Year: 1887

page_text: I, WALTER SLICER JARBOE of Pittsburg in the County of Allegheny, State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
con-
My invention has relation to machines for automatically wrapping or applying
paper covers or envelopes to packages or blocks of solid material, such as
fectionery, soap, etc. and has for its object the provision of a novel machine wherein
the various mechanical operations, comprising the feeding of the wrapping paper and
the material to be enfolded and the enveloping of the latter in the paper covers, shall
be effected in a more expeditious manner and with moré certain and uniform results
than have hitherto been attainable.
A further object of my invention is to provide an automatic package wrapping
machine, in which all the principal operations shall be performed through the agency
of positively acting mechanical devices and the use of springs or other unreliable and
uncertain devices avoided..
A still further object of my invention is to produce a package wrapping machine of
the simplest and most durable character compatible with the complex nature of the
operation which it performs.
The machine embodying my invention comprises, in addition to the paper-feed,
certain novel expedients for feeding and delivering the material to be wrapped or
enfolded, as well as novel mechanism for laying the folds and thereby securely
enclosing the material on all sides, so that the packages shall present an uniform
appearance, equal or superior to packages wrapped by hand.
My invention consists in the novel construction and combinations of parts herein-
after described and claimed and embraces :
1. The shearing or cutting appliances by which, during each complete and con-
tinuous operation of the machine, a single sheet and no more is cut from a strip or
ribbon.
2. Means for retaining the paper unwound from the reel down upon the feeding or
shearing table, preparatory to and during the shearing operation and for directing the
sheets or projecting portions of the strip into the paper guides and holders.

page_text: 3. The feed shute and its appurtenances for depositing each block or package of
material upon the wrapper immediately.
4. The folding devices by which, after the material is deposited in the centre of the
wrapper, the latter is folded by successively operating devices and the material com-
pletely enclosed or enveloped on all sides.
5. The cams, connecting levers and other operating devices by which the machine
is actuated and the different steps or operations performed at definite and properly
related periods.
6. Various details and combinations, incidental to the completeness and operative-
ness of the machine.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine.
1 is a plan view of the machine.
31
2 is a side elevation.
">
3 is a front elevation.
"
"
4 is a section taken on line a―r of Figure 1^.
"
4A is a perspective view of one of the side angle folders.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are detail views.
A designates a suitable table or stand upon which the operative parts of the machine
are mounted and which consists of the leaf a supported on standards b. To suitable
brackets b', depending from the underside of the leaf a, is journaled a horizontal
shaft B, upon which are keyed the cams CD the crank-wheel C and the mutilated
gear-wheel D¹, from which power and movement are conveyed to the other portions of
the machine. The wheel or crank is coupled by a pitman C² to a treadle plate not
shown on the drawings or the machine may be run by steam or other power and
suitable connections, which need not be described.
The working parts proper of the machine are mounted on a base plate F situated
above the cams (D and about or nearly on a level with the leaf a.
F designates the paper-reel mounted upon standards ff and located back of the
plate F. Directly in front of the reel is arranged the upper feed roll F² having its
shaft mounted in standards ff. Below the roll F2 is situated a smaller roll F³,
which impinges against the roll F2 but allows the strip of paper from the reel to pass
between the two surfaces, sufficient pressure or purchase being obtained upon the strip
to ensure its movement regularly and evenly when the rolls rotate. The upper roll is
operated positively, while the lower roll turns by frictional impact. To obtain this
impact or pressure the shaft of the lower roll is journaled in boxes for recesses in
the webbed standards g and resting upon springs g¹ in sockets g², said springs tending
to press the roll upward against the paper.
