as well as of said fixed members; and. means actuated responsive to rotation of said rotary members for advancing the package along said track, andproviding' a period of dwell on said heated surface.

7. In apparatus for closing the wrapper of a partly wrapped rectangular package, the wrapper, when the package is delivered. to the apparatus, extending transversely about the package and projecting beyond the ends of the package; a frame, a movable carrier including a pair of opposed rotary members, means mounting said members for rotation on said frame, means on said members for supporting said package for sideward advance in the directionof' a pair-of the sides thereof; means niovably mounted on said members for foldin that portion of the wrapper extending from the trailing side of the package against the end thereof in response to placement of the package on *the carrier and independently of the advance of the package; fixed means on said frame for folding that portion of the wrapper projecting from theop'p osite' side of the package against the end thereof responsive to advance of the package; means for retracting said movablymounted means to clear said fixed means in response to advance the carrier and including a fixed "can; means on said frame; means carried by said frame there or fold 'ing those portions of the'wrapper ojeci g l the first mentioned pair of sides against thepackag ends, responsive to further advance of the package; means on said frame'for rem ving'jthe package from said carrier and for advancing it independently thereof; and means on eafor causing said folded portions to 8. In apparatus for closing the partly wrapped rectangular pack penvrhen the package is 'dcliveredto he a paratus; extending transversely about i 11 including a pair of opposed rotary members, means mounting said members for simultaneous rotary movement about a horizontal axis on said frame, package engaging means on said members for supporting said package for sideward advance in the direction of a pair of the sides; means on said frame and said members for folding those portions of the wrapper projecting from those sides positioned transversely of the direction of advance against the ends of the package; fixed means of said frame thereafter for successively folding those portions of the wrapper projecting from the first-mentioned pair of sides against the package ends; means on said frame forming a stationary track cooperating with said fixed means for diverting the packag from said .carrier; means providing a heated surface forminga continuation of said track as well as of said fixed-means; means for advancing the package along said track, and providing a period of dwell on said heated surface, comprising a swingably mounted arm on said'frame having an actuating extension; and means on said rotary members engageable with said extension for actuating said arm in response to movement of the carrier.

9. In a package wrapping machine: a carrier for supporting and advancing the packages comprising a pair of spaced opposed rotatable mem bers; opposed, aligned package engaging flights respectively on said members; a frame, a rotatable element on said fram mounting said members and secured in driving relation therewith; means for adjusting one of said members along said element with respect to the other member; and means respectively mounted on said members and said frame for engaging the ends of the package to perform a folding operation on the wrapper.

10. In a package wrapping machine: a carrier for supporting and advancing the package comprising a pair of spaced; opposed rotatable members; opposed, aligned package engaging flights respectively on said members; a tubular element mounting said members and secured in driving relation therewith; one of said members being axially adjustable, a pair of opposed frames rotatably mounting said element; one of said framesbeing movable toward and away from the other frame, an adjusting member extending within said tubular element and secured in fixed axial relationship with one of said rotatable members but permitting relative rotation thereof; opposed means mounted on said frames for engaging the ends of the package carried thereto by said flights to perform a folding operation on the wrapper; means connecting said one frame with said adjustin member for movement with the adjusting member and means including a threaded connection between said tubular element and said adjusting member moving said one frame to vary the spacing of said rotatable members as well as the spacing of said flights, responsive to operation of said adjusting member.

11. In a package wrapping machine: means forming a frame comprising a fixed section and a relatively movable section connected thereto for movement toward and away therefrom; a carrier for supporting and advancing the packages comprising a pair of rotatable members; opposed, aligned package engaging flights respectively on said members; an element mounting said members and secured in driving relation therewith with one of said members axially adjustable thereon; means respectively on said frame sections rotatably mounting said element. means securing one of said members in fixed axial relation with respect to the fixed frame section; means for engaging the ends of the package to perform a folding operation on the wrapper and including portions mounted respectively on said frame sections; and means for adjusting the movable frame section toward, and away from the fixed section, including a connection for maintaining the other rotatable member in fixed axial relation with respect to the movable frame section. 7

12. In a package Wrapping machine: means forming a frame comprising a fixed section and a relatively movable section connected thereto for movement toward and away therefrom; a carrier for supporting and advancing the packages comprising a pair of rotatable members; opposed,

aligned package engaging flights respectively on said members; a tubular element mounting said members and secured in driving relation therewith; one of said rotatable members being axially adjustable on said element, means respectively on said frame sections rotatably mounting said element, the mounting means on the fixed frame section securing said element against axial movement with respect thereto; means securing the other said members in fixed axial relation with respect to said fixed frame section; means for engaging the ends of the package to perform a folding operation on the wrapper and including portions mounted respectively on said frame sections and said rotary members; and means for adjusting the movable frame section toward and away from the fixed section including a threaded rod in telescopic relation with said tubular element, and connected respectively to the movable frame section and to the axially adjustable rotatable member.

