Patent GB-527982-A (GB)
Title: A machine for wrapping loaves of bread and other articles
IPC: B65B11/28
Filed: 1939-04-20
Abstract: 527,982. Packeting. BLOW, G. E. April 20, 1939, Nos. 11903 and 23939. [Class 94 (i)] A machine for wrapping loaves of bread or other articles comprises a movable pocketed carrier for the loaves, a wrapper - folding element mounted to oscillate on the carrier, a plate mounted on the carrier to form ends to each pocket and to initiate the folding of the ends of the wrapper, stationary plates adapted, during movement of the carrier, to fold the outermost part of the wrapper and part of the ends, and means for ejecting the loaves from the pockets and completing the folding of the wrapper. Waxed paper is used for wrapping and heaters are provided for sealing the foldedover parts of the wrapper. A semi - automatic machine comprises a member 35, Fig. 6, secured to a shaft 30 oscillated by a. handle 31, Fig. 7. The upper part of the member is composed of plates 37 on which plates 40 are resiliently mounted to form a pocket for the loaves. Another member 38 is connected parallel with the member 35, and the distance between the two members, and therefore the length of the pocket, can be adjusted by a handwheel 33 to suit the length of the articles to be wrapped. End folders 51, pivoted to the plates 35, 38, are operated by cams 55 secured to the arms of another folder 42, pivoted on the shaft 30, which is also oscillated by the movement of the handle 31. Dog clutches 36, 47, with lost motion, are interposed between the shaft and the parts 35, 42 to ensure the correct sequence of operation. In use, a wrapper 21, Fig. 1, is placed over the open top of the pocket and a loaf is placed in the pocket by hand, or mechanically, to fold up the sides of the wrapper. The handle 31 is then rocked and causes the folder 42 to turn about the shaft 30, and the cams 55 cause the folders 51 to close the ends 23, Fig. 2, of the wrapper. Plates 45, 46 pass over the loaf and fold the parts 24, 25, of the wrapper, as shown in Fig. 3. The plates 35, 38 now commence to move, and stationary plates 57, 59 engage and fold the portions 26, 27 of the wrapper. The movement of the folder 42 stops, but the movement of the plates 35, 38 continues, and a stop 82 engages a rack 81 which causes a plate 73 that forms the bottom of the pocket to rise and eject the wrapped loaf into a gallery formed by side plates 58. During this movement, the ends 28 of the wrapper are folded, and the loaf comes to rest between heated plates which seal the wrapper. The reverse movement of the wrapper restores the parts to their initial position, and an arm is moved to push the wrapped loaves along the the gallery. In an automatic machine, pockets 112, Fig. 12, are formed on a drum 109 which rotates continuously about an horizontal shaft 105. Wrapping material is fed from a' continuously driven roll 180 and is cut by a blade 185 into lengths, which are pressed against the drum by a reciprocating shoe 189. The loaves are fed to the machine by conveyer belt 161 driven continuously. The loaves rest on bars 162 which are supported on vertical rods 167 attached to an horizontal bar 168. Cams 170, on the shafts of the conveyer pulleys 163, periodically depress the bar 168 thus allowing the loaves to come into contact with the belt 161 which feeds them forward through a predetermined distance. Fingers 171, attached to one of the pulleys 163, engage the leading loaf and push it over a plate 204 into a pocket 112, a section of wrapper being engaged by the loaf. The fingers also tilt a lever 175 which pushes the loaf into the pocket. End folders 116 operated by cams are pivoted on the drum 109 at the ends of the pockets, and side folders 127 are actuated by oscillating levers 119. The wrapped loaves are ejected into a gallery 132 to which heated plates 134, 136, are attached for sealing the wrapper. A plate 149, attached to the bottom plate of each pocket, engages and moves the loaf, and the proceeding loaves, along the gallery towards a delivery shoot 151.