Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Weighing and Packing Goods.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Weighing and
Packing Goods.
I, SAMUEL LEAROYD, of Sherwood House, Huddersfield in the County of
York, Solicitor, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in the weighing and packing of goods and
articles and in the construction of apparatus therefor.
The object of my invention is to construct apparatus, one portion of which will
weigh or measure out goods from bulk, and deliver the weighed or measured
portions of such goods to a packing apparatus, by means of which such portions
may be neatly packeted or wrapped up into parcels which are ejected from the
machine in a suitable condition for transit. My invention also comprises various
improvements in the packing apparatus as hereinafter described.
The apparatus according to my invention consists essentially of two parts either
of which may be used separately but which are preferably combined to form one
machine by means of which goods, such as cocoa, tea, sugar, and other loose,
granular, or powdered material can be automatically and expeditiously made into
parcels of a uniform size and weight.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now proceed to
describe by the aid of the accompanying drawings one method of carrying out the
same in practice :-
Figure 1 is a front elevation somewhat diagrammatic of my improved combined
apparatus.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1 as seen in the
direction of the arrow.
Figure 3 is a rear view of the weighing apparatus.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation shewing the lower portion of the hopper.
Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a plan showing the device for opening and closing the bottom plate
of the hopper.
Figure 7 is an elevation shewing the device for locking the bottom plate of the
hopper in its open position, and also shewing the apparatus for emptying the
scale pan.
Figure 8 is a rear view shewing the cam-wheel and rods for operating
the weighing apparatus.
Figure 9 is a face view of said cam-wheel.
Figure 10 is a rear elevation showing an alternative device for releasing the
bottom plate of the hopper.
Figure 11 is a front view partly sectional, shewing the conveyor for raising the
weighed quantities to the top of the shoot and plunger.
Figure 12 is an elevation of the paper-cutting device.
Figure 13 is an elevation of a portion of Figure 12 looking in the direction of
the arrow 13 in said figure.
Figure 14 is a diagrammatic section on the line 14-14 Figure 1.
Figure 15 is a similar section taken on the line 15-15 Figure 1.
Figure 16 is a side elevation of the device for moving the plunger.

page_text: Figure 18 is a plan of the table on to which the paper is fed by the
feed rolls.
Figure 19 is a front view showing the folders for folding in the ends of
the packets.
Figure 20 is a side view showing the folders for folding in the sides of the
packets.
Figure 21 is a side elevation shewing the position of folding devices when the
packet is closed.
Figure 22 is a plan shewing the device for ejecting the complete packet from
the machine.
Figures 23 to 26 are perspective views shewing various stages in the folding of
a packet.
Figures 27 and 28 are similar views illustrating a modification in the folding of
the wrapper.
Figure 29 is a perspective view of a machine for wrapping the parcel shewn in
Figures 27 and 28.
Figure 30 is a side elevation of a somewhat similar machine.
In some of the drawings the scale is enlarged to such an extent as to shew the
details as clearly as desired.
Like letters of reference denote the same parts throughout the drawings.
A is the frame-work of the machine, B the hopper, C the top plate of the
hopper, and D the bottom plate thereof. E are the scales, F the conveyor bucket,
G the fixed shoot, G' the hollow plunger, H the paper roll, J the cutter, K the
main driving shaft, L, M, N, the actuating shafts of the various mechanisms. O is
the actuating shaft for the paper feed and paper cutter, P the end folding plates,
Qthe side folding plates, and R the ejecting plunger. In Figures 23 to 26
and 27 and 28 the paper enclosing the packet is denoted by the letter V.
The framework of the machine is constructed of any suitable material and has
secured to it the various fixed portions of the machine and bearings for the different
actuating and main shafts.
The hopper B is contracted at its lower part as shewn at B' and has its lower
orifice closed by the plate D. At a suitable distance above the plate D is the
plate C which is pivoted centrally at C¹ to the fixed bottom B2 of the upper part
of the hopper. The fixed plate B2 is provided with three circular orifices B³
above which are secured three funnels B into which the hopper opens through the
fixed plate B°.