13. In a package wrapping machine: means forming a frame comprising a fixed section and a relatively movable section connected thereto for movement toward and away therefrom; a carrier for supporting and advancing the packages comprising a pair of rotatable member's respectively in fixed axial relation with the frame sections; means in the path of movement of the packages for engaging the ends of the packages to perform a folding operation on the wrapper and including portions mounted respectively on said frame sections; track forming elements respectively on said frame sections cooperating to receive the packages from said carrier; heater means including spaced opposed elements respectively secured to said frame sections for engaging the ends of the packages; and means for moving the movable frame section toward and away from said fixed section.

14. In a package wrapping machine: a carrier for supporting and advancing the package comprising a pair of axially spaced rotatable members; means connecting said members in driving relation; a frame comprising a pair of opposed sections respectively supporting said members in fixed axial relation with respect to the sections; one of said sections being movable to vary the spacing between the sections, means on each of said sections in the path of the package for engaging the ends of the package to perform a folding operation on the wrapper, a track for receiving the package from the carrier; and a swingable arm structure for advancing the package along the track, said structure including a. pair of arms oscillatable about an axis and secured respectively in fixed axial relation with said frame sections.

15. In a package wrapping machine: a carrier for supporting and advancing the package comprising a pair of axially spaced rotatable members; means connecting said members in driving relation; a frame comprising a pair of opposed sections, one of said sections being movable to vary the spacing between said sections, means respectively supporting said members in fixed axial relation with respect to the sections; means on each section for engaging the ends of the package to perform a folding operation on the Wrapper, a track for receiving the package from the carrier; and a swingable arm structure for advancing the package along the track, said structure including a shaft; means respectively on said frame sections oscillatably mounting said shaft; means on one of said mounting means securing said shaft in fixed axial relation therewith; a pair of arms in driving relation on said shaft; means securing one of said arms against axial movement on said shaft; and means securing the other arm in fixed axial relation with the other of said mounting means.

16. In a package wrapping machine: a carrier for supporting and advancing the package comprising a pair of axially spaced rotatable members; means connecting said members in driving relation; a frame comprising a pair of opposed sections, one of said sections being movable to vary the spacing between the sections, means respectively supporting said members in fixed axial relation with respect to the sections; means on each section for engaging the ends of the package to perform a folding operation on the wrapper, a track for receiving the package from the carrier; and a swingable arm structure for advancing the package along the track, said structure including a shaft; means respectively on said frame sections oscillatably mounting said shaft; means on one of said mounting means securing said shaft in fixed axial relation therewith; an arm axially secured on said shaft; a tubular element slidable on said shaft and in driving relation therewith; means securing said element in fixed axial relation With respect to the other of said mounting means; and an arm fixed on said element.

17. In a package wrapping machine; a pair of opposed frame sections, means connecting said sections for relative movement to vary the spacing therebetween, opposed means for supporting packages for advance in a given path being respectively mounted in fixed relation to said sections so that the space therebetween varies according to the spacing between said sections,

pair of opposed rotary members, each mounted on one of the sections and provided with means for supporting and advancing the packages to said opposed means, other means supported by and between said sections for contacting said packages and advancing them on said opposed means, opposed means respectively connected with said sections subject to spacing according to the spacing between the sections and operable for performing folding operations on the wrappers for the packages and means for moving one section toward and away from the other section to vary the spacing therebetween.

JAMES M. SUTTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,472,096 Streich Oct. 30, 1923 1,634,711 Ferguson July 5, 1927 1,641,042 Marasso Aug. 30, 1927 1,740,582 Farmer Dec. 24, 1929 1,851,457 Smith et a1 Mar. 29, 1932 1,953,195 Smith et a1. Apr. 3, 1934 1,984,850 Van Buren Dec. 18, 1934 2,296,142 Campbell Sept. 15, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 501,682 Germany June 19, 1930 854,683 France Apr. 22, 1940

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