Patent GB-592746-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the packaging of articles
IPC: B65B11/42
Filed: 1945-04-19
Abstract: 592,746. Wrapping-machines. ROSE, A. G., FITCHETT, J. A., and ROSE BROS. (GAINSBOROUGH), Ltd. April 19, 1945, No. 10048/47. Divided out of 592,716. [Class 94 (i)] A method of producing packages of the construction described in Specification 592,716 comprises continuously feeding a spaced succession of articles in timed relation to the feeding of a succession of wrapper blanks in a transverse direction thereto, so that the forward end of each article in turn engages a wrapper and in co-operation with folding elements causes it to fold about the forward, upper and lower faces of the article, and transferring the partly wrapped articles in turn to separate pockets in a sealing member arranged for movement transverse to that of the articles, the sealing member co-operating with sealing elements to seal the opposed free marginal portions of the wrapper to complete the package. Articles such as slabs of cake 13 are fed by hand on to a platform 18 between side guides 20 and are successively fed forward by pushers 22 extending through a slot in the platform 18 and carried on endless chains 19. Feed rollers 24 advance webs 25, 26 of heatsealable wrapping material and insert material together to a guide 32 and across the path of the articles 13 and through a slot 33 in the table 18, successive lengths of the webs being severed by cutters 34. The articles are fed in timed relation to the feeding of the webs so that eacn article engages a wrapper centrally, advancing therewith between guides 36 which fold the wrapper over the upper and lower faces of the article. The wrapper extends rearwardly of the article by equal amounts on its upper and lower surfaces, and also extends beyond the sides thereof. A pair of transfer members not shown, push the partly wrapped article into a pocket 37 of a rotatable pocket wheel 38 constituting the sealing member and comprising several pockets each formed with one yieldable side 48 to facilitate entry for the articles. The wheel 38 is then rotated to bring the article to a first sealing station where the rear marginal portions of the wrapper are nipped, sealed, and crimped by heated jaws 54 carried on sealing arms 51 operated from a reciprocating rod 53, while a further pocket is brought into position to receive the article. The wheel is then rotated to bring the article to a second sealing station where two pairs of sealing arms 56 operate in the same manner as the arms 51 to seal the side portions of the wrapper, while a pair of outer members 57 form a pair of slits in the outward seal, to facilitate the opening of the package, in line with the longitudinal edges of the insert formed from the web 26, the insert being in the form of a narrow web of paper, foil or. the like. extending centrally from an edge of the package through the marginal seal and around the entire inside periphery of the package. The wheel is then rotated to bring the package to a delivery station' where it is removed from the pocket 37 by a pair of pushers 61 carried on a pair of endless chains, and delivered to a platform 63 having side guides 64 with slots 66 for the reception of the side seals.