Improvements in Apparatus for Wrapping or Folding Parcels or Packages.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 17th June, 1899-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1899
Improvements in Apparatus for Wrapping or Folding Parcels or
Packages.
We, ANDREW FORBES and FREDERICK GROVER, both of Greek Street Chambers,
Leeds, in the County of York, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in apparatus for automatically wrapping
or folding a plastic or non-plastic body in a sheet of paper, canvas or other
suitable material.
The object (or objects) to be wrapped, hereafter referred to as the block, is
placed by hand or by means of a mechanical conveyer into a box or hopper from
which a block is released when required. The sheet in which the block is to be
wrapped is placed either by hand or by an automatic feeding arrangement upon
a table to be described hereafter. When the table is under the above named box
or hopper the block to be wrapped is allowed to pass from the hopper upon the
table by releasing a catch or clip previously supporting the block in the hopper.
The table on which the sheet and block are placed consists of three separate slabs
or leaves. The central slab or leaf, hereinafter referred to as the lifting leaf,
has a reciprocating motion at right angles to the plane of its upper surface.
The position of the lifting table is such that when delivered from the feeding
hopper or box the block to be wrapped rests upon the lifting leaf with the
wrapper interposed. When the sheet and block are placed upon the lifting leaf
the latter occupies its lowest position; its edges are flush and its surface in the
same plane with the two other leaves of the table which leaves we shall hereinafter
designate the side wings. These wings are hinged upon suitable supports on
either side of the lifting leaf so that when spread out they lie in the same plane
as the lifting leaf. When turned upwards about their hinges they form the
sides of a box of which the lifting leaf forms the bottom. The side wings are
raised simultaneously by means of say, a reciprocating rod driven by a cam or
crank
The side wings hinges
or by other suitable mechanism.
pivots at their ends for carrying smaller wings, which
designate the end wings. When the side and end wings are spread out
their upper surfaces lie in the same plane as the lifting leaf before mentioned.
When the side wings are raised the end wings, being attached thereto, rise also
and their surfaces remain in the planes then occupied by the side wings. While
the side wings are being raised to their uppermost position by swinging round
their pivots
or hinges, reciprocating plates, hereinafter called the end plates,
are raised from beneath the lifting leaf so as to form the ends of the box of
which the lifting leaf forms the bottom and the side wings the sides. The use
of the end wings will be described hereafter.
or
we shall
When the wings are spread out with the end plates and lifting leaf in their
lowest position, the wrapping sheet is placed upon the table so formed and the

page_text: block to be wrapped is placed upon the sheet over the central leaf. The act
of raising the side wings and end plates causes the wrapping sheet to form a
lining to the inside of the box and consequently to fold itself upon the sides
and ends of the block which is being wrapped. When this operation is completed
the box containing the partially wrapped block is caused to move from beneath
the feeding hopper by means of a crank and connecting rod or other suitable
mechanism. When the table and block have moved from beneath the feeding
hopper the wrapping sheet is made to cover the remaining side of the block in
the following way:
AU or V shaped channel formed of strong material and either hinged or
rigid at the apex of the V or rounded end of the U is caused to travel across the
upper surface of the block and in so doing to push the projecting edges of the
wrapping sheet towards the centre of the block. At the same time a strip of
inflexible material capable of entering the U or V shaped channel is pushed
towards the centre of the block and thus brings the projecting edges of the
wrapping sheet together. The strip then enters the U or V shaped channel
carrying with it and folding therein the edges of the wrapping sheet. The strip
is then caused to retire from the U or V channel leaving the folded edges
therein. The U or V channel is then rotated in such a way as to turn over the
aforesaid edges and prevent the wrapping sheet from springing loose. As the
folded edges pass from the U channel during the passage of the block to a
delivery hopper a roller is provided to press upon the fold. While this is being
done the end plates are caused to descend and the end wings are pressed towards
the block by suitable projecting stops or cams fixed to the frame of the machine.
The end wings press a portion of the wrapping sheet against the ends of the
block. By the time this operation is completed the block has passed under a
delivery hopper below the ends of which projecting spring clips are provided.
