Patent GB-536733-A (GB)
Title: An improved method of, and means for, manufacturing the flats of christmas crackers
IPC: A41G1/04
Filed: 1939-11-30
Abstract: 536,733. Bon-bon crackers. STELLING, F. R. Nov. 30, 1939, Nos. 31158 and 31159. Convention dates, Oct. 11, 1938 and June 27, 1939. [Class 132 (i)] A machine for the manufacture of blanks, known as " flats," for bon-bon crackers, comprises means for feeding layers of paper strip into the machine in superposed position, means adapted to pair the layers at intervals by drawing additional paper from the supply of one layer at least, means for preventing retraction of the layers in the wrong direction during the fanning operation, and means for securing the layers at intervals in the fanned condition. A prime mover J operates driving mechanism K. which rotates shafts 18 by belts 20 to supply paper layers 21, 22 preferably of crepe paper from rolls 14, 14'. Paper 23, preferably plain, is also drawn from a roll 14<SP>2</SP>. Foil strips 24, one side of which are backed may be applied to layer 22 by spaced rollers 25 co-operating with gluing rollers 27, the paper 22 and foil 24 then passing over drum 26 and a roller 31 which has a flat portion 32 to relieve paper 22 of pressure. The whole foil applying device B is carried on a frame 37 which may be removed from the machine. Another device B' applies two spaced unbacked foil strips 24<SP>1</SP> to layer 23 to strengthen the crimp, and comprises supply rolls 38 and a drum 39 on which the paper 23 and foil 24<SP>1</SP> are united, the paper being coated. by gluing rollers when passing over roller 43. The layers 21, 22, 23 are drawn on to spaced guide plates 34, 35, 36 having adjustable side rails and so to separator plates 47, 48 and platen 49 respectively. The driving mechanism K periodically causes a gripper 62 to fall on the superposed layers, the gripper 62 having spaced toothed blades 66 which pass through the layers into corresponding recesses 66', Fig. 10, in platen 49. Fingers carried by arm 57 then lift blades hinged to plates 47, 48 over which layers 21, 22 are passing to draw additional paper from rolls 14, 14<SP>1</SP>. A wire stitching device E then descends through a gap 60<SP>1</SP> to stitch the layers together at 69, (Fig 13). Gripper 62 is then lifted, spring loaded strippers 67 forcing the layers off the toothed blades 66. The layers then pass to a reciprocable table 70 carrying a gripper 71 hold-- ing the layers against the table during advancemovement but releasing them during retraction of the table. The gripper 71 is fixed at each side of the table to a bell-crank lever 73, 74 pivoted at 75 and is normally kept in contact with the layers by springs 79, but when the table has advanced, rail 85 on levers 74 is engaged by adjustable stops 86 to raise the gripper 71. Levers 74 are held thus by spring pawls 81 on upright 78 mounted on table 70 engaging notches 80 until table 70 has retracted to its original position when pawls 81 are released by their tails striking upright 64 mounted on the frame 17'. Spring fingers prevent the layers being retracted with the table. With table 70 in its fully retracted position, a guillotine G mounted on the table severs the finished flat, and drops it on to conveyer belts 99 driven at a higher speed, to deliver the flats on to reciprocable rods or plates 105 where they are dressed before being deposited on the stack carrier 104. One or both of the foil applying devices may be omitted or may be designed to apply only one foil strip. The lifting blades on the plates 47, 48 may be replaced by rails. The stitching device E may be replaced by a spot gluer or by a sewing machine. The spring loaded strippers 67 on gripper 62 may be replaced by rubber pads. The guillotine may be mounted on the frame instead of on the reciprocable table.