US2917876A - Packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 22, 1959 c. c. CLAPP PACKAGING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 23, 1956 ZZZ k N W0 R fifm m fl J a a Q a? Dec; 22, 1959 c. c. CLAPP PACKAGING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 23, 1956 INVENTOR.

CHA FILES C. CLAPP Dec. 22, 1959 c. c. CLAPP PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

CHARLES C. CLAPP A 7'7'0 RA/EY Unit d ta sPatfifO" PACKAGING MACHINE Charles C. Clapp, Tacoma, Wash., assignor to Weyerhaeuser Timber Company, Tacoma, Wash., a corporation of Washington This invention relates to a method and apparatus for packaging articles, and, although the invention is not to be limited to the packaging of a specific product, it is described herein in connection with the packaging of a fuel product known on the market as Pres-to-Logs. Such fuel product, made chiefly for fireplace use, is cylindrical in shape and is formed by compressing sawdust containing a natural or added binder.

A principal object of the present invention is toprovide a novel method and apparatus for wrapping a plurality of articles together in a common package.

Another object is to provide an improved method of applying andsecuring a single flat wrapper to a plurality of objects to form a break-apart package.

"Another object is to provide an Improved packaging machine which applies and secures a wrapper in one direction around a plurality of articles to form an opensided package.

More specific objects are to provide a packaging machine having means for perforating a wrapper in longitudinal lines and means for applying glue lines to the wrapper on both sides of the perforation lines for adher- I ing articles of manufacture to said wrapper parallel to said perforations whereby a single article and its wrapper portion can be torn from the package; to' provide a machine arranged to drop articles to be packaged on asuspended wrapper whereby a partial folding of the wrapper is accomplished by the weight of the article; and to pro- L vide a combination off-bearing conveyor and press means which carries the package to an unloading station and which applies pressure to glue joints between the package and articles therein while the package is traveling to said unloading station.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide control means for an electrical and pneumatic system for efficiently governing the performance .of a series of operations in sequence in a packaging operation.

In the present packaging machine, elongated flat wrap- I per blanks are moved individually from the bottom of a stack of the blanks in a longitudinal direction into perforating means which act to apply full length perforation lines to the blanks and to feed the blanks through glue rollers which apply longitudinal glue lines to the wrapper on each side of the perforating lines. The perforating means also feeds the wrapper blanks into pairs of beveled rollers which transversely curve the blanks to impart longitudinal rigidity thereto and which project the blanks in such rigid condition onto spaced supports above the floor of a wrapping station. The articlesto be packaged are fed to the wrapping station and positioned above the-- into an-ofi-bearing conveyor. 7

2,917,876 Patented Dec. 22, 1959 In the final folded condition of the wrapper the glue lines extend longitudinally around the articles, and the olf-bearing conveyor has pressure applying means operative on the wrapper over the glue lines for forming an integral connection between the open-sided package and the articles therein so that the articles will not fall out. When the need for an individual article arises, the wrapper can be torn along the perforated lines to separate said article from'the rest of the package, together with its wrapperiportiona When the article so wrapped comprises artificial log fuel, the wrapper is preferably formed of cardboard whereby the portion of the wrapper which is adhered to each article can be used to assist in igniting the logs.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred form of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may take other forms, and that all such modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims which will occur to persons skilled in the art are included in the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a completed package formed by the method and apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a wrapper blank for form- 'ing the package of Figure I;

Figure -3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the packaging machine. for forming the package shown in Figure 1, taken onthe line. 3-3. of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a top plan'yiew of the machine;

I Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3 showing the bevel roller assembly for curving the blanks;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the wrapping station, with certain parts in section, showing a wrapper blank partly folded around the articles;

.Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to vFigure 4, showing feed means for delivering a predetermined number of articles to the wrapping station; 1 Figure 9 shows a wiring diagram for drive motors of the machine;

Figure 10 shows a wiring diagram of the electrical system for controlling the operation of the machine; and

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the fluid pressure system which performs various operations in the machine.

The packaging machine and method of the present invention form a unit package P for a plurality of objects, as shown in Figure l. The wrapper for this package, designated by the reference character W, is shown in blank form in Figure 2. This wrapper and the unit package P per se form no part of the present invention. The vwrapper W is illustrated herein for the packaging of cylindrical articles A, such as the wood fuel product referred to on the market as Pres-to-Logs, and are formed of a bendableand combustible material, such as a corrugated cardboard or similar material.

