US2646837A - Hermetic package sealing machine - Google Patents

Description

July 28, 1953 L. l.. BRANDENBURG ETAL 2,546,837

v HERMETIC PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE 8 sheets-sheet' 1 Filed NO V. 9, 1948- July 28,A 1953 L. l.. BRANDENBURG ErAL A2,646,837

HERMETIC PACKAGE sEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 9, 194e IN VEN TORS f 650. MURE/v.

July 28, 1953 A BRANDENBURG ETAL HERMETIC PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE 8 sheets-'sheet 3 Filer; Nv. 9, 1948 INVENToRs lrsTmLBRA/VDENBI/H@ mi M a-um ATTORMExs.

July 28, 1953 4 l l.; BRANDENBURG Er'AL 2,646,837

- HERMETIC PACKAGESEALING MACHINE v Filed Nov. 9; 194s 8 sheetssheet 4 ma Y' L u INVENTORS 1.12snm.LBRAND'I-mURG'y BY Ff CipoA/JORLM.

I ATTORNEYS.

July 28, 1953 .1.. BRANDENBURG :TAL 2,646,837

HERMETIC PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE Filed Nov. 9, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet' .5

INVENTORS L. L .EPA/@M5526 ,um BY 55a. 02AM 59,' ,47m/ways Ml M 'fm' l.. l.. ESRANDENBURG ErAL 2,646,837

HERMETIC PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE July 2s, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 9, 1948 wwf? July 28, 1,953 l.. l.. BRANDENBURG ETAL l* HERMETIC PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Nov. 9, 1948 July 28, 1953 Filed Nov. 9, 1948 L. L. BRANDENBURG ET-AL HERMETIC PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8,

Wgr. zo.

Patented `uly 28, 19u53 HERMETIC PACKAGE SEAL ING MACHINE Lester L. Brandenburg, Oakland, and George W. Orem, Vallejo, Calif.; said Orem assignor to said Brandenburg ApplicationNovember 9, 1948, serial No. 59,066

. 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in a hermetic package sealing machine. It consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of our inventionv is to provide a hermetic package sealing machine in which pack- `ages are moved through the machine and are sprayed on all surfaces with a solution that when dried will hermetically seal the contents of the packages. The machine is especially designed for hermetically sealing cigarette containing packages. The solution sprayed onto the packages may be self-drying or it may be dried or hastened in its drying by blowing air upon the surfaces of the packages after they have been sprayed.

cigarette package and will embed a tearing tape 4 under the hermetic seal, novel means being used for applying a continuous tape to the packages as they are fed through the machine and then cutting the tape between adjacent packages so that a suiicient portion of the tape will project outside of the seal for the purpose of opening the hermetic seal when desired.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specication, and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric and schematic illustration of the entire machine ;Y

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine;

Figure 3 is a top plan view;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the packagefeeding and tape-applying end of the machine;

Figure 5 is a further enlarged detail view of the package feed chain. and sprocket, taken at the entrance end of the machine;

Figure 61s an enlarged transverse section taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a top plan View of Figure 6;

V Figure 8 is an end View of the machine, illustrating the entrance of the packages into the spraying chamber;

Figure 9 is a transverse section taken along the line IX--IX of Figure 3, and illustrates a portion of the drive mechanism;

Figure 10 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the machine illustrating the tapecutting mechanism;

Figure 11 illustrates two other positions of a cam used in the tape-cutting mechanism;

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken along the line XII-XII of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is an enlarged transverse section taken along the line XIII- XIII of Figure 4, and illustrates the tape-applying roller;

Figure 14 is a transverse section taken along the line XIV-XIV of Figure l0, and illustrates the tape-cutting blade;

Figure 15 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of the machine showing one of the liquid spraying compartments, and is taken along the line XV-XV of Figure 3;

Figure 16 is an enlarged transverse section illustrating a second liquid-spraying compartment, and is taken along the line XVI-XVI of Figure 3;

Figure 17 is an enlarged section taken along the line XVII-XVII of Figure 3, and shows the second spraying and drying chambers and associate mechanism;

Figure 18 is a vertical section taken through the second spraying and drying chambers, and is taken along the line XVIlI--XVIII of Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a horizontal section taken through the second spraying and drying chambers, and is taken along the line XIX-XIX of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a longitudinal section taken along the line XX--XX of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a transverse section taken along the line XXI- XXI of Figure 22, and illustrates the automatic means for stopping further operation of the machine should the tearing-tape break;

Figure 22 is a longitudinal section taken along the line XXII- XXII of Figure 21; and

Figure 23 is a View similar to Figure 22, and shows the motor cut-out switch opened by a l break in the tearing-tape.