The lifting leaf is then raised thereby pushing the block past the clips. The
wrapping operation being now completed the lifting leaf retires and the clips
in the delivery hopper now support the block. The table is then moved back
to the feeding hopper while the side and end wings spread out to again form the
table for the receipt of another wrapping sheet and block.
The wrapping and delivery mechanism may be made in duplicate on the same
slide to work on either side of the feeding hopper thereby wrapping and deliver-
ing a block at the end of each stroke of the slide.
Dated this 21st day of November 1898.
H. B. BARLOW & GILLETT,
Agents for Applicants.
Improvements in Apparatus for Wrapping or Folding Parcels or
Packages.
We, ANDREW FORBES and FREDERICK GROVER, late of Greek Street Chambers,
Leeds, but now both of Park Row, Leeds, in the County of York, Engineers, 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:
Our invention refers to apparatus for wrapping cakes of soap, or other blocks
or bodies (hereinafter termed blocks), in paper or other flexible coverings; and
out object is to so construct the apparatus that the wrapping is effected most
expeditiously, and the covering when wrapped on the block is not liable to become

page_text: loose either during the passage through the machine or after the discharge of
the block in a wrapped condition.
The machine consists essentially of a framework carrying a horizontal bed,
on which a slide is moved backwards and forwards; the said slide carries two
slabs with folding leaves, which are alternately brought below a central hopper
and receive separate blocks onto sheets of paper in which the blocks are to be
wrapped. The slide having a continuous movement, the folding is effected
during its reciprocations, the side folds being formed by side leaves on the
slabs, the first end folds being formed by rising end plates carried on the table,
the longitudinal fold being formed and locked by a turnover channel and straight
edge, the second end folds being formed by end wings, and the last end folds
being formed by the interior of the passage through which the block is discharged.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section, and Figure 2
is an end clevation of a machine constructed according to our invention.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views drawn to a larger scale shewing one
of the slabs with its leaves, wings and end plates in various positions. Figure 6
is a section illustrating the mechanism for operating the turnover channel and
straight edge, Figure 7 is a plan of a detail of the mechanism shewn in Figure 6,
and the particular movements and resultant work of the latter is shewn in the
detail views at Figures 8, 9 and 10. Figure 11 shews a block completely wrapped
with the exception of the final end folds, and Figure 12 shews a section of the end
of the machine with these end folds about to be formed.
A is the framework of the machine, and B is the horizontal bed. C is the
slide carried on the bed B, and C is a bracket attached to the underside of the
slide C by which there is transmitted a continuous reciprocating movement to
the said slide C from a driving pulley D, through the medium of a shaft 1',
pinion D, spur wheel D³, crank pin D, connecting rod 15, arm D", and con-
necting links D7. The slide C carries on its surface a bracket C3 which during the
reciprocation of the said slide C comes alternately against collars P and P¹
at the ends of its stroke, with the result that a rod 12 which carries the
collars P, P, is moved longitudinally with each reciprocation of the table. The
rod P3 is provided at its ends with hooked extensions P3 and P*, which are
hinged thereto and act as hinged hooks, being so arranged as to take over pins RI
and R3 situated respectively on two levers R and R³, and the latter levers tend
to move apart at their upper ends owing to a tension spring R which connects
the lower ends of the levers R, R2 together. Catches S, S₁ are pivotted on
stationary brackets one at each end of the frame, in such positions that when the
lever R is pulled inwards by the hooked extension P engaging with the pin R³,
and being moved by the bracket C2 coming against the collar P and so moving
the rod P, the said catch S¹ takes over the lever R³ and holds it firmly in
position. Prior to the above movement, the lever R had been drawn in, in
a similar manner and was being held by the catch S, but with the movement of
the rod P as above described, a curved portion Ps of the hooked extension P³
came under a pin S on the catch S and lifting the same, let the lever R go till
it was caught by the hooked extension P³ catching the pin R. On the return
of the slide C the lever R is drawn in and the lever R³ is released by a curved
portion P6 of the hooked extension P4 coming under a pin S3 and so lifting the
catch S¹.