The plate C is provided with three orifices C2 corresponding to the orifices B
abovementioned and has a lug C projecting through a horizontal slot in the side of
the lower portion B' of the hopper to which lug is pivoted a rod C³ by means of
which the plate C can be rotated on its pivot C¹ so that the orifices C therein will
coincide or not with the orifices B3. The dotted lines in Figure 5 show the
position of the lug and rod when the orifices C2 coincide with the orifices B³. The
object of the funnels B' is to permit the material to fall very smoothly and evenly
from the upper part of the hopper into the lower part and also to prevent the
material piling in said lower part. The space between the plate C and the
plate D is so proportioned that the quantity of material which can be contained
therein is somewhat less than that required to be placed in each packet. For
example-If the machine be required to weigh out pound packets the material
which will fill the space between the plates C and D should weigh a little less than
a pound. It is evident that the said space will be required to be altered to suit
different substances if the specific gravity of said substances differs to any large
extent. We have found, however, that a large number of granular substances
such as coffee, cocoa, ground rice, washing powder, &c. are so nearly of the same
specific gravity that the plates and hopper may be used indiscriminately for any
of them without alteration. The plate D which closes the lower orifice of the
hopper is pivoted at D' to an extension on the side of the hopper. Pivoted to the

page_text: plate D is a rod D' by means of which said plate can be turned on its pivot D¹ so
as to open the bottom of the hopper as shewn in dotted line in Figure 6, or close
the same as shewn in full lines in said figure. The end of the plate D when the
hopper is opened is furthermore adapted to engage with lever D pivoted at. D' to
a bracket carried on the frame-work of the machine; and this is so arranged that
when the free end of said lever is depressed the plate D is allowed to rotate on its
pivot so as to close the hopper. Immediately below the mouth of the hopper is
located the scale pan E¹ of the weighing device E which may, for example,
consist of an ordinary balance having a pivoted beam E. Said scale pan is
loosely pivoted to the beam at E so that it can be tipped or tilted when required
to deliver a weighed quantity of the material.
The rod C is pivotally connected to an arm C secured to a vertical rod C'
rotating in bearings C on the frame. At the lower end of the rod C is an arm C³
adapted to engage with a cam C and ratchet C on the face of the wheel M¹
fixed on the shaft M. A spring C" fixed at one end to the frame, and at the other
end to a pin C13 on the rod C' tends to rotate the said rod in the direction of the
arrow shewn in Figure 3 and thus maintain rod C and plate C in the position shown
in full lines in Figure 5. When, however, the cam C10 engages with the arm Cat
the bottom of the rod C' said rod is rotated in the opposite direction, whereby the
arm C moves outwards, and the rod C and plate C move into the position shewn
in dotted lines in Figure 5, in which position the orifices C coincide with the
orifices B and material in the upper part of the hopper can pass through the
funnels into the lower part B' of the hopper. When the ratchet cam C engages
with arm C the rod C is caused to rotate to and fro on its axis and the plate C
alternately opens and closes the orifices B3 so as to allow material to pass in small
quantities from the funnels B to the lower part of the hopper. The quantity
passing through at each oscillation of the plate depending on the amount of such.
oscillation, that is to say, on the depth of the ratchet teeth on the cam C. The
red D2 is in a similar manner pivoted to the arm D secured on the red D° rotating
in bearings D' fixed to the frame. The lower part of the rod D is provided with
an arm 8 with which a cam D on the wheel M' can engage. The spring D
acts in a similar manner to the spring C to turn the rod D in the direction of
the arrow shewn in Figure 3, and thus cause the arm D, rod D, and plate D, to
assume the position shewn in full lines in Figure 6 whereby the lower opening of
the hopper is closed.
The device for tipping and emptying the scale pan comprises an arin E fixed
to one end of a bell crank lever E pivoted at E to the frame. The other end of
said bell-crank is connected by a flexible connection E7 to the arm E fixed to
rod E rotating in bearings E. At the lower end of said rod is an arm E" which
can engage with a cam E on the wheel E'.