1 Within the scope of the appended claims without 3 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In carrying out our invention, we think it best to refer first to the isometric and schematic showing of the entire machine as illustrated in Figure l. A brief description of the entire machine as illustrated in this ngure will make it easier to understand the structural views when they are explained.

The packages A, such as cigarette packages, enter a spray chamber B in which spray nozzles C' will spray the two sides and the tops of the packages with a solution which will dry and form a moisture-proof covering-Seal on these three package walls. An endless conveyor indicated generally at D moves the packages through the spraying chamber. A tape-holding magazine E feeds a tearing-tape F to the tops of the peckages A and this tape is embedded under the solution that is sprayed onto the package tops.

The endless conveyor D moves the packages from the spraying chamber B into a drying chamber I-Iere the solution on the three paCkage walls is dried by means of air nozzles that direct streams of hot or cold air against the packages for drying the solution. Heating lamps, not shown, could be used in lieu of the air nozzles. The solution applied to the packages might be of the quick drying type so no air nozzles would be required. The lengths of the spraying and drying chambers can be such as to afford sufficient time to apply and dry three walls of the packages with a water-proof covering.

In the drying chamber we provide novel tapecutting means J that automatically severs the tape between adjacent packages. A sufficient portion of the tape will project beyond the package for tearing purposes. The packages are then transferred from the conveyor D to a second endless conveyor K that extends at right angles to the first conveyor.

The second conveyor K moves the packages through a spraying chamber L that extends at right angles to the first spray chamber B. In the chamber L, spray nozzles M spray a solution against the two ends of the package and against the bottom of the package. From the second spraying chamber L, the endless conveyor K moves the packages into a blower or drying chamber N. Air nozzles P direct air against the packages to dry the solution on the remaining three walls. The packages will now be completely encased in hermetically sealed coverings that may be transparent or opaque as desired and each covering will have a tear-tape by means of which the covering may be torn from the package. The completely sealed and moisture-proof packages are now delivered from the machine ready for shipment. It is best to describe the machine in detail in the same order as was taken in setting forth its brief description. A package-feeding mechanism delivers the packages to the machine and this will be described rst.

Package-feeding mechanism a reduction gear assembly 5, and a gear 6 thaty connects directly with the motor.

It will be noted from Figures 2, 4, and 5, that the feed conveyor R delivers the packages A to an adjustable and downwardly inclined chute l that in turn delivers them to the endless conveyor D. The purpose of inclining the chute l! downwardly is to space the bottoms of the packages from each other as they move from the chute 'E onto the conveyor D. This is done so as to provide space between the bottoms of adjacent packages to receive package moving pins 8, carried by the endless .conveyor D.

Endless conveyor D The endless conveyor D is illustrated in Figures 2 to 9, inclusive. A double sprocket S, see FigureS 8 and 9, is mounted on a shaft iii that is driven by the universal joint The double sprocket is mounted in front of the entrance to the spray chamber B, and a second double sprocket il is mounted adjacent to the exit end of the drying chamber G. A pair of sprocket chains 6 and 1, are passed around thel double sprockets 9 and l I, see Figures 6 and 7, and the upper reaches of the sprocket chains extend through the spray.- ing and drying chambers C and G.

The package-moving pins 8 are placed at the proper distances along the pair of sprocket chains and are slide-bly mounted in openings i3 provided in pin carriers iwhich in turn are connected to links of the adjacent sprocket chains |2-l2. Coil springs i5 are mounted on the pins and bear against the carriers so as to hold the pin heads 8c in slidable contact with an endless cam rail i6, see Figures 2, 6 and 7. The cam rail is coextensive with the endless sprocket chains |2-I2 and the lower reach of the rail is spaced inwardly from the lower reaches of the sprocket chains a greater distance than is the upper cam reach spaced inwardly from the upper sprocket chain reaches. Figure 5, for example, illustrates this construction for the double sprocket 9.