' Referring specifically to Figure 2, the wrapper blank W has a plurality of transverse pre-formed crease lines 15, 16, 17 and 18. In the completed form of the package, this wrapper is folded on its crease lines to form a bottom wall 20, a top wall 21, a pair of end walls 22, and an'upper flap member 23. As will be more fully described hereinafter, the wrapper is provided, by the operation of the machine, with longitudinal perforation lines 24 intermediate the articles A, as shown in Figure ama s:

1, whereby one of the articles, together with its wrapper portion, may be torn from the rest of the package. Each of the individual articles A'is glued to the wrapper by glue lines 25 extending longitudinally entirely around the article so that each articleis permanently united with its separable wrapper portion. i i '9 The machine for forming the package of Figural com: prises a supporting framework having longitudinal angle members 28, transverse angle'memebrs 29, and upright side support members 30. At one'end' of the. machine is a magazine or hopper 32 forfwrappers having upstanding angle. corner members, 33 and a front wall 34having a' bottom slot 85 through which a single wrap'pe 'r Wmay be ejected at a'time. A wiper blade 36 hinged. at itsuppf edge isdisposed across the transverse, slot' 35 and is adapted to engage the'upwardly'facin'g surface of the wrappers forthe purposeof holding the wrappersjback so as to allow only one. wrapper blankat a time "to feed out and for reriioviiig an'y. paperffr'agments or other foreign matter which may be present on the wr'appers'. The bottom wall of the hopper '32'comprises. a sup: porting plate 40, or other suitable supporting means such as longitudinal bars. As best seen in Figure 4, the plate 40 has longitudinal slots 41 and 42 joined by a restricted throat portion 43 which forms a guide for a feed arm 4 5, The arm 45 has a U-shaped head 47 carrying a plurality of upwardly projecting teeth or sharpened pins 48, the teeth 48. being engageable with the lowermost wrapper W and being forwardly inclined so that when the arm 45 moves toward the front of the magazine, a wrapperT'will move therewith. In the return, or leftward movement, of the arm 45, the angularity of the teeth permits the head to slide freely under the lowermost wrapper; The head 47 has transversely projectingp'ins 50 slidablein grooves 51 in the side 'wallsofthfe slot 41. The height of the grooves 51 is greater. than the pin diameter, wherebyithe head 47 is ahapted'to belifted slightly at' predetermined times to afpositiori whereby the teeth 48 ti'onally engage the'lowermost wrapper.

The end of the arm 45 opposite from the head 47 is pivotally mounted on a transverse. pin 55 slidably mounted in grooves 56 in the side wallsof. slot 42. Pin 55 carries one or more downwardly -depending cars '56 to which is pivotally attached a pitman 57' connectedtoa crank arm 58keyed-to a shaft 60;.Also keyed to. the shaft 6S ar'e a sprockefwheel 62,'shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, and a switch-actuatingwheel 64 having'a pair of knobs or projections 65 and 66 on one side thereof. The two' knobs are at" different radial distancesv from'the center of the wheel 64 and are engageable with's witch artists and 69 of micro-switches 70 and 71', respectively, thefpurpo'se' ofwhich will be described hereinafter. When the'rnachine is in operation 'ahd the wheel 64 is rotating, the knobs 65 and 66 engage and move past their respective switch arms to momentarily close the switches. 'The shaft 60in Figure 3 projects toward the observer from the wheel 64 and the crank arm 58, which is keyed to said shaft, is spaced sufliciently from the wheel 'to clear the switches 70 and 71. i i

The pitman 57 carries an upstanding compression spring 72 on a stud 73, and'this' sp rin'g is located ina predetermined position on'the pitman and is of 'a' p cdetermined length 'soas to be engageable with the under surface of. the head 47 only when the crank arm moving through its upper arc. In this upper arcuate movement of the crank arm, the pitman drawsthe: aim 45 through its forward s'troke, and, in thisfforward. stroke the spring72 eng'ages'the head'47 wherein thefh'eati is biased upwardly to a point Where the transverse pins 50 engage the top of the side grooves 51. Such upward movement of the head 47 insures a positive gripping of the lowermost wrapper by the teeth 48during each feed stroke. Sprocket 62- on the shaft 60' is driven by a chain 75 engaged with one wheel 'or-auouble' sprocket k'ye'd P i Y IY f? 4. to a shaft 77. Shaft 77 is driven by a chain 79 engageable' with the other sprocket wheel 76 and a'spr'ocket80 keyed to a shaft 81. Sprocket 80 is in turn driven by a chain 83 engageable with a sprocket 84 driven by an electric motor 85. The direction of rotation of this drive mechanism is clockwise as indicated by the arrow adjacent the switch actuator wheel 64.