I will now describe one form of the device for ensuring the closing of the lower
part of the hopper B when the beam of the balance is tilted by the correct weight
of the substance being deposited in the scale pan. As shewn in Figures 3 and 7
the device consists of an electro-magnet with coils S adapted to act on an
armature S which forms or is secured to the end of the lever D³. Said electro-
magnet is joined in circuit with a battery (not shewn) and a contact maker
which completes the circuit when the beam tilts. This movement is effected in
any suitable manner. As shewn in Figure 3 for example the cradle E¹ fixed to
the beam will, when the beam tilts, press against a spring 8 forming one portion
of the contact, and causes it to connect with the other portion S so as to establish
the circuit. When this is done the electromagnet S being energised attracts the
armature S¹, and the lever D³ being turned on its pivot releases the plate D, and
allows it to assume the position shewn in full lines in Figure 6 under the influence
of the spring D, thus cutting off the supply of the inmaterial from the hopper to
the scale pan.
The alternative device which is not electric is shewn in Figure 10, wherein the
beam E acts upon the arm T of a bell crank lever pivoted to the frame at T* the

page_text: other arm T of said lever engaging with a notch T on a lever T pivoted at T
to the frame. Said lever T is counected by the chain T to the lever D³. The
action of the apparatus is as follows:- When the beam E2 moves down it turns
the bell crank lever on its pivot T¹, thus moving the arm T out of engagement
with notch T. The lever Timmediately drops and pulls down one end of the-
lever D, thus releasing the plate D in the same manner as hereinahove described.
When the beam E2 rises it engages with the end of the lever T' and lifts the
same, whereupon the arm T of the bell crank is brought under the notch T
through the medium of the counter weight T'. At the same time the lever D³
is rotated through the influence of a spring or weight (not shewn in the drawing)
to its original position and again engages with the end of plate D.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 11, F is the conveyor bucket which travels in
a guiding trough F. Said bucket is hinged to a weight F to which is pivoted
the curved arm F3 secured to or supporting the bottom of the bucket as shewn.
The flexible cord F for raising the bucket is attached at one end to the curved.
arm F, then passes up the trough and round the pulley F, the other end being
secured to a drum F pivoted in bearings on the frame. Secured on the same axis
as the drum F is a second drum F7 to the periphery of which is attached a
flexible cord F8, which passes round a guiding pulley F' and has its other end
secured to the bollow plunger G¹. Pivoted to the frame is an arm Fo having a
pulley Fat the end, round which the cord F8 passes and a spring F12 is
provided as shewn which causes the pulley F" to press on the cord F and
maintain the same taut so that it does not slip off the pulleys. It will be
understood that the descent of the plunger G¹ causes the drums F7 F to rotate,
thereby winding up the cord F on the drum F. The pull on said cord first.
rotates arm F on its pivot and causes the bucket F to assume the position
shewn in full lines in Figure 11 and then raises the bucket to the top of the
trough at which point the bucket tilts forward and empties its contents into
the shoot G. The diameter of the drums F F7 are so arranged that the travel
of the plunger G' causes the bucket F to move from the bottom to the top of
the trough, and it will be observed than when the cord F slackens the bucket F
drops into the position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 11 under a shoot F
arranged to deliver the weighed substance from the scale when the latter is
tilted.