Since the coil springs l5 maintain the pins 8 in sliding contact with the cam rail at all times, the positioning of the lower reach will cause the pin tops to lie ush with the outer surfaces of the carriers. As the pins are carried around by the chains to the top of the double sprocket S, the cam rail will. urge the pins outwardly so as to project beyond the carrier it and enter the space X formed between adjacent packages as one package rests on the sprocket chains while the other rests on the downwardly inclined chute. In this simple way, each pin 8 will contact with the rear of a package and will move it along the machine.

It is possible to change the pins from one carrier i4 to another or to omit pins and thus adapt the conveyor D to accommodate packages of different sizes. To this end we provide the cam rail with an opening EI that is large enough to pass the pin 3 therethrough, see C,ure 5. rlhe opening is normally closed by a plate i8 which is held in place by screws S8 or other suitable fastening means. In Figure 5 every third carrier lli is provided with a pin.

Spraying Chamber B The spraying chamber occupies the first section of an elongated housing 2G that receives the packages. The drying chamber G is in the same housing and follows the spraying chamber. The upper reach of the sprocket chains H2712 extends throughout the length of the housing and therefore passes through both the spraying and the drying chambers. Figures d and 9 show the. forward end of the housing provided with an en -trance opening 2| for the packages and guide of the packages A. The rollers are adjustably mounted on upper brackets 25 and lower brackets 26 so that they can be spaced from each other to accommodate various sized packages. The rollers are arranged so that at least two of them in succession along the length of the housing will contact with the sides of the packages at all `times', as clearly shown in Figure 15. The brackets 25 and 26 extend throughout the length of the housing 20.

The lower brackets 26 yieldingly carry package-supporting and guiding rollers 21, see Figure Y13. The rollers 21 are arranged in pairs and the rollers in each pair are spaced part to p-ermit the 'upper reaches of the pair of chains |2-l2 to pass therebetween. Figure 15 shows at least two o r more rollers 21 supporting each package. Near the top of the housing 20, we .provide spring- Apressed and elongated rollers 28 that are carried by the 1lpper brackets 25. The entire arrangej ment of rollers is such that the packages will be supported from all sides and guided in their passage through the housing 20. Before describing the action of the spray nozzles in the spraying chamber B, it is best to set forth the mechanism for applying the tearing-tape F to the packages.

Taming-tape applying mechanism In Figure 4, we show a roll 29 of tearing-tape F that is mounted in the tape magazine E, which in turn is supported by the top of the housing 2l). The tearing-tape F is fed from the roll and passes between guide rollers 30 and then through an opening 3l in the top of the housing. A horizontally disposed but f vertically movable roller 32 has its shaft slidably received in vertical slots provided in the sides of the housing 20. The roller 32 Ipresses the tape F down upon the tops of the packages A.

Figure 13 shows the top package guide rollers 28 provided with centrally disposed annular grooves 28a and the grooves receive the tape F.

' The movement of the packages through the housing 20-will cause the packages to rotate the top j rollers 28 because of contact therewith. The

peripheral speed of the rollers will be the same as the lineal speed of the packages. The bottoms "of the grooves 28a will have a speed that will tend to move the tape through the housing at the same speed as the packages. There will therefore be no relative movement between the tape and the packages. The tape will be held firmly f V- against the package tops during the spraying of lthe solution thereon.

VGetting back to describing the spraying chamber, it will be seen from the schematic showing 4in Figure 1, that the spray nozzles C receive their solution from pipes 33 that branch from a feed ypipe 34.

A pump S draws the spray solution from a sump 35 or other suitable receptacle and forces it into the feed pipe 34. Figure 1 shows only the spray nozzles C that direct the fluid against one side of the packages. A like arrangement of spray nozzles is used for spraying the other sideof the packages. These are not shown because the drawing would become too confusing "to read. l

Before describing the spray nozzles C more in detail, it is best to set forth that additional spray nozzles are placed at the top of the housing and direct a solution downwardly upon the tops of the packages. Branch pipes 36 for these nozzles communicate with a feed pipe 31 which in turn tending into one side of the housing. Also one of the nozzles C entering through the top of the housing is illustrated. A sulicient number of nozzles are used for applying a solution to the vtop and two sides of the packages in the spraying chamber to cover them.