Also keyed to the shaft 77= is asprocket wheel engaged by a chain 91 whi ch transmits power to a sprocket 92 keyedtoa shaft 93 and-a sprocket 94-.keyedto'a shaft 95, these three sprockets being shown. indotteld" lines. in Figure 3. Also keyed to the shaft 95 is a gear97, also shown in. dotted lines in Figure. 3, and: a pair of. lower perforating wheels or rolls 98 having a plurality of pins 99 on their peripheral edges, only one of such wheels being shown in Figure 3. Also keyed to the shaft 93 is a gear 100.

Disposed. above the s haft95. is, a shaft 102 to which is keyed. a sprocket 1 03 anda pair of upper perforating Wh /QI.I.Q 1 9 -t hav ng. p oje tin p n 06. n. h ir na inherah ed es, he. Whe l 05. a e di p sed.- directly. over thewhe els 9 8, and theperforating pins in each pair of upper andlower wheelsare staggered so asto inter; mesh, whe n. the wheels, rotate, the space between th wheels, exclusive of the teeth, being substantially the thickness, of a wrapper W. The wheels, 98.. and 10.5.- are adapted to providejthewrapper W with, the perforation lines 24 by, of which individual articlesA can. be torn, togetherwith, its portion of the. wrapper, from. the remaining. part, of the package. The lower perforating wheels 98 are rotatable in a clockwise direction and the upper. wheels lilfi arejrotatable in a counte'r clockwise di- Q ZQII whereby, when. drivenjby themotor 85, theyare adaptedttoifeeda wrapper to the. right into. themachine. These wheels thereby serve the dual purpose of feeding and perforatingihewrapperst Mounted. on. a stub. shaft and. meshing with the ga 1...10-3; on the shaft-102 is an idler gear 111. This geanalso'. meshes with a large gear 113 keyed on ashaft 114. which also has. keyed thereto three"'glue-applying rollers. '115,'it being noted, as viewed in Figure 4; that the rollers. 115 are 'instaggered relation relative to the perforating. rollers. 98 and 105- so that in the operation ofv the machinethe gluelines 25 are applied" parallel to the perforation'lines 24 bu't offset therefrom." The glueapplying rollers 115 are in surface contactwith a" glue supply roller 118- on a 'sha ft 119 on which is keyeda gear 120 in meshing engagement with the gear 113. Roller 118 projects into'the side of a glue pot and picks up glue therefrom and deposits it'on'theiolleis 115. The -bottom plate 40 for theimagazine 32 extends into the machine 'belowthe rollers 115 and these rollers are'dis o'sedabevejthe plate 40 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wrappers, whereby, when the perforatihg'wh'eels' 9 8 and 105 move a wrapper betwe'eri the rollers andthe plate 40, three glue lines 25 will b'e a'pplied tothe' iipper surface of the wrappers.

Disposedab0vethe. shaft 93 is a shaft 127 having a gear '128 keyedfthereto which is in meshing engage merit with the g ear on the shaft 93. Keyed to the shaft 9 3 "a"re apair'of bevel rollers 130, and keyed to the sh aft127 are a pair of bevel rollers 13 1, As. best seen injFigure i' the'bevelportions of therollers 130. and 131 incline' downwardly toward a point between the rollers and when'the wjrapperiis' engaged by these pairs, of roll s,"th poi'tion thereof which:hasniovedfthrough the roller viill bf c lil'ved intb a. ti'o'il'gh shapef This. tran iv'er'se curvature: of the wrapper. gives it longitudinal rigidity, and the portion which 'has pproceeded through thefrollefrs willbe projected rigidly in a straight line. As seen in Figure 3 the rollers 131 are slightly offset to the left relative to the rollers 130, whereby, in addition tocausing'the wrapper toassuine a curved shape in cross Section, these rollers direcrihe'"wrappeiupwarary are slight inclination. 'A wrapper'W isishown in Figure 3 completing its movement throughthebevel rollers.

Disposed in longitudinal relation to the machine frame is a double acting fluid pressure operated cylinder 135 having fluid pressure pipes 136 and'137 connected to opposite ends thereof and having a plunger 138 equipped with an upright head plate 139 having a top forwardly bent lip 140. The operation of the cylinder 135 is controlled by a four-way valve actuated by the switches 70 and 71, to be described in connection with the electrical and pneumatic systems.

Disposed adjacent the bevel rollers 130 and 131 is a wrapping station 145 and associated with this wrapping station is a magazine or hopper 146 supported on upright frame members 147 and comprising a channel-shaped chute or guideway 148 inclined slightly toward the wrapping station. The chute 148 comprises a gravity fed conveyor for feeding the articles A into the wrapping station in longitudinal alignment with' the machine, and disposed at the lower end of the conveyor148 are a pair of side trip plates or flaps 150 of'a length suflicient to support three articles A at a time. The trip plates 150 are secured to transverse shafts 152 having pinion gears 153 on one end in mesh with upright racks 154 supported at opposite ends of an arm 156. Arm 156 is centrally pivotally connected to a piston rod of a single acting fluid pressure operated cylinder 158.

