US2676692A - Article transfer and retainer - Google Patents

Description

April 27, 1954 P. c. BAUER ARTICLE TRANSFER AND RETAINER 2 Sheefs-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 12, 1950 H. M m. EI-WF \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\L wwu llllmi v MN MN m R u R? NA .H TB MN N. R EC 0 w +w I |U A W m April 27, 1954 P. c. BAUER ARTICLE TRANSFER AND" RETAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 12, 1950 '.I1ZQ

INVENTOR PAUL c. BAUER ATTORNEYS 2 Patented Apr. 27, 1954 ARTICLE TRANSFER AND RETAINER Paul C. Bauer, Davenport, Iowa, assignor, by mesne assignments, to American Machine &

New York; N. Y., a corpo- Foundry Company,

ration of New Jersey Application October 12, 1950, Serial No. 189,847

l This inventionrelates to article retainers for wrapping machine elevators and particularly for elevators 0f the swinging type in which the article being wrapped is delivered onto the elevator platform while the platform is in an inclined position, the retainer. serving to hold the article on the elevator during the upward travel of the elevator. I,

The retainer of the present invention is mounted beneath the platform of the elevator and is movable from a position entirely beneath the elevator platform to a position in which retaining fingers project above the top of the platform to hold an article that has been delivered onto the platform.

In elevators of the type in which the leading end of awrapper web is clamped to the article to be wrapped as the article is delivered to the elevator and is pulled over the top of the article while the elevator. moves upwardly, there may be attimes considerable pull on the article tend-v ing to move the same on the elevator. The re-- 7 Claims.. (o1.'19s 27) tainer of the present invention serves to firmly hold the article'on the elevator until the elevator reaches its discharge position and is then automatically retracted to. permit the article to be discharged from theelevator.

In wrapping machine inwhich the web mechanism is controlled by tension on the.

feed web,

the operation of the wrapping mechanism is not 3 afiected by a skip in the article feed and any article delivered to the wrapping mechanism is Wrapped and discharged from the machine. In any cycle in which an article is not fed to the elevator, the empty elevator is raised and lowcred past the leadingend of the wrapper Web.

with its forward edge in close .proximity to the web,.and in order .to avoiddisplaceme'nt. of or damage to the web,the retainer of .the present invention is automatically locked in its retracted position during movements of the elevator when empty.

Reference should be had to the accompanyingdrawings forming apart of thisspecification in which: v I

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an elevator provided with the retainer of the present invention, the elevator being shown in full lines in an intermediate position with the retainer in article holding position, the receiving and dischargingpositions of the elevator being shown in dotted lines.

follower on the elevator in its forward retainer locking position. v

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line indicated at 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the elevator in its discharge position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the elevator.

The device of the present invention is shown applied to a wrapping machine provided with an endless article feed conveyor provided with flights I attached to sprocket chains 2 that push the articlesto be wrapped along a bed 3. The feed conveyor delivers to a vertically swinging elevator which moves from a receiving position in alinement with the bed 3 to an upper dis-- charging positionwhere the article is delivered from the elevator to-the folding and sealing channel of the wrapping machine.

The elevator is provided with a platform 4 that is attached to swinging arms 5 that are oscillated by means of camactuated links 6 to move from the dotted line position in alinement with the bed 3 to the upper position-shown in dotted lines in Fig. '1 where the article is discharged, sufiicient dwell being provided in the receiving and discharge positions to permit delivery of the articles to the elevator and discharge of the article therefrom. The feed conveyor is intermittently operated and stops with the flight in the position shown in Fig. 1 while the elevator is moved upwardly past the flight.-

8 attached thereto which slides in a guide 9 mounted on the elevator platform and in .order to-retain the follower in the position to which is has been moved, an adjustable friction member 1l0 carried by the guide 9 exerts sufiicient resistance to movement of the follower to hold the follower to the position to which it is moved when the article is delivered to and discharged from the elevator platform.