Each spray nozzle has an air pipe 38 leading thereto, see Figure 15, and since the forcing of an atomized fluid through a spray nozzle is well known, no further detailed description is needed of the nozzles and only a schematic showing in Figure 1 is illustrated. An 'air supply pipe 39 leads from any desired source, and a feeder pipe 4U leads from the pipe 39 and has a branch air pipe 4I leading therefrom and communicating with the spray nozzles C.

Any excess solution that might drain from the top and sides of the packages will drop into a catch basin 42, see Figure 13, and then will flow into a return pipe 43 that will convey the fluid back to the spray ysump 35, as clearly shown in Figure 1. The drain pipe and sump 4are further illustrated in Figure 2.

Drying chamber G From the spraying chamber, the packages are conveyed into the drying chamber which is a continuation of the housing 20. Again referring to the phantom schematic showing of Figure 1, it will be seen that a battery of air nozzles H direct hot or cold air against the sides of the packages. These air nozzles are in communication with a branch pipe 44 that communicates with an air feed pipe 45. The pipe 45 in turn receives its air from a blower T.

Figure 3 shows a battery of air nozzles H disposed on each side of the housing 20. Both the spray chamber B and the drying chamber G are shown broken away because the length of each is determined by the size of the package to be sprayed and the type of spray solution used. The endless conveyor carries the packages through both chambers at the desired speed.

Automatic tape-cutting mechanism In the drying compartment G we dispose the mechanism for automatically cutting the tape at points between adjacent packages A. Figure 14 shows a tape-cutting blade 46, mounted in a blade holder 41, the latter being slidably mounted in vertical guides 48 and being supported by a transversely extending rod 49, see also Figure 12. The ends of the rod 49 are reduced in size and are slidably received in vertical slots 50 provided in the side walls of the housing 20.

Both Figures 10 and 12 show the reduced ends of the rod 49 received in bores 5| provided in the upperends of push rods 52. At the lower ends of the vertical push rods 52 we mount cam followers 53 which are in the shape of rollers. The

Y rollers ride on the upper edges of cams 54 of the 7 'stantially square lslot f56 with -'a recess 56a com- -municating therewith. 'Gu-ide pins 51 and 58 are slidably received in the Slots 55 and 56, respectively, `see Figure 1'1. The cams 54 :are urged to the right in Figures 10, 11 and 12 by ladjustable springs 59. The push rods 52 are yieldingly urged to their lower positions by adjustable springs 160, see Figure 10, and therefore the rollers 53 will be -constantly held in Vcontact with the upper Yedges of the Ycams 5'4.

We provide novel means for initially moving the cams 54 to the left from the position shown in Figure into 'that shown in the upper view of Figure 1-1. This will permit the springs 60 to move the push rods 52 downwardly and carry v with them the tape/cutting blade 46, see Figure 14., so that the latter will 'sever the tearing-tape F at a point midway between two adjacent packages A. The means for moving the cams to the left is timed so that the rollers 53 of the push rods 52 will be permitted to move downwardly `on the upper edges "of the cams 'only when the blade 46 is positioned midway between two packages.

In Figures 2 `and 9 we show spaced 'sprockets 6I"-6i mounted on the transverse shaft iii and the sprockets are disposed close to the outer surfaces of the lhousing 2t. Figures 2 and A3 show the sprockets Eil-6i disposed near the entrance to the housing 26 and 'show a second pair oi' spaced 'sprockets 6-2--62 other "end of the housing. Sprocket chains 63-63 are mounted on the sprockets and the fchains 'carryfspaced-apart cams 64, see Figures 2, 310 Yand lfl. The cams move with the sprocket chains 63-63 and strike depending cam followers 65 that are carried by the cams 54.