Cylinder 158 has a fluid pressure pipe 160 connected to its lower end, and the operation of this cylinder is controlled by a solenoid operated valve, to be described, in turn controlled by a switch 162 mounted on a transverse frame member 161 and having an arm 163 adapted to be engaged by a wrapper which is being forwardly projected in a rigid condition from the bevel rollers 130 and 131. Engagement of the arm 163 by the forward edge of the wrapper closes the switch 162 which causes the operation of the cylinder 158 whereby the arm 156 and racks 154 move upwardly to rotate the two pinions 153 in opposite directions for pivoting the trip plates 150 downwardly and causing the three articles A on the trip plates to drop into the packaging station. Arm 156 is biased downwardly by a tension spring 164 connected between said arm and the machine frame.

Referring specifically to Figure 8, a magazine unloading arm 168 is pivotally mounted at 169 on the lower side of the chute 148 and has a pair of upstanding fingers 170 and 171 adapted to project one at a time through suitably spaced apertures 172 in the bottom wall of the chute. The end of the arm adjacent the finger 170 is pivotally connected to a piston rod of a fluid pressure operated cylinder 173 having a fluid pressure pipe 174 connected to the bottom thereof and being pivotally connected to one of the frame members 28. The piston rod is normally retracted in the cylinder 173, but, when fluid pressure is admitted to the cylinder, the outward movement of its piston rod pivots the arm 168 clockwise to move the finger 170 upwardly through an aperture 172 and between a pair of articles A. This pivotal movement of the arm 168 causes the finger 171 to move downwardly below the bottom wall of the chute to permit the articles up to the finger 170 to-roll downwardly onto the trip plates 150, the spacing of the fingers 170 and 171 being such as to permit three articles A to be deposited on the trip plates at a time. In the upward position of the finger 170 the articles in the magazine are held back thereby, and, when the piston rod is retracted in its cylinder, the articles in the magazine will roll down into engagement with the finger 171, as shown. A compression spring 175 is disposed between the arm 168'and the bottom wall of the chute 148 adjacent the finger 170, and this spring biases the arm 168 in a counterclockwise direction. Operation of the cylinder 173 is controlled by a switch 180, Figure 3, having an arm 181 projecting into the path of the plunger 138, whereby, when the plunger reaches substautially its outward stroke position, it closes the switch and causes the cylinder 173 to pivot the arm 168 and allow three articles to roll down onto the trip plates 150.

Mounted on the upright frame members 147 is a transverse bar 183 carrying a pair of shoes 184 which are disposed in predetermined spaced relation so as to be located between the glue lines 25 of a'wrapper W projecting through the wrapping station, best seen in Figure 4. Also mounted transversely of the machine on upright frame members 186 is a transverse bar 187 to which are secured three longitudinally disposed parallel straps 188. The straps 188 have the same transverse spacing as the three glue lines on the wrapper and are biased. downwardly by aplurality of springs 190 compressed un-' der longitudinal rigid frame members 191 mounted under. frame members 161. In one of the final steps of the package-forming operation, the wrapped packages P are moved under the spring-pressed straps 188 which apply pressure to the glue lines and cause the glue to unite the surfaces to be joined together.

'At the end of the machine is a conveyor 194 comprising a pair of pressure belts 195 and 196 disposed in vertically spaced relation. Belt 195 passes over rollers 197 keyed to a shaft 198, and belt 196 passes over rollers 199 keyed to a shaft 200. Shaft 200 has a sprocket 202 there-- on engaged by a drive chain 203 from a drive motor 204. Also keyed to the shaft 200 is a gear 206 meshing with a first idler gear 207, in turn meshing with an idler gear 208. Idler gear 208 meshes with a gear 209 on the shaft 198, whereby a drive connection is established between the two shafts 198 and 199. Spring-pressed rollers 210 engage the inner runs of belts 195 and 196 and apply pressure to the packages being pushed through the pressing device to set the glue in glue lines 25. The length of the conveyor 194 is such as to produce a pressure on the glue lines for a time sufficient to permit the glue to set. Heat may also be applied, if desired, if a heat and pressure sensitive glue is used.