The movements of the levers R and R³ are thus of a sudden character and
the release of the lever R which is mounted on a rocking shaft R³, causes the
latter to rock and thus give a sudden movement to an arm Re which is mounted
on the same shaft and is provided with a friction roller R7 on its outer end.
Rs is a rod which is connected to an arm R carried on the shaft R and com-
municates motion from the lever R to a bell crank lever R. The lever R³ is
mounted on a rocking shaft R, an arm R" carrying an end roller R2 being
carried on the said shaft; and R3 is a connecting rod which communicates
motion from the lever R³ to a bell crank lever R. The functions of the arms Ro

page_text: and R and of the bell crank levers R9 and R will be hereinafter described,
in connection with mechanism situated on the slide C. Two slabs E for receiving
the blocks to be wrapped, are situated at opposite ends of the slide C, and the
distance between their centres is equal to the stroke given to the slide C by the
movement above referred to. As both the slabs E and their adjacent parts
mounted on the slide C are similar in form and action, we will proceed to describe
the machine from the position shewn at Figure 1 and with particular reference
to the slab shewn in the centre of the machine in that view.
I is a hopper containing the blocks to be wrapped resting one on the other,
and the blocks are held up in the hopper F by means of fingers G fulcrumed at G¹
to the hopper F; the free ends of these fingers G extend into the hopper, beneath
the lowest block and hold the same in position. The releasing of the fingers G
is effected at the end of each stroke of the table C through toggle links G2 which
. are lifted by a vertical slide G³, and the movement of the latter is obtained by
means of a forked lever G4 which engages at its single end with the underside
of a projection G on the slide G³, and at its forked end with the ratchet
wheels G, G. The ratchet wheels G6 are mounted loosely on a rocking shaft H
and they are moved alternately on the rocking of the said shaft by means of
pawls H, which are carried on opposite sides of a projection H2 keyed on the
shaft H. The shaft H receives its rocking motion through an arm H³, connecting
rod H, arm H and shaft. He, the latter being rocked by the movements of the
lever De which is carried on its opposite end.
The forked lever G is set in such a position that it is actuated from the rocking
shaft H, through pawls H' and ratchet wheels G6, immediately before the slide
arrives at the end of its stroke; thus releasing the fingers G and causing the
lowest block contained in the hopper F to fall onto the slab E which has been
previously supplied with a wrapping sheet.
The slab E and adjacent parts are best seen at Figures 3, 4, 5 and 12, where
the said slab is carried on the upper ends of two vertically sliding rods E¹ which
are connected together at their lower ends by .a cross piece E2, and the base of
the cross piece is of suitable form to receive a vertical thrust for the purpose
of raising the slab E when required, whilst a roller is provided for drawing
down the slab as hereafter described. J, J, are two leaves which are hinged
to brackets J on the slide C, the said brackets 1 being of such a height that
when the leaves J are opened out they are level with the surface of the slab E
when in its lowest position. J2, J2 are a pair of end wings hinged to the ends
of the leaves J, and J3, J³ are projections which actuate the wings J2 as hereafter
described. J, J4 are another pair of end wings, and the end wings J2 and J* all
tend to keep in the same plane as the leaves J, by means of springs not shewn in
the drawings. Figure 3 shews the slab E and the leaves J with their end
wings J and J all spread out in one plane. Figure 4 shews the same parts with
the leaves J turned up so as to form a rectangular trough, and Figure 5 shews
the end wings J and J turned in so that the slab E, leaves J, and wings J
and J form a rectangular box. The folding up of the side leaves J is effected by
means of an embracing fork K which is supported on a rod K' carrying friction
rollers K at its lower end, and the base of the fork K carries a frame K³ having
two end plates K and K hinged on its opposite ends, and the bases of the end
plates K and K5 travel in recesses K in such a manner as to cause them to rise
partly opened out, for the first portion of their upward movement when the
frame K³ begins to rise, and then to close in and complete their movement in a
vertical line. The above described fork K with its frame K³ is operated at
the end of the stroke of the slide C by the release of the lever R, which, through the
medium of the shaft R5, arm R15 and connecting rod Rs, actuates the bell crank
lever R³ thus causing the latter to suddenly lift the roller K2 with the result
of closing the leaves J and raising the end plates K and K into the position
shewn at Figure 4. Referring particularly to Figure 6, L is a U-shaped channel
fixed at one end to a pivot L₁ carried by a single bearing forming one end of one

page_text: of a pair of suspended arms L², L2, which are coupled together at their lower
ends by a cross piece L formed with a seat on its front edge against which the
channel L rests and is supported throughout its length, when in its normal
position.