The movable cams 64, carried by the sprocket 'chains 63 are spaced apart a `distance equal to the length 'of `the 'package yA and they are positioned on the chains so as to actuate the cams 54 and 'causethe blastlelt to sever the tape at a point between `eac-h package. Figures l0 and l1 indicate the actual movement of the cam 54. In Figure 10, the ycam -is in normal position and the roller .5'3 is contacting with the upper lcam'edge 54a;

When the moving Vcam 64 strikes the cam follower 65 the cam 54 will be moved to the left trom the posi-tion in Figure l0, into the position shown by the'upper 'view in Figure 11. The slot 55 and the recess-56a will-cooperate with the pins 51 and 58 l,

-tohold theicam 54 in a horizontal position during this movement. The springs 58 will be placed under greater tension during this movement ot the cams 54 to the left and the rollers 53 will ride down the inclined cam on the lower cam edge 54e.

The movement of the rollers 53 'from the upper camedge 54a to the lower cam edge 54c will permit the springs Gil to urge the push rods l52 downwardly and carry with them the transverse rod 49 and tape-cutting vblade 46. lThe tape is severed by the blade and the timing is such that the cut will take place midway between two adjacent packages. The moving cams 64 advance the cams 54 to the out of the recesses 56a into the square slots 56. Further movement of the moving camsv64 to the left will causethemto raise the cam followers asfshown in the lower view of Figure '11,vand `to pass thereunder., the pins 5S beingreceived 'inthe lower portions of the slots-56 dur-ing this movement -a-ndthe cams 54 rocking about thepins 51.

.As tsoon as the movi-ngcams :pass under the cam followers 65 and clear them lthe springs 59 will wvlreturrithefeat-ns 5'4 to initial position and the disposed adjacent to the edge 54D and `come to rest leituntil the guide Ipins 58 pass 8 rollers 53 will raise the push rods 52 to return the tape-cutting blade 46 to its normal position above the tape F. The tape cutting mechanism is now ready for its next operation.

Automatic stop .for machine should tape feeder stop In Figures 1, 2 and 21 to 23 inclusive, we show novel means for automatically stopping the machine should the tape break as it is fed into the housing 2Q. -A micro-switch 65 is illustrated in Figures 2l, 22 and 23 as being carried by the top of the housing 26 and depending therewithin. The switch carries a -spring arm 61 that has a roller 6% -on its outer end that is yieldingly held in contact with the tape F. Should the tape break for any reason before it is embedded under the coating of the solution sprayed onto the tops of the packages, the spring arm 61 will urge the roller 63 down between the Apackages A as shown in Figure 23. The circuit to the motor 2 is thereby broken and the machine willinstantly s'top operating. Figure 23 also shows the main starting switch 69, and an auxiliary switch 1l) which is in parallel with the micro-switch 66 so that when the iatter is opened by a failure in the tape feeding mechanism, the machine can be temporarily started by closing the switch 1B. The packages will be ted along the housing 20 until a new section of tape will pass under the roller 6B yand will close the micro-switch 66. The machine will then continue to function and the Iauxiliary switch 1i! may be opened.

Second spraying and drying chamber-s Both Figures 2 and 3 show'a housing 1l extending at right angles to the housing 20 and hereinafter referred to as the second housing. The isometric view of Figure l illustrates schematically how the packages Aare fed into the second housing 11i by the endless conveyor D and how the packages are moved at right anglesto heir former travel after entering the housing 20. "he endless conveyor K moves the packages through the housing 1l which contains the spraying chamber L and the drying `chamber N The two ends and the bottom of each packageare sprayed with the solution in the spraying vchamber L and when the solution is dried in the drying chamber L, all six lsurfaces oi the package will be covered with Va moisture-prooi cover that has no seams.

We will `first describe how the packages are transferred from the conveyorvD to the conveyor K. Figure 19 illustrates a horizontal section showing the housing 2li communicating with the housing 1 I. Figure 16 `illustrates a vertical and transverse section through the housing l1I and shows the housing 23 communicating therewith. The same vfigure shows a package A being pushed from the conveyor D toward the housing 1I by the package moving pin 8. The package in turn has moved the package in front of it by contact, into the housing 1I and onto the conveyor K. The 'cam rail i6 is shown with an inward bend at [6a so las to remove the pin 8 of contact with the package when the latter is in the position shown in Figure 16. This is done so that the next package, not shown in the ligure, can ybe moved into abutting relation with the right hand package illustrated, and move this package to the left and onto the conveyor K after the package already on the conveyor is started on its movement along the housing 1l. y