The feed-rolls are located at the rear end of an open ended box G, which con-
stitutes a guide for the strip from the reel to the shears and beyond and their adjacent
surfaces or contacting points are on a line with the bottom of the box. Near the
bottom of the box lie the wires or fingers G2, connected at their rear ends to a frame G³,
secured to the standards f2f2 and thence projecting forwardly to the front end of
the latter. These fingers are for the purpose of holding the strip of paper in position
to enter between the shears and pass into the paper-guides and are slightly curved
upwards at their rear ends to allow the paper from the reel a free passage.
accommodate these wires or fingers the feed rolls are circumferentially grooved, as
at g³. The feed rolls may be made of any suitable material, but I purpose using a
composition of paper-pulp or vulcanite fibre in their construction.
To
The paper-feed is operated from the main-shaft through the pitman H connected to
the crank-wheel and coupled to an arm or arms h, loosely fitted on the end of the
lower shaft and carrying a spring-pawl or dog h¹, which engages in one direction
with the teeth of the rachet-wheel ³, keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to the
shaft f¹.
The feed-roll is designed to have an intermittent movement limited to
a certain distance of revolution and to operate only at definite intervals, so that the
projection of a sheet of paper shall take place alternately with the cutting of a
previous sheet and with other operations of the machine.

page_text: In the machine illustrated, which may be taken as the type of a machine for
wrapping small articles such as caramels, the feed-wheel F² makes one sixth of a
revolution under each impulse and the ratchet-wheel is accordingly formed with si..
teeth with one of which the pawi engages at each impulse or throw.
To prevent the paper from being thrust too far, it is desirable that the rotation of
the feed-wheel should be even and regular and limited in rapidity. It is also
necessary that the movement of the feed-wheel should be limited, so as to stop when
it has accomplished its movement, the exact distance required to project the paper the
length of a wrapping sheet. For this purpose the feed roll F has fastened to one
face a ring of metal i, figure 7, pierced at intervals of one sixth its circumference
with beveled holes with one of which engages a spring dog attached to one of
the standards, when the roll has completed the movement. Thus arresting the
movement of the roll and at the same time preventing it from turning backwards.
H'H' designate the shears, consisting of a pair of matched blades located at the
forward end of the box G. The upper blade is stationary while the lower blade H2 is
pivoted, both being supported at their rear ends upon a post H³, in which is fixed a swivel
pin rounded at one part to allow for play of the pivoted blade and squared at
another part to rigidly maintain the stationary blade. The blade H2 is slotted at H³ to
receive the end of a bent bar H, which is connected to a reciprocating frame by
which said blade is operated.
.
II designate the paper guides or holders situated slightly beyond the shears and
consisting each of a metal plate bent or folded upon itself, so as to form a channel or
recess between the upper and lower walls, to receive the sheet projected through or
between the shear blades. The plates II are connected to the feed-table and are
made flaring or bell shaped, to facilitate the entrance of the sheets. After the sheets
are cut they are severally held in the guides II until pressed down upon the folding
table by the gripper and the impact of the package shute, the latter being brought into
action immediately after the cutting operation.
I designates the tilting package shute or tube, which consists of an elongated
trough having trunnions t, through which it is mounted on standards [2 I² located
forward of and some distance beyond the folding devices. When the package
delivery trough is in a horizontal position its floor is about on a line with or slightly
above the plane of the paper feed table and jaws or holders Il. The inner end of
the trough is closed, but an opening is made in the floor at i for the removal of the
material, while the walls at the sides of such opening are cut obliquely or at an
angle to the floor of the trough, as shown in figure 8, so that when the latter is
tilted the lower edge of the walls at the sides of the opening i will be even with the
surface of the folding table. The inner end wall of the trough is also placed in an
oblique position, so as to lie in a vertical plane when the trough is tilted.
The material to be folded is in blocks, cubes or approximately cubical shapes,
which are supplied to the trough from the table or hopper, through which a shute K,
which may communicate with the delivery shute at one side or through an opening in
the top of the latter, one cube or block at a time entering the delivery shute at a
point about midway between its ends. A plunger K' plays in the delivery trough
and when the latter is in horizontal position the plunger lies just back of the opening
through which the block of material is received.