Referring now to the electrical'system, Figure 9 shows the wiring diagram for the machine drive motor 85'and the conveyor motor 204. The motors are energized by line wires 213 and 214. Connected to one of the line wires are a pair of normally closed switches 215 and 216, and these switches are located at each end of the belt conveyor for convenience in shutting off the conveyor when desired. Connected to the line 213 is ,a start switch 217, and connected between the switch 217 and the conveyor motor 204 is a wire 218 leading to the motor 85. With this arrangement, it is apparent that upon the opening of any one of the switches 215, 216 or 217, the conveyor motor 204 as well as the machine drive motor 85 will be de-energized so that when the conveyor motor is de-energized, the drive motor 85 cannot cause packages to be moved into the conveyor. In series with the wire 218 are three switches 220, 221 and 222 which, if opened, will de-energize the machine drive motor 85 without stopping the conveyor motor.

Referring to Figure 10 there is shown an electrical system for controlling the operation of the fluid system, having a pair of supply wires 224 and 225, each provided with a master switch 226. The supply wire 224 is connected to one contact of the switch 162, and the other contact of this switch is connected to a wire 228 in turn connected to the supply wire 225 through the coil of a solenoid 229. tact of switch 70 operable by the switch arm 68. The other contact of switch 70 is connected to one end of the coil of the solenoid 232 having its other eud'connected to the supply wire 225. The wire 224 is also connected to a contact of switch 71 operable by the arm 69, and the other contact of this switch is connected to one end of a coil of a solenoid 235, the other end of this solenoid coil in turn being connected to the supply wire 225. Supply wire 224 has branch connections 238 and 239 which bypass the switches 70 and 71, respectively, and normally open push button switches 240 and 241.are

Wire 224 is also connected to a conprovided in. the lines 23-8. and 239, whereby. circuits can be established around. the switches 70 and 71,.if desired. Solenoids 232. and 235.- control the. operation. of the plungerl 1380f the cylinder. 135 in opposite directions, as will. be. more 'fullydescrihed hereinafter, and the closing of either of the.manual switches 249 0112.41. will energize. the coil. of its. respective solenoid. to. operate the plunger in the cylinder in ohe'direction. onthe'. other.

Supply wire. 22.4 is connected to one contactofl the. switch 180. and the other contact of this. switch is connectedto the coil.of.'a solenoid 243. A branch line 245 having a normally open push button switch 246 therein bypasses. the. switch lfi'flrwhereby, if the switch 246 is manually closed, the solenoid 243.will be energized;

Figure 11 shows in detailv the fluid pressure system for operating the cylinders 135, 158 and 173. The fluid pressure. pipes 136-and 137 of-the cylinder 135 lead to a foilrrway valve 2480f conventional construction, having a pressure connection at 249. and a spool-type balanced valve member 250 to connect the fluid pressure supply with one or the other of the pipes 136 or 137. The pipe 136 or 1377, whichever is not connected With pressure, communicates with an exhaust pipe 252 or 253, respectively. The valve member 250 is actuated in one directiori. by. the solenoid 232, and is actuated in the other direction by the solenoid 235. When the pin 66 on the switch actuator wheel 64engages switch arm 69 of switch 71, the coil of solenoid 235 is momentarily energized to cause the valve member 250 to be positioned so that fiuidun'der pressureis admitted through pipe 136 to the back end ofthe cylinder 135 for causing the plunger to move outwardly. When the coil of relay 232 is momentarily energizedbythe engagement of switch arm 68 by its pin 65, the. valve member 250 is moved the other way and fluid pressure is admitted to the front of cylinder. 235'to retract the plunger. Valve member 250 always remains in its last position after the actuating solenoid-is de-e'ner'g'ized. i

The 'solenoid--229 is adaptedto actuate a two-Way valve 255- which controls the operation of the cylinder 158 in turn operating the trip plates 150. The valve 255 has a balanced spool-type valve member 256 and thisvalve is connected to the pipe 160 leadingfrom cylinder 158, the fluid pressure supply pipe 249, and an exhaust pipe 258', When the coil of solenoid 229is energized, the valve member 256 'is' positioned so that fluid pressure is admitted'to' the bottom of cylinder158 to drive the piston-rod; upwardly for operating the trip plates. A spring 260 is provided in the valve 255for returning the member 256 to its rest position for exhausting the pressure from cylinder 158,

The solenoid-243 controls the operation of a two way valve 262 connected-to the pipe 174 leading to the bottom of the c ylinder173'and also connected to the fluid pressure supply-pipe 249'and an exhaust pipe 263. When the coil of-solenoid.243-is energized, the valve 262 causes flui'dito be admitted to the bottom of cylinder 173 for pivoting the arm 168 in a clockwise direction and permittingthree ofthe articles A to roll down onto the trip. plates. When solenoid 243 is de-energized, the valve isIspring-ret-urned to exhaust position as in valve 255.

