Patent GB-1019953-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a packing machine
Inventor: BEERMANN ERICH
IPC: B65B57/00
Filed: 1963-02-19
Abstract: 1,019,953. Wrapping - machines. A. SCHMERMUND. Feb. 19, 1963, No. 6672/63. Heading B8C. A wrapping machine in which groups of articles are enclosed in a blank includes sensing means for the groups and blanks so as to ensure that a blank is always present when a group of articles is fed to the wrapping station and to regulate the speed of the machine according to the supply of groups of articles. Blank supply. - Creased blanks, Fig. 5, are pulled from the base of a stack in a magazine 213 by suction arms 221 and engaged by rollers 227-230 for forwarding past glue applying means 232, 233 to beneath a vertically reciprocatable ram 202, Figs. 1, 4. Sectors on the rollers 232 apply glue to the flaps 28. Further means (Fig. 9, not shown) applies adhesive to the flap 21 when the blank comes to rest beneath the ram. Mounted on the ram are bars 11, 12 on bell-cranks, rollers 211 on which are engaged by stationary means (not shown) during the latter part of the ram's travel. The ram initially pushes the blank through an aperture in a plate 295, folding it to U- form and pressing it into a cell 3 of a turret 2. Side plates 5, Fig. 4, fold in flaps 26 and movement of the bars 11, 12 spreads outwards flaps 21, 22. Micro-switches 306, 308, 316 are arranged along the blank path, Fig. 1.  Article supply and group wrapping. Articles such as cigarette packets stacked two high are fed from machines producing them (not described) by a single or multi-lane conveyer 281 and transferred by a ram 279, Fig. 12, to a belt 260 flanked by belts 275 for transmission to a stop 143 adjacent the wrapping station. Here a pusher 179 forces them into a cell 3 containing a partially folded blank and having rotated 90 degrees from the ram station. A reciprocating blade 10 folds down the flap 21, Figs. 1, 4 to produce the condition shown in Fig. 7 and the turret rotates again so that a guide 180 folds down the flap 22. Reciprocable holder bars 14, Fig. 4, initially retain the package then withdraw and rods 7, actuated by the ramming of another blank into the turret, eject it on to a support 53. Plates 52 engage the fold line for the flaps 28 to bend them slightly in their intended direction of folding and a pusher 198 thrusts the package between plates 51 to fold down the flaps 28 and advance a row of previously formed packages. Micro-switches 253, 255, 257, 300, 302, 304, 310, 312, 314 monitor the passage of the articles along the conveyer belt 260. AUTOMATIC CONTROLS. - Wrapping machine speed control.-The switches 310, 312, 314 are arranged to be engaged by articles as they are pushed on to the conveyer 260 by the pusher 279 and are one less than the number of supplying machines, i.e. of supply lines on conveyer 281. According to whether one, two or three articles (i.e. stacks of two packets) are missing so will the switches be actuated and the rate of operation of the wrapping machine modified accordingly. The wrapping machine is driven by a motor 121, Fig. 1, mounted on a platform 130 slidable along guides 122. Movement of the platform alters the distance between a driving and driven pulleys 132, 133 of an infinitely variable drive to modify the speed of the wrapping operation. The switches 310, 312, 314 control a motor 127/128 beneath the platform 130 which rotates a threaded spindle 123 engaging a nut secured to the platform and thus alters the drive speed of the machine. A projection 326 on the platform successively engages switches 319-324 arranged in circuits prepared according to the operation of the switches 310, 312, 314 to stop the motor 127/128 to produce 75%, 50%, 25% of full output as required. If no packets are fed on to the conveyer 260, stoppage of the machine with consequent drying of glue on the transfer rollers is prevented, the three micro-switches 300, 302, 304 being arranged to permit idling of the turret. If the feeler of switch 300 drops, a solenoid 190, Fig. 1, latches the pusher 179 in its rearward position. Switch 304 ensures, however that this takes place only after the two blanks en route to the article inserting station have been used. Also the feeler of 304 must drop before a speed variation is initiated to prevent changes due to minor fluctuations of article supply. Wrapper and article feed control.-The microswitch 304 in conjunction with switches 300, 302, above the conveyer 260 controls vacuum to the blank feed arms 221 and the blank operated switches 306, 308 and 316 enable re-establishment of blank feed after interruption by dropping of the feeler of 304. If only switch 300 is engaged, one blank is fed and then none for two cycles; if switches 300, 302 are engaged two are fed followed by an absence of one. If 300, 302, 304 are engaged, blanks are fed normally. The feed is only re-established when a blank is not in engagement with switches 306, 308. The timing of the blank feed vacuum and pusher 179 latching arrangements is controlled by cam-operated switches. If a packet is upright instead of as shown, on the conveyer 260 it engages a switch 253 to stop the machine. A switch 255 prevents operation of the pusher 179 if no packets prior to those shown adjacent the pusher are present. Timers may be used to prevent minor fluctuations. Control circuits are described (Figs. 15-17, not shown).