When the trough is tilted the plunger is projected forward by mechanism which
will be hereinafter described, and forces the block of material towards the delivery
end. A spring tongue K³, secured in any appropriate way to the top of the delivery
trough and curved downward at its inner end, which is above the opening i as shown,
presses lightly on the block as it is being forced along by the plunger, so as to control
its delivery, which takes place when the trough has been tilted to its final position.
On the under side of the delivery trough near its inner end is situated a gripping
device L, consisting of a bent plate pivotally attached to the sides of the trough and
capable of tilting or moving a slight distance on its pivots or journals. A spring K
secured to the under side of the trough presses against the under side of the gripper,
causing the forward end of the latter to impinge against the under surface of the

page_text: trough and thus serve as a jaw or clamp to grasp the paper after it issues from the
paper feed and projects beyond the funnel guides or holders.
While the delivery trough is rising at its inner end, after having been tilted, the
clamp is closed and when it is reaching a level with the paper, the latter moving
forward enters the jaw or clamp, the same being opened by a pin K³ on its side coming
in contact with a stud or bent post 2. Upon the descent the delivery trough the
clamp, being relieved from the post k² and closing by the pressure of its spring, firmly
grasps the paper at its forward edge and draws it down out of the guides, holding the
sheet until the jaw strikes a spring or post 1, which causes it to open and release
the sheet.
The block of material is now at the forward end of the trough and is resting at its
inner side upon the rear portion or edge of the delivery opening ¹. This position the
block maintains, the sheet being under it until the trough nearly reaches the limit of
its descent, when it is projected by the thrust of the plunger K³, which is continuing
its movement, a sufficient distance to cause it to emerge through the opening, the
spring tongue K³ facilitating its escape. The wrapping sheet has now reached the
folding table, but it is not quite in proper relation to the folding appliances, but by
further movement of the plunger both the block or package and the paper are shifted
into proper position. The latter moving by frictional contact with the block When
this point is reached and the block and paper deposited on the table, the trough rises
and the operations of the other mechanisms cease until the trough has reached its
horizontal position and is in readiness to repeat its operations.
The next step is to fold the first upper flap on one side of the sheet, over upon the block
or package after the manner of hand folding and this as well as the succeeding folding
motions is accomplished by mechanism which I will now describe, first premising that,
while the folding operations are being performed with one sheet, another sheet is being
cut and delivered to the paper clamps preparatory to being brought under the action
of the folders, just as soon as the latter have returned to their first or normal positions
after folding one package.
The first top fold is produced by the wing folder M, which is hinged between the
sides of and to a horizontal frame M¹, which is itself hinged to a vertical post or
bracket M², so as to yield under strain occuring when the packages or blocks are a
little oversized or irregular in shape. To the back part of the wing M is secure a
segmental rack or pinion M³ meshing with a vertical rack M having a reciprocating
movement imparted to it by the power mechanism below the folding table. Behind
the wing M and its rack and pinion is situated a plunger M, playing between guides M³
and capable of being thrust inwardly and against the partially folded package
soon as the wing M has laid the first fold. The wing M. stands normally in an upright
or vertical position, the wrapping sheet when brought down being doubled to a U
shape between the wing M and the opposing stationary wing Ms or second top folder,
hence when the wing M is turned over it lays the upper fold evenly down upon the
block or package. Immediately afterwards the plunger M comes into play and
forces the package to the opposite side, where it passes uuder the shaped stationary
plate M, constituting the second top folder. By this action the second top fold is
evenly laid. The package being still moved by the plunger, is brought under the
end wing folders M M. The latter consists of two plates hinged on either side of a
head-piece or block M10, the parts being of proper dimensions and are swung downward
from their normal horizontal position to vertical positions, in which they embrace the
package at its ends, in their movement folding down the paper so as to form the first
end fold. The wing M rises after having laid its fold, merely swinging back on its pivots.