Having now described the various parts of the weighing apparatus I will proceed
to explain the details of the packing apparatus, and it will be convenient to
indicate in the first place the movements of the various shafts and gears for
actuating the same. This will be understood on reference to Figures 1, 2, 14,
and 15. K is the main shaft supported in bearings K₁, and driven by a belt or any
other suitable means in the direction of the arrow shewn in Figure 14. Secured to
the shaft K is the gear wheel K2 which meshes with a gear wheel M² secured to
the shaft M, the gear wheel M2 also meshes with the gear wheel L¹ secured on the
shaft L. The shafts M and L are supported in suitable bearings ML on the
frame. M is a mutilated gear wheel secured on the shaft M which is toothed
only upon one third of its periphery as shewn in Figure 15. L is a similar gear
wheel secured on the shaft L. The teeth of these mutilated gears are adapted to
engage with a full gear wheel N secured on the shaft N which is supported in
bearings N2. On the shaft N is also fixed a drum N³ which passes a belt N (see
Figure 16) secured at one place to the top of the hollow plunger G₁ as shewn
at G2, and passing round suitable guide pulleys N provided with bearings fixed to
the frame. The teeth on the gear wheel L are furthermore adapted to engage
with the spur wheel O¹ secured on the shaft O. 2 is a drum fixed on shaft O
having secured to its periphery a flexible cord O, the other end of which passes
round the guiding pulley O and is secured to a weight 0. J' is a drum fixed
on the shaft O baving secured on its periphery at one point the endless band J
(see Figure 12) which passes round the guide pulleys J supported in bearings fixed
to the frame and is secured to the end of a lever J pivoted at J to a plate J

page_text: which lever supports at its further end the cutting wheel J. The lever J is
composed of two parallel rods as shewn in Figure 13, the cord J being connected
to the upper bar J connecting said rods. Supported on suitable standards fixed
to the frame is a guiding bar J on which travel three guiding wheels J pivoted to
the plate J. Preferably two parallel plates .J are provided one on each side of
the bar F as shewn in Figure 13. Suitable leaf springs Jo are furthermore
arranged so as to lightly clamp the guiding bar J" between them. The axle of the
cutting wheel J is supported in a slot at the end of the lever J and light
springs J secured to the plates J are provided to press on the top of the axle of
said cutting wheel, thus pressing said wheel downwards with a gentlé pressure.
The cutting wheel is arranged to travel along a bar J preferably of copper
placed parallel to the guiding bar Js and pivoted at its ends to the frame.
Secured at the rear end pivot of the bar J12 is an arm J13 with which the plate J
or a projection secured thereon is adapted to engage when the cutter reaches the
end of its path. When such engagement occurs the arm J is pressed outwards,
and the plate J rotated on its pivot to a position approximately as shewn in
dotted lines in Figure 13.
The paper feeling mechanism is shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 17. The paper
roll H is supported on a bracket H' fixed to the frame. The sheet of paper,
which we will now call H2, passes through a slit H³ in an upright bar H* fixed to
the frame to the feed rolls H H, the object of passing the paper through the slit
being to free the same from the curved form which it assumes from being rolled up.
The feed rolls are secured to axles supported in suitable bearings H' fixed to the
frame. Hare meshed gears secured on the axles of the feed rolls, so that the
upper of said rolls is given a positive motion. Secured on the axle of the lower
feed roll is a ratchet H" with which a spring pawl H pivoted on the face of a
pulley H can engage. Said pulley His is loosely mounted on the axle of the
lower feed-roll, and has attached to its periphery one end of a flexible cord H13
passing round guide pulleys H to the drum H round which drum the cord is
lapped a suitable number of times before passing back to the pulley H" to which
its other end is secured. In order to avoid misunderstanding I will now describe
in detail the operation of the feed roll and paper cutters. It will be understood,
by reference to Figures 14 and 15, that the shaft L is continuously rotated from
the shaft K through the medium of gears K' M' and L. Since, however, the
gear wheel L is mutilated it follows that the shaft O will be rotated by the said
gear during a period of one third of the evolution, that is to say, whilst the toothed
segment of wheel L³ is in gear with the wheel O. Referring to Figure 12, the
gear L³ rotates shaft O in such a manner as to wind up the string 03 on the
drum O2, and raise the weight 0. Also through the rotation of pulley J¹
the cord J is pulled and caused to travel in the direction of the arrow. The pull
on the cord J acting on lever J rotates the latter on its pivot J and thereby lifts
the cutter J out of contact with the paper. At the same time the band H is
caused to travel in the direction of the arrow shewn in Figures 2 and 17, and the
pawl H engaging with rotchet H" rotates the lower feed roll axle, and thereby
causes the paper to be fed through the rolls over the bar J12 and under the
cutter J on to the table A'.
