Patent GB-1136991-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to method and machine for placing ties around a bundle of letters, cards or like articles
IPC: B65B27/08
Filed: 1966-04-28
Abstract: 1,136,991. Bundling machines; tied packages. HOTCHKISS - BRANDT. 28 April, 1966 [5 May, 1965], No. 18622/66. Heading B8C. General.-In a machine A, Fig. 8, for bundling a stack of letters or like articles, four ties, (9-12) Figs. 1-6 (not shown), fed from reels 19-21, via tensioning means, and joined by a U-shaped clip (5), form a cross overlying a platform C hydraulically reciprocable below a hole 7 in a table 8; the stack is placed on the ties over the platform and a device D lowered hydraulically to compress the stack by means of a ring 52 simultaneously with the platform C being lowered to form the ties around the four sides of the stack, and to allow two pairs of flaps 60 to be moved hydraulically to a horizontal position over the stack, maintaining it compressed and allowing the device D to be withdrawn by a spring 59. Plates 13, 13a, and 14, 14a are then driven over the stack to position the ties (9, 10) across the stack top, and pivoted pairs of fingers 107, 107a are closed to similarly position ties (11, 12); a block 117, carrying clip appliers and the tie cutter, is then driven forward from between the plates 14, 14a, to apply two superposed clips, fed from a hopper H, Figs. 8 and 17, and sever the ties between the clips; the block 117 is then withdrawn, plates 13, 13a, 14, 14a and fingers 107, 107a are opened, the platform C descends and pivots to discharge the bundle stack, the flaps 60 are moved to their upright position by means of a spring (73a), Fig. 11 (not shown), and the platform again rises to its original position. The machine parts are driven hydraulically under control of cams 221 and a distributer valve 204, each operational cycle being started manually through an electromagnet (220), Fig. 18. Pneumatic drive may be used instead. Two, three or more than four ties may be applied. Positioning, clipping and cutting ties.-Each pair of plates (13, 13a) and (14, 14a) slides in two slideways (74), Fig. 13. Two chains (88), connected to members (84) on the plates (14, 14a) and extending round sprockets on either side of the opening 7, are joined to the piston 93 of an hydraulic jack 94. Two other chains (95) are connected at one end to members 96 on the plates (14, 14a), and at the other end to members (87) on the plates (13, 13a). A final pair of chains 100 are connected at one end in slots (101) to plates (13, 13a) and at the other end to return springs 104. When the jack 94 is operated, the piston 93 descends, drawing the plates (14, 14a) and (13, 13a) to a position half overlying the stack. One finger of each pair (107, 107a), Fig. 13, of the tie positioning fingers are mounted one above the other on, and between, plates 13, 13a by a lever (108) which carries toothed segment (110) in engagement with a similar segment on the bar carrying the other two fingers. One lever is connected to a jack 111 which operates to pivot the levers towards each other, closing the two pairs of fingers, and sweeping the ties (11, 12) over the stack. A spring (115) returns the levers to their original position. The hydraulically driven block (117), Figs. 15 and 16 (not shown), slides between the plates 14, 14a and carries four pinching jaws (119a- 119d)provided in opposed relation in pairs and located along the upper and lower faces of the block. The jaws (119a and 119c) and (119b and 119d) are pivoted about pins (122, 123) respectively and carry rollers (127, 130), the rollers being urged against a cam (131) by a spring (125) extending between the jaws. The cam (131) is slidable in the block (117), being retained in a withdrawn position by a spring (133), but on being hydraulically driven forward it closes the jaws to clinch two clips about the four ties. The clips are retained in clinching position by a fixed abutment (136) on the block (117), and a fastener thrust means (138) slidably mounted in the block. An hydraulically operated blade (157) cuts the ties.