In its discharge position the elevator platform is alined with the top of a paper guide roller iiover which the article is pushed into the folding and sealing channel of the wrapping machine (not shown). The rollers l2-mounted on-the underside of the platform 4 engage with the roller H in the discharge position of the elevator and the wrapper web passes between the rollers II and I2 during movement of the article from the elevator. In the discharge of the article from the elevator, the follower l is advanced toward the front edge of the platform as the article is pushed off the platform i and over the roller H. The follower 1 remains in a position: adjacent the forward edge of the platform 4 while the; elevator returns to article-receiving position so that the paper web is clamped between the follower l and the next article fed to the elevator.

Prior to or during the discharge. of the article" from the elevator the wrapper web is severed below the rollers H and l2'by, meansoffa' suitable knife which cooperates with a shear bar l3 attached to the underside of the elevator and underlying the rollers l2.

Centrally or the elevator platform b'etweenthe rollers I2 there is mounted a retractable article retainer it having a portion that is movable to a position above the forward edge of th elevator platform i in front of arr-article 'on'the'platform to hold the article against displacement during upward movement of? the elevator. The retainer moves forwardlyand rearwardly through a slot I5" forwardly extending arms l6 provided with up wardl'y extending article retaining fingers I! which are positioned in front of an article on the platform'toretainit'on'the elevator during upward movement'of the elevator; The retainer H is provided with axially'alined'trunnions 18 that slide in channels is in brackets zfl'attached to the under side of the elevator platform 41 The retainer- M has a centrally disposed rearwardly projecting arm 2*l'that'is operably' connected to a transverse rock"shaftffmounted on brackets 23 and 24- attachedtothe under side of the platform t. The arm 2l" is pivotally connected to the upper end of an arm 25 that is mounted 'for' turning movementon the rock shaft 22. At the end oftheshaft 22" adjacent the front of the machine the shaft has a crank arm 26 that is connected to a lever 21 that is pi'votally supported intermediate its ends on: the

in the shear bar I3" andhas spaced lower end 'of a link 28that is'pivoted at it's upper I end to a cross rod 29*extending between the elevator arms 5 The -link 2'8 is connected tothelever 21 'by' a'pivot 30 and the free end of the lever 21-"carries a-roller 31 that is engaged while the-elevator" is-irr it's lowermost article receiving position by a segmentcam 32' attached to a cam shatt'tito move the retainer to its article holding position a-f-ter'a-ir articlehas been transferred by the-elevator: The pivot-30" carries a roller 34 that enga'geswitha trip plate 35*(see'Figs: 4 and 5)" attached totlre machine frame and positioned to engage witlrthe'rollr' 34- as the elevator approaches its uppermostposition.

The engagement of thesegment" cam 32 withth roller 3| when the-elevatoris inali'nement with the feed conveyor bed'3 causes thearmii to be rocked forwardly; moving the trunnions: lilforwardlyinthe guide channelsfi 9 to advance the retainer M to position" theretaining fingers ll beyond theforward endof-theelevator plat form 4 and to rock the forward end ofthe'retainer i4 upwardly to-move the fingers II into retaining position in'front'of' thearticle that-has been pushed onto the elevatorbya conveyor-flight I. When thle'roller 34' strikes the'trip 'plate fli the arm 21 isswung rearwardly; rocking the retaining' fingers downwardly: to a position: below the elevator platform and. slidingiithe'rttunnions: l8 rearwardlyin. the channels: [9: to bring the' retainer entirely beneaththe*elevatorxplatform;

across the space fingers.

v onto the, elevator..

It is desirable that the retraction of the retaining fingers be positive in order to insure release of the article in th uppermost position of the elevator. It is also desirable that the mechanism moving the retaining fingers into their retainingposition be yieldableso thatithe mechanism will not be damagedxif the. movement of the retaining fingers to locking position is impeded, for example, by an improper adjustment of the elevator with respect to the feed conveyor.

Thearm- 2 5 is actuatedvby a disk 36 fixed to the rock shaft 22.. The disk has a laterally projectingjpintl which projects in front of the arm 25Jto. provide positive actuation of the arm in rearward; direction to retract the retaining The supporting bracket 23 carries a spring'pressed ball 'detent 38 that is engageable with; either one of two angularly spaced recesses 39 and 40 in the adjacent face of the disk 36. The detent 38 engagesin the recess 39 whenthe retainer is in article engaging position andjwith the, recess 41! when the retainer'i's. in retracted position. The. detent38 and recesses 39 and. 4.0 provide; yieldable. locking means" for holding the retainer in adjusted? positions during vertical movements of the elevator while the rollers 3| and 34 are out ofengagementwith the segment cam 32 and trip plate 35.

