Patent GB-1162091-A (GB)
Title: Wrapping Method Apparatus
Inventor: LEE CLAUDE KERWIN
IPC: B65B11/06
Filed: 1966-08-09
Abstract: 1,162,091. Seaming non-metallic sheet material; endless chain moulding machines. GENERAL FOODS CORP. 9 Aug., 1966, No. 35686/66. Headings B5A and B5K. [Also in Division B8] A mouldable product, e.g. a patty, is packaged by being placed on one of a number of wrapper blanks which are being conveyed along a horizontal path; each blank is folded about the product deposited on it, and the folds are sealed. The product is shaped while simultaneously the blank is partially wrapped around it. As described, the mould conveyer 25 comprises mould links 26 and moves in an endless path around a product-forming turret 15 and a wrappersealing turret 20. A mechanism 30 produces wrapper blanks having a tear pleat and applies one to the upper surface of each mould link 26. The links may include inserts (268), Figs. 4, 5 (not shown), having a gripping affinity for the wrapper. An assembly 35 (including the other conveyer) folds down the upstanding wrapper edges which are pressed by heated elements on the sealing turret. A mechanism 40 sweeps the finished packages off the mould conveyer. The wrapper may consist of two superposed sheets, one having a medial pleat (56) forming a tear strip and the other being secured to the first along the pleat and along two lines (79) parallel to the pleat and adjacent the sheet edges. A pull tab (57) may be adhered to one end of the pleat and cuts (58) formed in the wrapper on either side of it. Wrapper fabricator (30) (see Fig. 7).-A web 32 is supplied from a roll controlled by a constant tension device, comprising a spool 81, against which a brake shoe 84 is biased by the action of a lever 83. The pivotal inclination of the lever is controlled by an eccentric cam 92 integral with a bent arm 88 to which a dancer roller 87 is secured. A similar device supplies a web 33. After web 32 has passed through a pleating device 108, see also Fig. 12 (not shown), both webs are superposed and pass over a heated roller 120 which seals the pleat folds and the webs together intermediate the edges of the pleat (56), at the same time securing thereto at spaced intervals the pull tab (57) supplied from a reel 122. Rollers 130, 135, see also Fig. 8 (not shown), include longitudinal, 143, and transverse, 133, cutting means and suction passages 144 in the roll 135 to deliver measured lengths of pull tab and form the cuts (58). Subsequently the webs 32, 33 are sealed together adjacent their edges by rollers 169, 174, and delivered to feed rollers 184, 188 which are driven to withdraw the webs from their spools. A knife on a roller 198 transversely severs the webs but leaves two narrow uncut portions which are subsequently severed when the web is applied to conveyer 25 by roller 204. The roll 120 may pivot downwards, clear of the webs to prevent burning in case of stoppage. Forming the product; sealing the package (Fig. 38).-Each mould 26 includes a piston 311 whose vertical movement is controlled by a cam rail 315 disposed around the product forming turret which acts as a floating bottom for the mould chamber. Product is delivered by a shoot to an arcuate trough (321), Fig. 17 (not shown), rotating with the filling turret and having measuring discharge cylinders 291 which are aligned with the mould openings during filling. With the pistons 311 level with the mouth of the moulds and supporting the applied wrappers, material fills the cylinders and rests on the wrappers, a scraper (325) and brush (326), Fig. 35 (not shown), levelling off the material at the mouth of the cylinder. Rams (298), Figs. 17, 36 (not shown), press the material through the cylinder into the moulds with the wrapper, the piston 311 descending and again rising a short way to square off the package base, Fig. 37 (not shown). The filled moulds leave the turret (15), and on the straight run, folding means 366, 367 carried by a conveyer 360 which moves faster than the conveyer 25 overtake the partially wrapped package to fold down the trailing edges thereof. Subsequent means in the form of blades (381) on a conveyer (371) running alongside the mould conveyer as illustrated in Figs. 40, 41 (not shown), hold down the foldeddown trailing edges and a plough (385) folds down the leading edge. A finger 402 retains unfolded the leading portion of the wrapper carrying the tab (57) until folded down by the end of the slot (388) in the plough. At the wrapper sealing turret heated platens (432), Fig. 24 (not shown), seal the package closure as each package is pressed upwards against it by the respective piston 311. To prevent burning in case of stoppage when heat sealing the folds, the disc heating the platens (432) is raised bodily by an inflatable element (450). Finally, the pistons raise the packages clear of the moulds to be engaged by pushers (47) on chains (470), Fig. 25 (not shown), running transversely to the mould conveyer and swept into discharge shoots (475). Specification 1,162,092 is referred to.