Figure 19 shows a plurality of package guiding rollers 12 that cooperate with the right hand ures 16 and 18 further illustrate guide rollers 'Hl` contacting with the top of the package and being carried by the same bracket 'i3 so as to cooperate with the rollers l2. A lower set of guide rollers similar to the rollers l2, are carried by a bracket 16 and contact with the sameside of the package as the rollers l2. Y

The package A as it leaves the conveyor D is moved by the next package on the conveyor so that its front end is brought into contact with rollers 1l that act as stops, see Figures 16 and 19. The upper rollers 'il are adjustably mounted in a bracket '178, and the lower rollers 'Vla are mounted in a bracket 18a. Figure 18 shows the upper and lower brackets 18 and 18a extending substantially throughout the length of the housing- H. The upper bracket 18 carries springpressed rollers '19 that contact with the tops of the packages, and the lower bracket 18a carries spring-pressed rollers '59a that contact with the bottoms of the packages. The rollers are placed close enough together so that they will guide the packages through the housing.

The rollers 1l, 17a, 19 and 19a are placed along the left hand wall of the housing 'Il when looking at Figure 16. VThe same arrangement of rollers is duplicated along the right hand wall of the same housing. The upper and lower rollers for engaging with the package ends are indicated at 88 and 89a respectively, and are carried by brackets 8| and 81a that extend substantially throughout the length of the housing I l. The upper right hand bracket 8| of Figure 16 also carries spring-pressed rollers 82 that contact with the tops of the packages and in like manner the iower right hand bracket 81a carries springpressed rollers 82a that contact with the bottoms of the packages. Figure 19 shows the rollers 11a, and 19a, mounted in the bracket 18a and the rollers 80a and 82a mounted in the bracket Bla.

v.All of the rollers in the housing 1| can be adjusted to accommodate packages of diierent sizes.

A central bottom channel 83 is placed in the housing 1I midway between the'brackets 18a and 8m, see Figure 19. The channel faces upwardly and carries spring-pressed rollers 84 that aid in supporting the bottoms of the packages A as they move along the housing. The rollers 84 are staggered with respect to the rollers '59a and 82a so that at least one roller will be contacting with the bottom of the Package at all times.

The endless conveyor K that moves the packages :along the housing 'H comprises two pairs of spaced-apart sprocket' chains 85-88 and 86-86, similar to the pair of sprocket chains V63--h`3, see Figures 16 and 19. The pair of chains 85-85 carries package moving pins 85a, and the pair of chains 86-86 carries pins 86a that are of similar construction to the pins 8 and arev similarly mounted on guide rails 85D and 86h,

see Figure 16. Further detailed description of the conveyor K, therefore, need not be given.

The means for actuating the conveyor K is illustrated in Figure 3. The main shaft I0 has a bevel gear 81 mounted thereon .and this gear meshes with a second bevel gear 81a mounted on a shaft 38 that extends along-the housing 29,

see also Figures 8 and 9. The shaft has universal couplings 89 therein if desired. Figures 17 and 18 illustrate the shaft l88 entering an extension 90 -zles M. i

to the housing 'Il inwhich two pair-sof spaced 75 l0 sprockets 9|9| and 92-92 are mounted,- see Figure 16. The pair of sprockets Sil-9| carry and drive the pair of sprocket chains -85 while the pair of sprockets 92-92 carry and drive the pair of sprocket chains Gti-8B. Figure 1 shows the pairs of sprockets 9| and 92 diagrammatically -and the same ligure further illustrates diagrammatically the other pairs of sprockets 93 and 94.

'Ihe endless conveyor K carries the packages through the second spraying chamber L and the second drying chamber N. The spraying nozzles M in the second spraying chamber are arranged to direct the solution against the two ends and the bottoms of the packages. Figures 17 and 18 set forth two batteries of spray nozzles, one being disposed on each side of the housing 1l. The nozzles in each battery are disposed at different elevations so that all portions of the package ends will be sprayed. Figure 17 shows the spray nozzles arranged on the inner or right hand side of the housing 1l when looking at Figure 3, and Figure 18 shows the spray nozzles arranged on .theouter or left hand side of the housing. The

housing sides have openings 95 therein through which the nozzles project.

