Patent GB-1376866-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for inserting a strip of material along a side of packet introduced into a container
IPC: B65B25/00
Filed: 1973-05-16
Abstract: 1376866 Inserting packets and thin sheet material into containers J BOBST & FILS SA 16 May 1973 [24 May 1972] 23295/73 Heading B8C A method of inserting a thin sheet of strip material 15 against a side of a packet of articles which packet is inserted into a container 6 having an opening comprises the steps of positioning a strip of the thin material adjacent to the opening of the container, gripping a marginal edge of the strip, inserting a packet into the container, said packet bending the strip adjacent the marginal edge being gripped and carrying the remaining portion of the strip into the container to be disposed along the side of the packet. As shown, folded boxes 1, Figs. 1, 2 are directed, as a flow 9, on a table 10 in the direction F up to a separator 2 which is in its lowered position and a movable stop 12, mounted on wheels 14 and carrying strip-engaging tongs 21 which are adapted to co-operate with forwardly and rearwardly-located cam-members 29, 30 respectively, is biased, by means not shown, to advance forward up to the separator 2. When the separator 2 is raised the flow of boxes 9 pushes the stop 12 rearwards along the table 10 until it passes between two fixed stops 3 which arrest the flow 9 whereupon the separator 2 is lowered to separate the packet 1 from the remaining flow 9. The stops 3 are adjustable, in the longitudinal direction of the machine, to vary the length of a packet 1, the cam members 29, 30 also being adjustably mounted. During the first retractive movement of the movable stop a length of material 15 is not drawn from a roll 16 and along a guideway 17, the plates 33, 34 of which are laterally collapsible by a pneumatic motor 20. A length of material is not picked up because the cam wheel 27 on an arm 25, Fig. 4, which operates the jaws 22, 23 of tongs 21, co-operates, at the advanced position of the stop 12, with a flat surface, Fig. 8, of the forwardmost cam member 29 which, at the time, is in the upper of its two positions. When the packet 1 has been formed a pneumatic motor 5 operates a pusher 4 which transfers the packet 1 into the container 6 which is held by catches 8, the table 7 being vertically movable by a pneumatic cylinder 55, Fig. 2. After withdrawal of the pusher 4 the stop 12 with the tongs 21, is advanced again up to the separator 2 the jaws 22, 23 of the tongs 21 being opened to receive the strip 15 as the cam roller 27 engages the surface 52 of the cam 29 which is in its lower position. As the separator 2 is raised the cam 29 is lowered so that the jaws 22, 23 close and grip the strip 15 which is thus pulled along the open guideway 17, the separator 2 being again lowered to form a second packet 1<SP>1</SP> as the stop 12 passes the fixed stops 3, and the rear cam 30 causes the jaws 22, 23 to release the end of the strip 15. Simultaneously the strip 15 is cut at 18, 19 the movable plate 34 of the guideway 17 is moved toward the fixed plate 33 by a pneumatic cylinder 27 so that the marginal edge of the strip 15 is gripped, and the table 7 is lowered so that the second packet 1<SP>1</SP> can be inserted into the container above the packet 1. As the pusher 4 is actuated to move the second packet 1<SP>1</SP> into the container 6 the strip 15 is bent along the edge gripped by the plates 33, 34 and is carried into the container 6 and disposed between the packets 1, 1<SP>1</SP>, the end portions of the strip also being folded upwardly. The plates 33, 34 then release the strip 15 and the pusher 4 is retracted ready for another packaging sequence.