When the toothed segment of the gear L releases wheel O' (as in the position
shewn in Figure 15) the shaft O is free to rotate in the opposite direction under
the influence of the weight O which rapidly descends. The flexible cord Jis
thereby caused to travel in the opposite direction of the arrows shewn in Figure 12,
and the pull of the cord being reversed the lever, is moved on its pivot and
allows the wheel J to be pressed on to the paper by the spring J". The cutter is
therefore caused to travel rapidly from one end to the other of the bar J cutting
off the portion of the paper previously fed through the rolls. When the cutter
reaches the end of its travel the plate J strikes against the arm J thereby
tilting the strip J" upwards, and moving it clear of the cut edge of the paper.
This is important because when the paper is subsequently pressed down through.

page_text: the orifice in the table A' as hereafter explained the cut edge is liable to catch on
the edge of the strip J if said strip is not turned out of the way as hereinabove
described. The rotation of the shaft O, due to the descent of the weight O' at the
same time causes the flexible cord H13 to move in the opposite direction of that
shewn by the arrow in Figure 2 and will thus tend to move the feed rolls in the
wrong direction. This, however, does not happen since the pawl H" slips over
the ratchet during such backward movement of the pulley.
Referring now to Figure 18 the table A' upon which the paper is fed from the
feed rolls, has an orifice A therein in such a position that the movable plunger G
can enter therein, and pass down a shaft A³ which it loosely fits and to which the
said orifice forins the entrance. A' are tongue-like projections forming the side
boundaries of the orifice A. Said projections are rounded at their edges for the
purpose of folding the edges of the paper upwards when the sheet is pressed down.
The sides of the shaft A below the projections A are formed of two triangular
plates A A which fold first one side and then the other side of the paper as
hereinafter described. Below the fixed plates A' A on each side are pivoted
flaps P, P (see Figure 19) said flaps having arms connected by links P2 to arms P³
secured on a rock shaft P supported in bearings on the frame-work of the machine.
Said rock-shaft is provided with an arm P adapted to engage with a pin P* fixed
to a wheel L' on shaft L. The folding flaps P have wing-like extensions P' on
each side for a purpose hereafter mentioned."
At the bottom of the shaft A³ is a slide A' which is shown in Figures 20 and 21,
which slide is formed with upstanding parts A and has pivoted to the top of the
front part a folding flap Q. The opposite folding flap is pivoted to the frame.
Suitable springs are provided for maintaining said flaps in an upright position
one of which attached to flap Q is shewn at q. Said flaps are further provided
with cam pieces Q secured thereto and with projecting parts Q. To the back
of the rearmost part A of the slide is secured a bent plate A which is arranged
to form a thin box as clearly shewn in Figure 20, the free edge of the top side of
said box being thickened in front as shewn at A10. Outside the shaft A is
provided a pulley or friction wheel A" adapted to engage with the flap when
the slide A is moved out. The mechanism for moving said slide outwards is
shewn in Figure 21 and is as follows:-The dise L has secured to it a cam
piece Qwhich engages with the arm Q' of a bell crank lever pivoted to the
frame at Qand the other arm of said bell crank is provided with a fork Q
engaging with a pin Q8 on slide A'.
On the top of slide A' is provided a transverse slide R the function of which
is to push the completed packet out of the machine. The slide R is worked from
a cam groove R' provided on the wheel L said groove engaging with a pin R
on the end of a horizontal lever R³ pivoted at R to the frame of the machine.
The other end of the lever R has a fork R engaging with a pin R on the slide R.
In connection with the lever R is arranged the spring K the pull of which
keeps the slide R away from the package. These details are clearly shewn in
Figure 22.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 19, Q is a shaft pivoted to the frame and
having secured to it an arm Q which ordinarily lies above the link P. Quare
other arms one of which is seen in Figure 1 secured on the shaft Q the ends f
which are adapted to engage with the projections Q2 on the flaps QQ. The said
projections when the flaps QQ are in an upright position as shewn in
Figure 20 project through slits in the front and back plates of the shaft.
Having thus described the various parts of our apparatus we will now proceel
to describe the operation of the same. The weighing apparatus, which is shewn
in the front view Figure 1, and in detail in the Figures 3 to 9 of the drawings, is
operated from the continuously rotating shaft M. The hopper B is filled with a
suitable quantity of the material to be weighed, and its lower orifice being closed
by the plate D. The cam C on wheel M now engages with arm C on rod C7 and
moves the plate C into the position shewn in dotted line in Figure 5 as hereinabove

page_text: described, hence during nearly or approximately half the period of rotation
of the wheel M material from the upper part of the hopper can pass into the lower-
part of the hopper. When the arm C is released by the cam Co the space-
between the plates C and D will have been completely filled by the material.