Th arm 25- carries 'a spring pressed ball detent 11 that is engageablein a recess" 42 in'th'e disk 33 to normally cause, the" arm 25to move for wardl'y' with the disk 36 to movetheretainer to articleenga'ging position; If, however; there is resistance to movement ofthe'retainerito article engaging position such as might'be caused b'y engagementof the fingers ll" with'the conveyor'fiight; the'detent 41 would'yield'. and allow the disk to move independently of thearm 25;

It is desirablethat the retainer be'positively locked in. its retracted" position during the-:downward movement of the elevator so" that it will be impossible for the retaining-fingers. to; beaccidentally" moved" to a position where they would. block" the entry of'arr articleyonto'the conveyor platform. To this end the; arm 25 is provided with a rearwardlyextending projection 43' which is substantially parallel with the elevat'orplatform when the-retainer I' l" isretracted;

The" guide bar'8 ofthe article clampi'ngfollower 1" has a downwardly projecting stop member" 4 4" attached" to theun'dersid thereof'lthat has a forwardlyprojecting flange 45' that is moved to" a" position in which it directly overlies theprojectibn: 43' of the'leverliwhen the follower-is in itsforward" position. Upon dischargeofthe article from the; elevatorv onto the discharge runwam; the follower: 1' is moved? to its forward? position and? remains this position" untiFit-is again: moved'rearwardly; by an article" pushed" onto-the elevator" platform: The

member" M provides a positive" lock which prevents actuation ofv theretainer during the lowering movement of' the. elevator and until the follower ismovedrearwardl'y by an article pushed. The flange. 45 provides an elongated; stop which is-effective for various posi tions of thefollower 1 adjacent-thereceiving edge of. the. elevator platform: sothat it is not neces-- sary thatthe follower. be always stopped in the sameposa'tioin If there should be a skip in the delivery of arti: cles. by the feed; conveyor; to the: elevator, the follower-.1 will remain initsforwardposition looking, the retainer against movement and actua tion of the lever 21 by the cam 32 -will cause the detent 4| to slip, thereby permitting the actuation of the lever 21 by the cam without causin actuation of the retainer. In the retracted p sition of the retainer, the fingers I! are beneath the elevator platform and to the rear of the forward edge of the platform where they cannot engage with the leading end wrapping paper which hangs in front of the'upwardly moving elevator Whenever there is a skip in the feed of articles to the elevator.

It is to be understood that variations and I modifications of the specific devices herein shown I and described for purposes of illustration may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is: 1. In a wrapping machine a retracted position below said platform and rearwardly of the forward edge thereof to an} article retainin position in which it projects, above the forward edge of said platform, means including a lever on said elevator for shifting said retainer, means for locking said retainer in retracted position, a yieldable connection between said lever and said retainer to permit actuation of the lever with the said retainer locked against movement, and means operating in timed relation to movements of the elevator for actuating said lever.

2. In a wrapping machine an elevator having an article receiving platform, an article retainer mounted on said elevator for movement from a retracted position below said platform and rearwardly of the forward edge thereof to an article retaining position in which it projects above the forward edge of said platform, means including a lever on said elevator for shifting said 'retainer, a, positive actuatin connection between said lever and said retainer for retracting said retainer upon movement of the lever in one direction, a yieldable connection between said lever and retainer for moving said retainer to article retaining position upon movement of the lever in the opposite direction, means operating in timed relation with respect to movements of said elevator for actuating said lever, and means for locking said retainer in retracted position.