The end wing folders, being pivoted to the head piece M10, the latter is attached to
the lower end of a vertical rod M₁ forming part of a reciprocating frame M16 and
fixed in a horizontal cross-bar M13, coupling two slide rods M14 M14, which pass
through holes in a casting or frame M15 and are at their lower ends coupled, by means
of a cross-piece N carrying an anti-friction roller in which travels in the cam groove n'
of a wheel D on the main shaft, whereby the frame N is reciprocated periodically.
Another similarly constructed and operated frame embraces the frame M16, its

page_text: vertical rods n² passing through holes in the frame M and connected below the
table by a cross-bar n³, carrying an anti-friction roller n', which travels in another
groove n in the wheel D. The upper cross-piece n of the frame O has depending
from its middle part a rod o carrying on its lower end a block o' which is coupled by
pitman or connecting levers o² to crank arms o³ on the spindles of the wings M° M°.
The cam-grooves in the wheel D are so shaped and related that, for the greater
part, they are circular and concentric, so that the frames MO are stationary until
their proper periods of action arrive.
Assuming that both frames are at their greatest elevation and the folding
wings M M projecting out horizontally. The frames now begin to descend until the
wings reach the level of the package, where the frame O advances alone and hence the
wings M³, by the operation of the levers 02, are turned down upon the paper and
gradually fold the latter inwardly against the ends of the package. The two fraines M¹
and now rise together, while the wings occupy vertical positions until the latter
have risen above the package, when, by the action and influence of the cam-wheel D,
the frame O slightly rises, while the frame M descends, thus causing the wings to
assume horizontal positions ready for their next descent.
This peculiar action in regard to the side wings is important and conduces greatly
to the proper operation of the machine. The proper periods of descent and ascent are
exactly regulated and gauged, so that no false or unsought for action can take place.
By keeping the wings in a horizontal position until their proper period and place of
action is reached I avoid one of the chief defects in package folding machines, wherein
the folding wings are brought edgewise against the sheet, forcing the latter through
slots or into folding cavities and frequently tearing or rupturing the paper.
Again, by keeping the wings in a vertical position after having performed their
work and until they have left the paper, I not only avoid another difficulty in regard
to the tendency the wings would have to disturb the package, but I am enabled to
bring the angle wing folders into action while the wings M are down and the package
is firmly held in position between them.
The angle folds are next produced, the first pair by the horizontally swinging
folders P P and the next by the stationary screw folders to be presently described.
The side angle folders consist of the fingers or bars P having their inner ends beveled
and flanged, so as to produce surfaces which will operate evenly and smoothly on the
paper. At their outer ends the fingers P are pivoted to the base-plate . of the
machine, while near their forward ends they are provided with depending pins or
studs p, which pass through curved slots in the bed-plate and enter slots in a
horizontal slide P₁, carrying an anti-friction roller p² which travels in a groove n³ in
the periphery of the cam-wheel D and is reciprocated in an axial direction with
reference to said wheel, so as to cause the folders to play each through the arc of a
circle. When the folders M have produced the side folds from the top of the block
or package and before they rise, the angle folders are swinging inwardly and in their
movement press or fold inwardly and upon the wings M³ the angle folds on the outer
side of the package. The package now continues its movement under the thrust of
the plunger M and upon the rise of the folders M³ passes to the stationary screw
folders which produce the second angle folds and complete the folding operation by
projecting shaped folds of the wrapper under and against the bottom of the package.
The screw-folders consist essentially of the two bars or guides R R lying parallel with
and opposite the guides M³.
The forward or inner ends of the bars R Rare flaring to receive the package and
the flaring portions are continued in the form of flanges S S, which are curved
spirally back along the lower edges of the guides R R¹ and terminate in overlapping,
slightly separated wings S S2, forming the floor or base of the rear portion of the channel
or space between the guides.