Figure 1 shows how one of the banks of spray nozzles M is fed by the feed pipe 34. A header 96 communicates with the pipe 34, and branch pipes 91 lead from the header to the spray nozzles M. The spray nozzles or guns M are also supplied with the required amount of air under pressure by the air supply pipe 39 that communicates with a feeder pipe 98, and branch air lines 99 lead from this pipe to the various spray guns or noz- The battery of spray nozzles disposed on the far side of the housing 'H when looking at Figure 1, are not illustrated in this figure because it would be too complicated a showing. Both Figures 16 and 18 show the other battery of spray nozzles M. These are supplied with the solution and air in the same manner as the battery just described and no further detailed description need be given of this feature.

While the packages A pass through the second spraying chamber L, the ends of the packages Will be sprayedin the manner just described and also the bottoms of-the packages. A battery of spray nozzles M are arranged along the bottom of the housing 'Il and are designed to direct the solution upwardly against the bottoms of the packages. The schematic showing of Figure l illustrates each nozzle of the bottom battery of spray nozzles as communicating with a branch pipe |08 and with the header 96. Figures 16 and 17 illustrate the bottom battery of nozzles more in detail. Air is also fed to these nozzles under pressure as indicated in Figure 1. Figurev19 illustrates how the nozzles in the lower battery are arranged and how they direct an atomized solution through openings I8! provided in the bo*- tom of the casing 7 I. All portions of the package bottoms will have the solution directed thereagainst. The spraying chamber L may have a catch basin, not shown, underlying it in the same manner as the rst spraying chamber B is provided with the catch basin d2. Also, a drain or return pipe, not shown, for the excess solution,

,could lead from the second spraying chamber L back to the sump or reservoir 35.

From the second spraying chamber, the packages which have now been sprayed on all surfaces, are led into the second drying chamber N. Air conveying nozzles are arranged on both side walls of this chamber and direct heated or cold air into the interior of the housing H for1 drying purposes. The blower T used for supplying the air nozzles H is also used for the air nozzles P. The air feed pipe 45 has branch pipes leading to the air nozzles P. A complete drying of all surfaces f the packages A is accomplished before the endless conveyor K ejects the packages from the housing li. Any means, not shown, may be used for receiving the packages from the machine. The length of the housing 'fl is determined by the combined lengths of the second spraying and drying chambers.

The packages A as delivered from the machine are hermetically sealed in a covering that has no folds or flaps therein. 'lie covering is of a uniform thickness and it embeds the tearing-tape excepting the two tape ends which project outside of the hermetic seal in order to permit the ready grasping of the tape for opening the covering. Only one end of the tape need project beyond the covering and if this is desired, the automatic cutting knife will be timed to sever the tape adjacent to one end of the package. The speed of the packages through the machine can be regulated according to the size of the package being covered and the type of solution used.

We claim:

l. A hermetic package sealing machine coriprising a spraying chamber, means for continuously moving packages through the Chamb-e means or applying a continuous tearing tape to the packages as the packages move through the chamber, means for spraying the entire o1" surface of the packages with a solution w'. h when dried will enclose the packages in a hermeticaily tight casing that also enclose the tearing strip, means for severing the tearing at points between adjacent packages.

2. A hermetic package sealing machine comprising a spraying chamber, means for moving packages having sii; walls, through the chamber, means for applying a tearing tape to the tops of the packages, means for spraying a solution onto the top and two sides of the packages, a drying chamber, the package moving means carrying the packages through the drying chamber for causing the solution on the three walls to dry, means for cutting the tape between adjacent packages, a second spraying chamber, a second drying chamber, means for conveying the packages through the second spraying chamber and the second drying chamber, and means for spraying a solution onto the bottom and two other walls of the packages in the second spraying chamber.