Method and operation In the normal operation. of the machine, all the switches zl5, 216, 217, 220, 221 and 222 are closed and the -two motors .204 and. 85 run continuously. If any one, of; the, switches. 215 216 or..217 is. opened, both motor's willbe stopped; and. if anyoneofthe switches 221}, 221 and;2 22 .is opened, the machine drive motor 85 will be stoppcdbut the.conveyor motor will continue to. operate., In the rest position of the machine in normal.packagingtunctions, all the mentioned switches will beclosed except the starting switch 217 so that, toplace the motors in operation, the operator need only close lhi'sla'tteriswithf l N proceeding throiigh theperferating rolls is driven hy shit? When the operator closes, the switch 217 the. drive. motors. are. energized. to cause the. chains 79. and. 91 to. be. driven, whichfinturn cause the. operation of-the.pitman 57, the switch. actuator. wheel. 64, the perforating wheels. 9.8; and. 105,- the. gluerapplying rollers; 115, the. glue. supply. roller. 1.18 andfthe. bevel: rollers and, In, the. position Qf the, partsshown in Figures- 3; and;4; the rank m. 81B. mov ng. h ou h slower. arcuatetrave c u ing. he-pitm n. 7: ore a t ee m. 45 in r n s o ove h owe m t wrappe w. y.- n. this same position of the parts the pll1l1g11.1 &;l11 the. cy nde 5:. s. e rac ed andh e ti re up- POU 1I e r n lat a fllappe W disp dh W rni g tio 1 5 dhe orw rd: nd; he wfi is moving. into. engagemcntwith the switch. arm 1.63, oh switch 162, as showii in Figure 3.

When the, wrapper. in, the wrapping station engagesthe arm 163, the, switch, 1 62 i s. closed for energizingthecoil of relay 229.. which actuates the valve. 255 and fluid flows to the bottom of, cylinder,1 58 through the pipe 160. The piston rod in the cylinder. 158-- is driven outwardly for, moving the arrn156 and racks154 upwardly to rotate the trip plates 15.0 ClQW IWQIdIY and cause the threearticles, thereon to fall. onto the wrapper. After the fluid pres sure to cylinderv 1 58 is out 01f, the spring 164 retracts the, piston rodinthecylinder 158 to cause the trip plates to rotate upwardly and be ina positionto receive three more articles,

Figure 6 shows the articlesin their dropped position and, as thearticles sornove to their dropped position, theycarry the wrapper downwardly into engagement with thefloor of the wrapping station, the creases- 16 and 17'; being dispos ed at-thistirne in vertical alignment withthe 14s f: e; l s; ame h Pa wil be a a l formed Qne endof the wrapper engagestheedgecf lip 0 f he i shsn- Plate. .1 d w at er. nd f h wrapper,engages,the transverse bar.187'.

sn ra r s e n q edi ndhe,

articlfis as descri d,rotation of the shaft 60; has caused the pitman 57 to moveanother wrapper into the perforating rolls Also, at. this time the pin 66 on the switch a tu t r. W e .4; 1101 6 into e me t wi e 69 of switch 71 to close this switch for energizingv the coil of solenoid 235. When the coil of this solenoid is energized, it actuates. the valve 248 to cause fluid under, pressuretoflow to. the rear end of the cylinder 135;. whereby theplunger,138 will be moved-outwardly. The head plate ,139 -is,of predetermined height so that the lip 144 folds the flap 23 ov er the upper end of the articles, as. shown in Figure.7,- this view showing the articles, moved part way through the wrapping station with a flap. 23being folded on its crease 15.

As the .articles movetothe Figure 7 position, the for: ward or leading endofthe package moves under the. transverse bar 187 which causes the wrapper to be folded back on its crease 18, the .upwardly projecting portion of the wrapper engaging, the shoes 184 on the bar 183, it. beingremembered that theshoes 184 are spaced soas-to be betweenthe glue lines.2 5. Additionalinovement of theuplunger moves thepackageunder the straps 188. to fold the top 2101" the wrapper down on the articles and onthe flap 23, and, about this time, the plunger 138. engages the arm 1810f switch which closes the circuit to thecoil of relay 243 to actuate the valve- 262 and causethecylinder173 to driveits piston rod upwardly and allow three more-articles to roll downon thetrip plates.15.(l. .for.thenext packaging-operation.

' When the.,plunger.1-385has.reachedthe end-of its-stroke,

the package .hasbben pushed-under the hold down. straps.