L³ is a connecting fork connecting the arm L³ through the medium of a rod L
with a vertically moving spring rod L which carries a roller L at its lower end
for receiving motion or being controlled by a rail L' carried on the slide C.
M (Fig. 6) is a straight edge carried on two arms M', which receive motion
through a connecting fork M³, rod M³, vertically moving spring rod M' and
roller M, from an incline M6, (see also Fig. 1) and the latter is suddenly
collapsed, thereby dropping the spring rod M with its roller M³.
The collapsable incline M seen at Figure 1, is held up by means of a pawl M8
which rests against a spring block M, in such a manner that when the spring
block is depressed the pawl M8 is let go and the incline M6 is suddenly
collapsed. The incline M is dropped at the required time during the movement
of the slide C by means of an angle piece Mo carried on the framework which
depresses the spring block M as it passes, and the incline M is returned to its
raised position by means of an incline M up which a projection or pin M
on the incline M6 travels at the end of the stroke of the slide C.
The incline M6 and rail M7 are set in such positions that the spring rods M
and L are raised simultaneously, as the slide C advances with the block held on
the slab E in the position shewn at Figure 4, thus causing the two pairs of
links M¹ and L2 to close simultaneously, the straight edge M entering the
channel L and taking the upstanding edges of the covering with it. A hook M
on one of the arms M¹ engages with a volute hook L on the channel L, and on
the sudden return of the straight edge M to its normal position caused by the
collapse of the incline M6, the channel L is turned over on its pivot L¹ taking
the fold contained in the channel L with it, and so forming a locked fold as
best seen at Figure 11. Figures 8, 9 and 10 shew the action of the parts
above described for forming the locked fold.
Owing to the length of the rail L' the channel is allowed to remain in the
position shewn in dotted lines at Figure 6, where it holds the locked fold intact
whilst the latter is drawn through and out of the channel L by the movement
of the slide C. On the return of the slide C, the roller L descends the incline
of the rail L thus returning the channel L to its normal position, the turning
over of the said channel being effected by means of a chain L' attached to the
side of the pivot L', and which when the channel L is first turned over by the
hooks and I8, is wound for half a circumference on the exterior of the
pivot L. The chain L receives its motion from a rocking lever L2 to which
it is attached at its upper end, and the said lever is connected to the spring rod L
by means of a chain L3 in such a manner that the advance of the channel L and
rise of the rod L slacken the chain L, and their return tightens the chain,
with the consequent effect of turning the channel L over into its normal position.
The movement of the slide C draws the locked fold of the wrapper through
the channel L, and as it leaves the latter the said locked fold is rolled down
by a roller B2 (Fig. 1), a small platform K7 carried on the end plate K³ supporting
the under portion of the front end of the locked fold. The roller 13ª is given
a rotary motion by means of a chain B3 which winds on a smaller portion B+
of the roller B2. The opposite end of the said chain B3 passes under a guide
roller B5 and terminates in a hook B6 which latter is turned down so as to
intercept the end of the slide C when it passes underneath. The passing of
the slide C draws out the chain B3 which turns the roller B2 with a slightly
swifter surface motion than that of the slide C owing to the differences of
diameter of the roller 132 and the portion B, thus preventing any drag on the
fold of the wrapper. The roller 12 is returned to its normal position as the
slide recedes by means of a spring within the said roller.