The cam D' now strikes the arm Ds, this causes the plate D to assume the position
shewn in dotted lines in Figure 6, in which position it is locked by the
lever D, and the lower orifice of the hopper being thus opened the measured
quantity of the material falls into the scale pan E. This measured quantity is not
quite sufficient to tilt the beam and the ratchet of the cam C" on the wheel M¹
then engages with the arm C and causes plate C through the medium of the
rod C7 to move to and fro on its pivot thus opening and closing the orifices B³ in
the upper part of the hopper. The amount and length of time during which said
orifices are opened depends upon the depth and size of the teeth in the ratchet
cam C". Through these means the lower orifices of the hopper being opened
the material is caused to feed direct from the hopper B to the scale pan by small
quantities at a time. As soon as sufficient material has been pressed in this
manner into the scale pan to tilt the beam, the electrical or the mechanical
device shewn in Figure 10 causes the lever D³ to release the plate D, which under
the action of the spring D immediately closes the lower orifice of the hopper
and prevents more material passing to the scale pan. It will be understood from
the foregoing description that the closing of the lower orifice of the hopper does
not depend in any way upon the rotation of the wheel M', and it may therefore
happen that the arm has not become disengaged from the cam C until some
little time after the scale beam has tilted. When, however, such disengage-
ment occurs the plate C is brought into the position shewn in dotted lines in
Figure 5 so as to close the orifice 133. The cam E2 now comes in contact with
the arm E" and through the medium of the rod E' causes the lever E¹ to move
on its pivot, and tip the scale pan, thus causing it to deliver its contents into the
shoot The bucket F or the conveyor being in the position shewn in dotted
lines in Figure 11 receives the contents of the seale pan. We will now proceed.
to describe the operation of packing the weighed quantity of material received
in the bucket F. While the weighing operation has been proceeding the feed
rolls H H have fed forward a suitable length of the paper H' from the roll H
on to the table A', and the cutter J has cut off a sheet of the proper size in
the manner herein before described. The position of the wheel L³ will therefore
be that shewn in Figure 15 in which the toothed segment of said wheel has become
disengaged from the spur wheel O' and has just come into engagement with the
wheel N'. As the wheel L' rotates from the position shewn in Figure 15 the
wheel N is rotated in the clockwise direction looking at said figure and causes.
band N to move in the direction shewn by the arrow in Figure 16. The
plunger G' therefore descends and meeting the sheet of paper on the table A
presses it through the opening A' in said table the edges of the sheet being forced
by the tongues A into a position somewhat as chewn in Figure 23.
plunger descends the shaft A³ the folded portion V3 is turned by the edge of
plate A (see Figure 2) and the folded portion V is turned by the edge of plate A
so that when the paper with the plunger reaches the bottom of the shaft the sheet
is fulded in the shape shewn in Figure 24, and forms a receptacle open at the top
only. It will be clear that during the descent of the paper from the table A¹ the-
shape thereof varies from a flat sheet to that shewn in Figure 23, the shape shewn
in Figure 23 being an ideal form which the paper does not assume unless the
plates A A are situated some considerable distance below the tongues A'. The
descent of the plunger G pulling on the cord F causes the bucket F to first.
assume the position shewn in full lines in Figure 11, and then raises the same to
the top of the trough F, said bucket now tilts forward on its hinges in the
direction shewn by the arrow in Figure 1, and delivers its contents into the shoot G.