188. At this sametime, the pin .65 on the switchactri ator wheel 6.4 engagesthearm 68 of switch 70 for energizing the coil of solenoid-232 which actuates the valve 248 to supply fluid to the. front end of the cylinder and retract the plunger. The next wrapper whicl rhas been rolls under the glue-applying rolls 115 and into the bevel rollers 130 and 131 which warp and move the wrapper forwardly through the wrapping station into engagement with the switch arm 63 for repeating the next cycle' 'of operation. The packages P move from under the straps 188 to the-belt conveyor mechanism 194 and this con veyor is preferably of a length to'maintain a pressure on the glue lines a sufficient length of time to set the glue.

It. will thereby be seen that the present machine provides a continuous method of feeding, perforating and gluing a carton wrapper, then folding the wrapper around a plurality of articles and conveying the unit under pressure to a desired place. The package formed is open sided and individual articles can readily be separated from the rest of the package by tearing along a suitable'perforation line 24. When the article being packaged comprises a fuel product, the wrapper. portion, which is removed from the package with an article therein, can be used to assist in igniting the article. I Having now described my invention and in what manner the same may be used, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A machine for wrapping an elongated article comprising means for applying a glue line longitudinally along one face of an elongated wrapper blank, means. for de-,

positing an article longitudinally on said glue line, means for transversely folding said wrapper around both ends of said article and over the top thereof, and means for pressing said wrapper against said article on said glue line.

2. A machine for wrapping articles-comprising means for forming spaced parallel tear lines in a wrapper blank, means for applying parallel strips Of glue to one face of said wrapper on both sides of said tear-lines, means for depositing a separate article on each of said glue strips, and means for folding said wrapper around said articles.

3. A machine for wrapping elongated articles in elongated wrapper blanks comprising means for forming parallel longitudinal tear lines in said blank, means for applying parallel longitudinal strips of glue on opposite sides of said tear lines, means for applying a separate article longitudinally on each glue line, and means for folding said blank transversely around the ends of said articles to overlie opposite sides thereof.

4. A machine for wrapping articles comprising power driven perforating rolls arranged to perforate a wrapper in parallel spaced lines and to drive said wrapper in said machine, means for applying strips of glue to one face of said wrapper on both sides of said perforation lines, means for depositiing a separate afiicle on each of said glue strips, and means for folding said wrapper around said articles.

through said machine, means for applying glue lines to one face of said wrapper on both sides of said perforation lines, a wrapping station, means operable on said wrapper to move said wrapper into said wrapping station after disengagement thereof by said perforating rollers, means at said wrapping station for depositing a separate article on each of said glue strips, and means for folding said wrapper around said articles.

6. An article packaging machine comprising a magazine for stacked wrapper blanks, means for sliding a single wrapper blank at a time from the bottom of said magazine, perforating rolls in the path of movement of said wrapper adapted to perforate said wrapper in parallel spaced lines, means for applying glue lines to one face of said wrapper on both sides of each line of perforations each of said glue lines serving to receive and fix a separate article, a wrapping station, means operable on said wrapper for moving said wrapper into said wrapping station, article depositing means above said wrapping Nation for supporting a predetermined number of articles ""10 above said wrapper and depositing said articles by gravity on said wrapper, and means for folding said wrapper around said articles.

7'. A machine for wrapping elongated articles comprising means for longitudinally feeding individual elongated wrapper blanks, means for forming parallel longitudinal tear lines in said wrappers, means for applying longitudinal glue lines to the upper face of said wrappers on both sides of said tear lines, article depositing means for supporting a predetermined number of articles longitudinally disposed in side by side relation above a wrapper and arranged to deposit said articles on the upper face of said wrapper, means for folding said wrapper transversely around the ends of said articles, and press means for adhering said articles to said wrapper at said glue lines.

8. A machine for wrapping articles comprising means for applying parallel glue lines to wrappers for said articles, a wrapping station having a floor, means to pro-. ject said wrappers individually into said wrapping station above said floor surface, article feed means disposed above said wrapping station, said article feed means being arranged to support a number of articles equal to the number of glue lines on said wrapper, means in said article feed means for releasing said articles simultaneously for depositing them on said wrapper in engages ment with said glue lines, and means for folding said wrapper around said articles.

9. A'machine for wrapping articles comprising a wrap-. ping stationhaving a floor, means to move a wrapper for said articles into said wrapping station, support means at opposite endsof said wrapping station for suspending said wrapper above said floor, transverse feed means for, said articles adapted to support apredetermined number of articles over said suspended wrapper, release means on said feed means adapted to drop said articles on said wrapper for forcing the wrapper downwardly to said floor and partially folding said wrapper around said articles, and control means engageable by said wrapper for actuating said release means.