As the slide C continues its advance the roller K² (Fig. 12) is intercepted

page_text: by an incline B', which lowers the roller K2 drawing with it the rod K', fork K,
frame K³ and end plates K and K³, thus leaving the side leaves J free, but
these latter are prevented from falling by their entry at this moment between
guide rails V (Figs. 2, 4, and 5) which are carried on brackets attached to
girders X supported on the framework A.
V₁, V are rods mounted on brackets attached to the girders X, and V2, V2 are
tappets mounted on the rods V which when they come into contact with stops V³
(Figs. 4 and 5) on the slide C, twist the rods Vi and so cause two fingers V4, V+
carried on the upper ends of the said rods to turn in and close the end
wings J, J into the position seen at Figure 5 thus forming the second end
folds on one end of the now partially wrapped block. The second end folds at
the opposite end of the block are formed about the same time by the pro-
jections J³ coming in contact with the guide rails V thus turning the end
wings J into the closed position as also seen at Figure 5. The block is now
completely wrapped, with the exception of the last folds, viz.: turning down
the projecting ends seen at Figure 11, and this final folding operation is effected
by passing the block up between the girders X. X (Figs. 1 and 12) is a top
plate, and N are folding fingers having rollers N³ on their ends which allow the
blocks to pass when moved up, thus forming the last end folds, and the said
rollers then prevent the return of the blocks. The block is raised at the end of
the stroke of the slide C by means of the arm R", the friction roller R¹² of
which comes against the base of the cross piece E on the release of the lever R³,
thus effecting a quick rise of the slab E. The wrapped block is now ejected from
the machine by means of a swinging cranked lever T (Figs. 1 and 2) carrying a
pusher T on its end, the movement of the cranked lever T being effected from
the rocking shaft H by means of an arm T2 and connecting rod 'T.
A travelling band, table or other receiver may be provided to receive the
wrapped block as it leaves the machine, or it may be removed by hand if desired.
The slide C has now arrived at the end of its stroke, and after a comparative
pause caused by the crossing of the dead point of the crank 1), the said slide
begins its return movement. The roller E3 now travels down an incline Y which
is at a sufficiently steep angle to lower the slab E in time to clear the roller No
as the slide recedes. The side leaves J with their end wings J and J* become
withdrawn from the embrace of the guide rails V, thus allowing them to fall
down and spread out into the position shown at Figure 3, ready for the reception
of the next sheet of wrapping material. The cam M6 being in the collapsed
position, the roller M is not actuated, and the roller L coming to the incline
portion of the rail L returns the channel L to its normal position as shown at
Figure 6. The end of the return movement of the slide C carries the pin M¹ up
the incline M1, thus returning the incline M6 to its normal position, and on the
feeding of the next sheet of wrapping material to the slab E, the latter is ready
for the reception of the next block from the hopper F.
It will be readily seen that the other slab with its side leaves and adjacent
parts carried on the other end of the slide C, performs similar movements and
operations with corresponding mechanisms to those above described with reference
to the first slab, and the following condensed description of the wrapping of a
block will explain more fully the process to which the block and its wrapper are
subjected, without dealing with the details of mechanism already fully described.
The lowest of the blocks to be wrapped contained in the hopper F is allowed
to fall onto the slab E, a wrapper having been previously placed on the said
slab, and immediately after the fall of the block the side leaves J rise together
with the end plates K, K thus adjusting the position of the block and folding
up the first side folds and first end folds of the wrapper as seen at Figure 4. As
the slide moves along, the straight edge M and channel L move suddenly
together gripping the wrapper as seen at Figures 8 and 9, and then on the return
of the straight edge M to its normal position the channel L turns over on its
axis and forms the edge of the wrapper into a locked fold best seen at Figure 10.

page_text: The second folds are then made by the end wings J and J being turned inwards
as the end plates K and K descend, and prior to and during this operation
the locked fold is kept securely closed by means of the roller 12. The final folds
on the ends of the block are effected by the upward passage of the block between
the rollers N and when the block is ejected by the head T of the cranked
lever T the block is completely wrapped and not liable to become loose.