The contents immediately fall through the shoot G and hollow plunger G' into
the paper receptacle at the bottom of the shaft A. By this time the wheel L³

page_text: will have rotated so far that the toothed segment thereof will have become
disengaged from the wheel N¹ and the wheel N³ will have rotated to a position in
which its toothed segment will engage with the wheel N¹ and cause it to rotate in
the opposite direction. This will draw up the plunger G₁ and let down the
bucket F into position in readiness to receive another charge of material from the
scale pan. The rotation of the shaft L has now brought the pin P on the disc L
into position to engage with the arm P of the rock shaft P. Said arm P³ is
moved upwards, and the links P2 are also moved upwards causing the flaps P to
move on their pivots in the direction of the arrow shewn in Figure 19, and folding
down the ends V V of the paper receptacle to the position shewn in Figure 25,
at the same time pressing down the contents of the said rereptacle. The link P
in its upward movement strikes against the arm Q and rock shaft Q thereby
causing the arms Q to move upwards. Said arms Q" engage with the pro-
jection Q of the flaps Q and thus pinch the creases at the end portions of the
paper VV between said flaps Q, and the outstanding parts P of the flaps P.
The pin P now escapes from the arm P, and allows the flaps P, P to rise,
and at the same time the arm Q comes in contact with the cam Q The
bell-crank therefore turns on its pivot and through the medium of the fork Q
and pin Q causes the slide A to move outward through the front of the shaft A
carrying with it the parcel which is in the form shown in Figure 25. By this
movement of the slide the flap Q which is pivoted to the framework of the
machine is caused by the agency of the bent plate A to move down in the direction
of the arrow in Figure 20 and thus fold down the upstanding side V' of the packet,
at the same time the racket is gradually withdrawn from under the said flap Q
which is received into the box formed by the before mentioned plate A. As the
slide moves out, however, the wheel A₁ engages with the flap Q and presses it
together with the upstanding side V of the paper on to the top of the folded down
side V', thus completing the packet. It will be observed that the projections Q³
on the flaps QQ cause said flaps to be pressed down very tightly during one
portion of the movement of the packet so as to square the edges thereof. As soon
as the slide A has moved out to its furthest extent as shewn in Figure 21 it
remains in that position owing to the length of the cam Q until the transverse
slide R has been operated through the medium of lever R³ and cam R' to push the
completed packet from under the flap Q leaving the slide A' empty. The slide R
then moves back again owing to the form of the cam R' as shewn in Figure 22.
When this has been done the arm Q escapes from the cam Q and the slide A
moves back again under the influence of the arm Q³ or of a spring attached to said
arm. The completed packet has the appearance shewn in Figure 26. It will be
understood that while the various operations connected with the folders F and Q
and delivery of the packet are progressing the weighing mechanism actuated
by disc M is proceeding with the measuring and weighing out of another quantity
of material, and the feed rolls H H are feeding forward another sheet of paper
in readiness to form another packet. The action of the machine is therefore
continuous as long as the hopper B is supplied with material, and the paper roll is
not exhausted.
Another manner of folding the wrapper somewhat different from that exhibited
in Figures 23 to 26 is illustrated in Figures 27 and 28 of which Figure 27 shews a
packet in the stage corresponding to that shewn in Figure 24 and Figure 28 shews
a packet almost completely wrapped. In this case the flaps marked V* V*
Figure 24 ure folded inside the flaps Vas shewn in Figure 27 so that the
diagonal folds of the wrapper are inside. The sides V2 V2 are folded down next
and lastly the sides V V as shewn in Figure 28. The side V is preferably
arranged to cover the entire top part of the packet. By this method of wrapping
all the external folds of the wrapper will be at right angles to each other and
the sides thereof smooth, also if desired the wrapper can be printed before folding
in such a manner that devices will appear on all sides of the packet.
Figures 29 and 30 illustrate modifications of the packing machine by means of

page_text: which packets may be wrapped in the manner above described with reference to
Figures 27 and 28.
Referring now to Figure 29 the hollow plunger G is fixed to the frame A and that
portion of the machine forming the shaft A is arranged to slide up and down.
A sheet of paper is shewn in position in dotted lines and as the shaft A³ moves up
said sheet is gradually forced by the paper into the shaft the ends V being folded
in by the pivoted plates W. Said plates are pivoted to the shaft in such a manner
that the inner edges W' thereof project below the hottom of the plunger G. As
the shaft moves up said plunger turns the plates W on their pivots into a vertical
position and the wings W formed thereon fold in the triangular corners V* V*.