The spiral flanges or screws are respectively curved in opposite directions and are
designed to operate as cams upon the paper which, entering between them and thrust
back, bas its remaining angle fold doubled over towards and upon the first formed
angle folds by the impact of the screw wings or fillets and the bottom folds turned in

page_text: towards each other, one fold finding its way above the horizontal termination of a
spiral, while the other passes between the two horizontal flanges. Between the
forward sections of the spiral a spring-tongue q¹ is arranged and upon the same the
introverting folds are laid. This tongue is located above the plane or level of the
flanges S1 S2 and the package lies or is supported upon this tongue, while the folds are
being formed by the spiral wings. The spirally flanged bars R R¹ form a box or
channel, through which the packages, after being covered, are ejected from the machine
and, in order to prevent this channel from being choked up, the top plates and the
bar R¹ are supported on slides and held in place by springs 12 encircling screw-
rods, so as to yield slightly under the pressure of the packages and allow the
latter to move freely. The tension of these springs may be regulated by nuts
The folding or wrapping operations are thus completed and the parts have resumed
their proper position and relations for the succeeding steps incident to the folding of
another package.
It will be seen that the different steps or operations succeed each other in such
alternating methods that the folding operations are practically continuous, the
packages and wrappers being in various stages of preparation for folding, while one
package is being carried through the folder. The speed therefore is practically
unlimited and only governed by the common requirements of high speed machinery
and by conditions apart from the mechanical operations performed.
It remains now to describe the mechanism by which the delivery trough, the
plungers KM and the first folder are actuated, the functions of these parts having
been sufficiently indicated.
It will be observed that the delivery trough and the plunger are both operated from
and through a single connecting bar or lever T, which is pivoted below the top of the
machine to a stationary frame T on which it rocks or oscillates in a vertical plane.
The bar T plays through a slot in the top of the table and, at its upper end, is con-
nected by a hinge to the under side of the plunger, the hinge or connection passing
through a longitudinal slot in the bottom of the trough. As the lever T rocks it
performs a double function, that is it tilts the trough and, at the same time, moves the
plunger K¹ forward and backward. To the lever or short arm of the lever T is con-
nected a pitman T2, which in turn is connected by a crank pin to a toothed pinion T³
engaging with a larger toothed wheel T on the main shaft of the machine.
The motion of the trough and its plunger are periodical and, in order to produce
and control their movement at proper intervals or periods, the two intermeshing gears
are mutilated as shown, so that during about, 2-3 part of its rotation the wheel T
turns with the main shaft independently of the pinion T3, the trough and plunger-
remaining stationary, other operations of the machine already described being mean-
while performed. When the period of engagement of the toothed wheel arrives a
beveled stud on the side of the wheel T4 comes in contact with a pin t' on the side of
the pinion and brings the two wheels into proper relation for conjoint action, where-
the pinion rotates and the trough and plunger are moved. A single revolution
of the pinion causing the trough to fall and rise and the plungers to move forward
and then backward. The arrangement and operation of the gearing with reference to
the delivery trough, is such that the latter is depositing its charge while the crank on
the pinion is at its dead point and the motion of the trough and plunger slowest.
This is an important provision, as it prevents the material from being forcibly thrown
from the trough or deposited out of line with the folding devices.
upon
The plunger M is operated from the cam wheel C on the main shaft, the periphery
thereof being properly grooved to receive an anti-friction roller y³ carried below and
by the plunger M².
In the face of said cam wheels is formed another groove q³, in which travels an
anti-friction roller carried on the standard, to which is attached the rack M. The
exact direction of curvature or other characteristics of the cam grooves need not be
specifically described. They are shown in the drawings and are each well known
mechanical devices that their functions and mode of operation are obvious.
The machine is prevented from operating reversely by any suitable mechanism, as,.

page_text: for instance, by the well known expedient of a ball or roller V carried in a tapering
recess formed in a standard or plate V₁ and so arranged as to contact with the
periphery or flange of one of the cam-wheels. While the latter is moving in the
proper direction the ball or roller occupies the widest portion of its recess and allows
the wheel to turn freely, but upon any movement or attempted movement of the wheel
in a reverse direction the ball is moved towards the contracted portion of its cavity,
where it operates as a lock or brake to the wheel.
:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is ;-
1. In a package wrapping machine constructed and adapted to enfold solid cubes
or blocks in paper wrappers, the combination with a paper feed which delivers the
paper from a ribbon or strip, of a stop to arrest the momentum of the paper feeding
devices and a cutting instrument or appliance which severs each sheet from a strip,
the paper feed and cutter operating alternately, substantially as described.
2. In a machine for automatically wrapping or enfolding solid packages in paper
wrappers, the combination with the paper feed, the tilting delivery chute and the paper
folding and cutting appliances, of stationary flanged guides which receive and hold
each sheet before and after separation from the strip or ribbon and previous to its
being deposited upon the folding table, said guides or holders being separated by a
space for the passage of the descending wrapper.
3. In a machine for automatically wrapping or enfolding solid packages in paper
wrappers or envelopes the combination with suitable wrappers delivering and folding
appliances of a shute or tube for the delivery of the packages upon the wrappers,
constructed and adapted to tilt or swing in a vertical plane and to first receive and then
deposit each package, substantially as described.
4. In a machine for automatically wrapping or enfolding solid packages in paper
wrappers a tilting chute or tube for delivering each package separately upon the
wrapper and a reciprocating plunger for feeding the packages toward the delivery end
of the tube.
5. The pivoted delivery chute or tube having a longitudinally moving plunger, in
combination with an oscillating or rocking lever or bar connected to said plunger and
operating, substantially as described, so as to both tilt the chute and project the
plunger at each tilt or direct forward movement.
6. The combination with the tilting delivery chute, its plunger and rocking lever,
of a pitman or connecting rod and a pair of mutilated gear wheels through which.
motion is conveyed from the motor shaft, said gear wheels being constructed and
adapted to intermesh and co-act only at definite intervals or periods, substantially as
described.
7. The combination with the paper feed and the delivery chute, of a clamp applied
to the latter and adapted to grasp each sheet of paper and subsequently release the
same automatically, whereby as the chute is tilted towards the folding table each sheet
is brought down therewith and below the forward end thereof, substantially as
described.
8. The combination with the delivery chute, its plunger and suitable paper deposit-
ing appliances, of a spring tongue adapted to hold the block, cube or package above
the delivery opening, substantially as described.
9. The combination of the delivery chute, its plunger, the folding table and folding
devices, said plunger being actuated substantially as described, so as to move the
package and paper forward simultaneously as the package escapes, thereby bringing
both in proper relation to the folding devices.
10. In a machine for wrapping or enfolding solid packages in paper wrappers, the
combination with the pivoted wing for forming the first top overfold, of a stationary
plate opposite said wing in the line or direction of the travel of the package,
whereby the second top fold is produced as the package advances, substantially as
described.
11. In a package wrapping machine, the combination with suitable operating

page_text: mechanism of end folders consisting essentially of a pair of pivotal wings attached to
a suitable cross-head and two vertically reciprocating frames differentially moving at
periods of their strokes, one of said frames being connected to cranks on the spindles
of the wings by levers or pitmans, whereby after said wings descend they are moved
from horizontal to vertical positions, then lifted and finally restored to their horizontal
positions, substantially as described.
12. In a package wrapping machine an automatic folder consisting essentially of a
pair of longitudinal bars having spirally curved wings or flanges which overlap each
other at their outer terminals in combination with a tongue upon which the package
is received and moved and against which the final folds are laid.
13. In a package wrapping machine a pair of wing folders mounted on a vertically
reciprocating frame or head and on horizontal axis in combination with devices for
reciprocating said frame or head and for maintaining said folders in vertical planes
while they are being raised, substantially as described.
14. In a package wrapping machine a pair of spirally flanged or winged fold
formers adjustably supported and capable of yielding under pressure in combination
with a tongue located between the flanged portions, substantially as described.
Datad this ɔnd day of tum 1007
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.