Instead of the hopper F being employed to feed two sets of slabs and adjacent
parts as above described, the slide C could if desired carry one slab, and the
machine would then be of a single instead of a double form.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is: --
1. A frame A having a bed B thereon, the latter carrying a slide C receiving
a reciprocating action through suitable mechanism, the slide C carrying slabs E
each being provided with side leaves J, J, end wings Ja, J, and end plates K+, K5;
in combination with a hopper for feeding the blocks to be wrapped, mechanism for
operating the slabs, side leaves, end wings, and end plates, means for forming
the longitudinal fold, and means for forming the final end folds, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
2. A continuously reciprocating slab for holding the block to be wrapped,
means for forming the side folds, longitudinal fold, second end fold and final
end fold; in combination with the ratchet wheels G6, actuated alternately by
pawls H carried on a projection H³; the forked lever G, slide G³ with its
projection G, toggle links G² and fingers G, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
3. The combination of a continuously reciprocating slide, a slab for receiving
the wrapper and the block to be wrapped, side leaves J, J hinged to brackets J', Ji
attached to the slide, and carrying end wings J, J, J, J, hinged to their
ends, the side leaves and end wings all tending to keep in a horizontal plane but
being capable of being closed up into a box-like form by suitable embracing
mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. The slide C carrying slabs E fitted with side leaves J, J, end wings J2, J
in combination with the fork K and frame K³ carried on the rod K', end plates K
and K³, and suitable mechanism for actuating the said parts, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
5. The roller K2 carried at the base of the rod K¹, in combination with the bell
crank levers R and R14 actuated through connecting rods R8 and R¹³ from an
arm R, shaft R³, levers R and R3, spring R and catch and release mechanism,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6. The combination of the rod P³, carrying collars P, P', and hooked exten-
sions P3, P4 having inclined portions P5, P6, the bracket C2 mounted on the
slide C, the pins R1, R2 situated on the ends of the levers R, R3, the catches S, S¹
carrying projecting pins S2, S3, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. The combination of a U-shaped channel situated on one side of the machine,
and of a straight edge on the opposite side of the machine, mechanism for bringing
the U-shaped channel and the straight edge together and for withdrawing the
latter and turning over the U-shaped channel, all during the movement of the
slide, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
8. The U-shaped channel L carried on a pivot L' carried in a bearing suspended
on the pair of arms L2, L2 and resting against a cross piece L10, the arms L², L²
receiving motion from a rail C through the roller L, spring rod L³, rod L and
connecting fork L³, in combination with a straight edge M carried on arms M¹, M
which receive motion from an incline Mo, through the medium of the roller M³,
spring rod M, rod M³ and connecting fork M2, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
9. The combination of the pawl M³, spring block M³, angle piece M10,

page_text: incline M and pin M¹ for collapsing and returning the incline M6 to its normal
position, substantially as set forth.
10. The turning over of the U-shaped channel L by means of the hook M,
and volute hook L8 in combination with suitable means for returning the
U-shaped channel L to its normal position, substantially as set forth.
11. The roller 132 operated through suitable mechanism, in combination with
the table K7, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
12. The combination of the projections J3, J³ and the guide rails V, for actuat-
ing the end wings J2, J2, and the rods V, VI, tappets V2, V2, stops V³, V³ and
fingers V, V, for actuating the end wings J, J, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
13. The combination of the girders X, X, top plate X', the folding fingers N
with their rollers N³, the rods E¹, E, supporting the slab E, cross piece E
operated through an arm from spring lever mechanism, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
14. The combination of the rocking shaft H receiving its motion through the
arm H³, connecting rod H, arm H³ and shaft He, the ejecting mechanism com-
posed of the cranked lever T carrying the pusher T and operated from an arm T
through the connecting rod T³, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
15. The general arrangement, construction and combination of the various
parts forming our improvements in apparatus for wrapping or folding parcels or
packages, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 17th day of June 1899.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for the Applicants.