As the shaft continues its upward movement the plates Y are maintained in a
vertical position by the pressure of the cain pieces A secured to the frame until
said plates reach a position above the cam pieces upon which the springs Y' turn
the plates on their pivots Y into a horizontal position. The inner plates Y which
are secured at right angles to the plates Y will then become vertical so that the
partially folded wrapper in the form shewn in Figure 27 with the plunger inside
can move down the shaft. When the shaft has reached the top of its upward
movement the materials to be packed are deposited within the partially folded
wrapper and the shaft is moved down whereupon the cam pieces A engage with
the plates Y and turn them into a vertical position thus causing the plates Y to
fold in the ends V2 of the wrapper. The slide A' similar to that shewn in Figure 11
is now pulled out in the direction of the arrow and folding device which may be
similar to the plates Q hereinbefore mentioned fold in the remaining portions of
the wrapper. As soon as the plunger is. withdrawn from engagement with the inner
edges Wof the plates W said plates under the action of a spring such as W³ will
be restored to a horizontal position.
In Figure 30 the plunger G is arranged to be moved up and down by any
suitable means, and the upper folds in the paper wrapper H are made by sub-
stantially similar plates to those described with reference to Figure 29. The
wings W of said plates being shewn. Somewhat different mechanism however is
arranged to form the last folds of the wrapper which we will now describe :-X is
a bar pivoted at X adapted to he rotated on its pivot when its inner edge is met
by the descending face of the plunger G'. Attached to said bar is a flexible
connection X passing round a pulley W to the other end of which connection is
attached a sliding plate X. By this means when the bar X is rotated to a vertical
position the plate X is withdrawn through the slide of the shaft, the plunger with
the wrapper folded to the form shewn in Figure 27 on its end is then free to
descend to the bottom of the shaft. The goods are then deposited in the wrapper
and if necessary tightly packed by the rammer G. The plunger is then withdrawn
and when it has risen sufficiently far to release the bar X said bar is turned on its.
pivot and the plate X is drawn into the shaft by the action of the spring X thus
folding in one side of the wrapper. Similar devices one of which is shewn fold in
the ends V of the wrapper in which ease instead of the connection X being
secured to a bar such as X it may be secured to the plate W. For turning down the
last fold V of the wrapper I provide a plate Z pivoted at Z' to the frame. Said
plate is adapted to be rotated on its pivot in the direction of the arrow by means
of a pin Z in the slide A' which slide withdraws the packet from the machine.
Said pin Z engages with a piece Z piroted to the arm 2 secured, on the pivot Z¹.
When the plate A' moves outwards in the direction shewn by, the arrow placed
thereon. The pin Z meeting with the piece Z rotates the plate Z on its pivot
thus folding down the last side of the wrapper. A spring Z is provided for
restoring the parts to their normal position when the slide A' moves in again.
It may be necessary or desirable in some cases to add to the machine supple-
mentary devices such as conveyors, stirring devices, breaking or crushing rolls for
operating on different materials. For example when our machine is used for
weighing and packing tea, a screw conveyor mounted in the hopper and driven
from a suitable shaft prevents the tea from packing or jamming therein and causes

page_text: it to be fed evenly into the measuring portion of the hopper and to the scale pan.
It may be necessary also to provide for shaking the hopper or the partly filled
packet and its contents during portions of the operation.
I may furthermore provide a labelling device by means of which a label may be
secured to the wrapped parcel before the same is ejected from the machine.
Although I have herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 a combined
weighing and packing apparatus I make in this specification no claim to this
packing apparatus per se as that apparatus is already described in the Specification
No. 702 of 1896.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved weighing apparatus constructed and operating as described.
2. In a combined weighing and packing machine the devices for conveying
weighed quantities of the material from the scales to the top of the packeting
apparatus, as described.
3. In a packeting machine the paper cutting device, either with or without the
pivoted bed plate, and constructed and operating as described with. reference to
Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.
4. A packeting machine constructed and operating substantially as described
with reference to Figure 29 or to Figure 30 of the accompanying drawings.
Doted this Tenth day of October 1896.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.