10. A machine for wrapping articles comprising a wrapping station having a fioor, means to move a wrapper for said articles into said wrapping station, a transverse support member at one end of said wrapping station arranged to underlie said wrapper, a plunger normally disposed at the other of end of said wrapping station, a transverse lip on said plunger arranged to underlie said 'wrapper, support means adapted to support articles to be packaged above said wrapper and adapted to release said articles for depositing them on said wrapper, said articles when deposited on said wrapper forcing said wrapper to said floor between said transverse support member and said lip, said downward movement of said wrapper between said transverse support member and said lip partially folding said wrapper around said articles.

11. A machine for wrapping articles comprising a wrapping station having a floor, means to move a wrapper for said articles into said wrapping station, a transverse support member at one end of said wrapping station arranged to underlie said wrapper, a plunger normally disposed at the other end of said wrapping station, means for driving said plunger through said wrapping station, a transverse lip on said plunger arranged to underlie said wrapper, article supporting members above said wrapping station for suspending said articles to be packaged above said wrapper and adapted to release said articles for depositing them by gravity on a wrapper supported in said wrapping station, said articles when deposited on said wrapper forcing said Wrapper to said floor whereby said downward movement of the wrapper between said transverse support and said lip on the plunger partially folds said wrapper around said articles, and means to drive said plunger through said wrapping staltion to fold portions of the wrapper around said artic es.

12. In an article packaging machine, a wrapping stationt having a. floor,- means to move; a wrapper for; said articles into-saidwrapping station, support means .at; op posite ends of said wrapping station forlsuspendingsaid' wrappen abovetsaidfloor, a transverse chute extending intovsaid wrapping station, apair of trip plates at-the end'of said'chute adapted to support'a: predetermined; number,- of articles, drive meansrassociated withesaidatrip plates for rotatingsaid', plates between a position for holding said predetermined number ofarticleslabovosaidsuspendedawrapper. andza positionlfordropping,said articleson said wrapper, a pivoted arm adjacent said chute, and: spaced'fingersl on said arm projecting into said :chute. for passing 7 said predetermined" number I of articles sonto, said trip plates upon pivoted .movementoflsaidaarmt,

13: In apackagingrnachinefor wrapping articles,- a,

magazine for holdin g a-plurality of wrappers, a reciprocating feed arm-fonremovingiasingle..wrapper.-frornlsaid magazine at atime drive mea-nsiforlsaid feed arm, means for perforating-said wrappers inlongitudinal parallel lines, means for.v applying longitudinal glues. lines: on each side of said perforation, a wrapping-station, articleholding means 1 at said wrapping station adaptedto deposit .art-icles by'gravitylongitudinally .on the glue lines on saidwrappers article supplymeanst for feedingarticles tosaidholding means,- a reciprocating plunger adjacent saidw-r-apping station adapted to fold said wrapper-around said articles, means operated by saidfeedarm driverneans for controlling the reciprocatingmovernent sofisaid lplunger, means operated bysaid plunger for controllin-gthe operation of the-article supply means, and meansoperated by a wrapper in said wrappingstationnforactuating said :article holding means.

14. A method of-wrapping-elongated articles compriseing perforating an elongated wrapper alonglongitudinal parallel lines, applying longitudinal strips of glue on one faceof saidiwrapper on each side. of? said perforation linfisrdepositing an articlesto be packaged onseach ofsaid glue linesrini longitudinal-contact therewith, andwfolding said w r.apper transversely, around the..ends' of saicLar ticles.

15. A, method of wrapping a plurality of fiat-ended cylindrical articles ina singlepackage comprising per forating a flat wrapper blank along parallel lines, apply.- ing strips. of glueuon one face of. said wrapper on each side ofsaidperforation lines, suspending said: wrapper by spaced supports, depositing said articlesby gravity on each of. said glue lines intermediate said supports forlowering said-wrapper and partially folding itaround the ends of said articles, thereafter folding saidwrapperaround the remaining portion ofsaid articles, and subsequently applying. pressure to saidwrapperat said glue lines 16. The article packaging machine of claim-12 inwhich theirneans. tomove the wrapper forsaid articles-into said wrapping station includes a double pair ofbeveled rollers-disposed in transversely spaced relation-adjacent saidwrapping station relative to the direction of= feedmovement, said pairs of rollers being beveled in 0p posite directions for feedingsaid wrapper into said wrapping station in a transversely warped longitudinally rigid condition.

Refe ences it d n. h, P e t umrnnl STATES PATENTS 639,-354- Butler Dec. 19; 1899 2,294,220 Albertson Aug. 25, 1942 2,509,622 Woolcott May 30 1950 2,522,682- Lewis-- "Sept. 19, 1950 2,603,922" Chidsey July 2 2, 19-52 2,677,221 Currie May 4,1954- 2,8-38,188 Mason June- 10, 1958:

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