3. In a, wrapping machine, an elevator having an article receiving platform and mounted to swing vertically about a horizontal axis disposed rearwardly of the platform from a lower forwardly and downwardly inclined receiving position to an upper discharging position, an article retainer mounted on said elevator for movement across the forward edge of said platform from a retracted position below the forward edge of the platform to an article retaining position above the forward edge of the platform, a rotary, cam having a raised peripheral portion, a stationary trip member, a lever mounted on said elevatorfor bodily movement therewith from a lower position in which it is disposed in the path of said raised portion of th cam to an upper position clear of said cam where it is engaged by said trip member, means for actuating said elevator and said cam in timed relation to actuatesaid lever while the said elevator is in its lower Dosition, means connecting said lever to saidretainer to shift said retainer to article retaining position .upon actuation of the lever by sai cam and to shift said retainer to retracted position upon engagement of said tri member with'said lever, and means for holding said retainer in adan elevator having, an article receivingplatform, an article retainer mounted on said elevator for movement from;

ju'sted positions durin intervals when said lever is disengaged from both the cam and the trip member.

4. In a wrapping machine, an elevator having an article receiving platform and movable from an article receiving position to an article discharging position, an article retainer mounted on said elevator for movement from a retracted position below the forward edge of said platform to an article retaining position in which itprojects above said forward edge, a retainer actuating member mounted on said elevator, means connecting said actuatin member to said retainer to shift the retainer to its article retaining position upon movement of said actuator in one direction and to its retracted position upon movement of the actuator in the opposite direction, said connecting means being yieldable to permit movement of said actuator relative to said retainer, means timed with respect to movements of the elevator for operating said actuator, means for locking said retainer in retracted position, means for moving an article onto said elevator platform, and means actuated by an article movin onto said platform for releasing said locking means.

5. In a wrapping machine, an elevator having an article receiving platform and movable from an article receiving position to an article discharging position, an article retainer mounted on said elevator for movement from a retracted position below the forward edge of said platform to an article retaining position in which it projects above said forward edge, a retainer actuating member mounted on said elevator, means connecting said actuating member to said retainer to shift the retainer to its article retaining position upon movement of said actuator in one direction and to its retracted position upon movement of the actuator in the opposite direction, said connecting means being yieldable to permit movement of said actuator relative to said retainer, means timed with respect to movements of the elevator for operating said actuator, means for locking said retainer in retracted position, means for moving an article onto said elevator platform, a follower slidably mounted on the elevator for movement rearwardly with an article as it is moved onto the elevator and forwardly with an article as it is moved off the elevator, and means controlled by the follower for locking said retainer in retracted position when the follower is in its forward position.

6. In a wrapping machine, an elevator having an article receiving platform and mounted to swing vertically about an axis disposed rearwardly'of said platform from a lower forwardly and downwardly inclined article receiving position to an upper article discharging position, an article retainer mounted on said elevator for movement across the forward edge of said platform from a retracted position below the forward edge of the platform to an article retaining position above the forward edge of the platform, means for feeding articles onto said elevator platform, a movable locking member for holding said retainer in retracted position, a movable member in the path of an article being moved onto the elevator and connected to said locking member to move the same out of retainer locking position upon delivery of an article to said elevator, a retainer actuating member on said elevator, means timed with respect to movements of the elevator for imparting movements to said actuating member, a movement transagave-e92 mittin'g connection between said retainer actuating: member and said retainer; said; connection being yieldable to permit said timedmove ments of said actuating member while: the retainer is locked in retracted position.

'7'. In a wrapping machine, an elevator having,- a platform and movable from an article receiving position to an article discharging: position,

an article retainer having laterally spaced alw ticle retaining fingers at its forward end, said. retainer being'mounted on the elevator beneath said! platform for bodily movements forwardly and. rearwardly and for vertical rocking movements, actuating means for moving said actuator forwardl and rocking the same to move the retaining. fingers across the forward edge of: said platform to. article retaining position" and for rocking the forward end of said actuator downwardly to move said retaining fingers toa position below said platform and moving said retainer rearwardly to a retracted position where livery. ofkthearticleto the elevator, and means for moving said. retainer to its retracted position to permit discharge of an article from the elevaton.

References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,626,379 Armstrong Apr. 26, 1927 138513295" Schmitt Mar. 29', 1932 1",8'88g797 Gladeck Nov. 22, 1932 2170,312 Tiithill Aug. 22, 1939 2 ,192,503 Newman Mar. 5, 1940 25332316 Hexter Oct. 19, 1943'

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