3. A hermetic package sealing machine comprising a spraying chamber, means for moving packages having six walls, through the chamber, means for applying a tearing tape to the tops of the packages, means for spraying a solution onto the top and two sides of the packages, a drying chamber, the package moving means carrying the packages through the drying chamber for causing the solution on the three walls to dry, means for cutting the tape between adjacent packages, a second spraying chamber, a second drying chamber, means for conveying the packages through the second spraying chamber and the second drying chamber, means for spraying a solution onto the bottom and two other Walls of the packages in the second spraying chamber, and means for draining on" any excess solution from the two spraying chambers.

el. In a hermetic package sealing machine, a housing having a spraying chamber and a drying chamber, means for moving packages through the housing, tape feeding means including4 means for applying the tape to the packages as they' move through the spraying chamber, means for spraying the packages so as to cover the tearing tape, and means in the drying chamber for sevei'ing the tape between adjacent packages so that each package will have a portion of the tearing tape projecting outside of the dried solution.

5. A hermetic package sealing machine comprising a housing having a spraying chamber and a drying chamber, means for moving siksided packages through the housing, means for applying a tearing tape to the tops of the packages passing through the `spraying chamber, means for spraying a solution onto the top and two sides of the packages in the spraying solution, the solution drying on the packages in the drying chamber, means for severing the tape between adjacent packages in the drying chamber, a second housing having a spraying chamber and a drying chamber, means for receiving packages from the first housing and for moving them through the second housing, and means for spraying a solution onto the bottom of the packages in the last named spraying chamber and onto the other two walls of the packages for com'- pleting the covering of the packages with a moisture-proof seal.

6. A hermetic package sealing machine comprising a, housing having a spraying chamber and a drying chamber, means for moving six-sided packages through the housing, means for applying a tearing tape to the tops of the packages passing through the spraying chamber, means for spraying a solution onto the top and tvvo sides of the packages in the spraying solution, the solution drying on the packages in the drying chamber, means for severing the tape between adjacent packages in the drying chamber, a second housing having a spraying chamber and a drying chamber, means for receiving packages from the first housing and for moving them through the second housing and means for spraying a solution onto the bottom of the packages in the last named spraying chamber and onto the other two walls of the lpack-ages for completing the covering of the packages with a moisture-proof seal, and means for draining off any excess solution from the two spraying chambers.

7. A machine for hermetically sealing `packages having six lplanar surfaces comprising a iirst housing having a spraying and a drying chamber therein, a plurality of spaced rollers in said housing for supporting the lower surface of each package, an endless belt having projections thereon for moving packages over said rollers, a `plurality of spaced rollers in said housing for contacting the sides and upper surface of the packages, spray means supported within said housing and adjacent said rollers and positioned adjacent to the sides and one horizontal surface of the packages for applying solution to the sides and said one horizontal surface of the packages, a second housing adjacent the end of and extending normal to the first chamber and having a spraying chamber and a drying chamber therein, said second housing containing an endless belt intersecting an extension of the line of travel of the belt in the first housing, said second housing having rollers arranged similar to those in the rst housing, and spray means in the second housing adjacent the ends 4and other horizontal surface for applying solution to the ends and said other horizontal surface of the packages.

8. A machine for hermetically sealing packages having six planar surfaces comprising a rst housing having a spraying and a drying chamber therein, a plurality of spaced rollers in said housing contacting two sides and the two interposed horizontal panels of said packages, an endless belt having projections thereon for moving packages through said housing, spray means supported Within said housing and adjacent said rollers and positioned adjacent three planar surfaces of the packages for applying solution to said three planar surfaces of each package, a second housing adjacent the end of and extending normal to the rst chamber and having a spraying chamber and a dry chamber therein, said second chamber containing an endless belt intersecting an extension of the line of travel of the belt in the rst housing, said second housing containing rollers arranged similai` to those in the rst housing, and spray means in the second housing positioned adjacent the remaining planar surfaces of the packages for applying solution to the said remaining three surfaces of each package.

LESTER L. BRANDENBURG. GEORGE W. OREM.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 5 1,391,388 Karl Sept. 20, 1921 2,002,507 Porter May 28, 1935 2,206,179 Frank July 2, 1940 2,261,138 Bullerjahn Nov. 4, 1941 2,330,124 James Sept. 21, 1943 10 2,334,087 Goebel et al. NOV. 9, 1943 2,350,244 Malhiot May 30, 1944 2,372,982 Richards et al Apr. 3, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS lr Number Country Date 472,388 Great Britain Sept. 21, 1937 OTHER REFERENCES Bakelite Review, April 1946i, pp. 35, The Standby Fleet.

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