US2189729A - Packet making and filling machine - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 6, "1940., H. L EVANS Erm;

PACKET MAKING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y f @Q m.. l E www m @m N i. 92 @QW 1, l W/ .m l IEM .A Il! L MJ l l Z u v5 NQ m5, mi @N H ,www MQW@ hu s@ usw 32 TQM V T I: Q\ R\ f! i. .Lr \k\ .ff N5 .si www m N Feb. 6, 1940.

H. L. EVANS ET AL PACKET MAKING AND FILLING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 A INVENRSRS, I/a/zsiwya/JZ) Filed Nov; 20, 1937 ATTORNEY;

Feb. fs, 1940.

' H. L. EVANS ET A1.

' PACAKET, MAKING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet I5 SHIPQ o, @EPE I N..

ATTORNEY BY @y all THUN INVENTORS; ;7

ATTORNEY.

H. L. EVANS ET AL Filed Nov. 2o,

1937I 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 6, 1940.

'I PACKET MAKING AND FILLING MACHINE WNW S,

Feb. 6, 1940. H. l.. EVANS ET AL PACKET MAKING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2o, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 HO O 0 INVENTORS: ffarlyZ-E1/a/wywzyefj/EZ,

Feb. 6, ,1940. H. L.. EVANS ET AL PACKET MAKING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS, ffarzyln@ ATTORNEY.

Feb. 6, 1940.

H. L. EVANS ET PACKET MAKING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2o,` 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY.

Fb. 6, 1940. H. .1.. EVANS Er AL 2,189,729

PACKET MAKING AND FILLING MACHINE' K Filed Nov. 20, 1937 8 Sheets-Shet B INVENTORS:

Patented Feb. 6, 1940 PACKET MAKING AND FILLING MACHINE Harry -L. Evans, Newport, R. I., and George I. Hohl, Brooklyn, N Y.

Application November 20, v1937, Serial No. 175,616

25 Claims.

This invention relates to packet making and filling machinery.

'I'he invention has for an object to provide a novel construction of machine adapted to form envelope-like packets from sheet material, more especially from metallic foil, and thereupon ll the same with material to be enclosed thereby. Another object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic and high speed machine for the purposes stated.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for moving the material from which the packet is formed intermittently and progressively, step by step, while subjecting the same to successive forming and filling operations, and whereby the discharge of the complete packets in contlnuous succession from the machine is attained.'

vOther fobjects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, `will be com- 20 prehended in th'e following detailed description 80 Fig. iris a detail transverse vertical section,`

taken online 4--4 in Fig. 2, but drawn on an enlarged scale, the same showing certain folding mechanism operative in forming the packets; and Figs. -5 and 6 are fragmentary views show- 35 ingv operations of the folding mechanism, lthese latter views being drawn on a still larger scale. Fig. 'l is a sectional view through a packet as formed by the initial side folding operations; and Fig. 8 is a similar view of the packet as 40 formedby the nal side folding operations.

' Fig. 9 is a face view of a packet as formed prior to filling the same.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section, taken on line lll-l0 in Fig. 3, but 5 drawn'on an enlarged scale. i

Fig.'11 isffa fragmentary detail plan view of the conveyer means for progressively moving the initially formed/packets subject to filling and closing operations, and certain other optional op- 50 erations. .and finally to the point of discharge from the machine; and Fig. 12 is a similar view showing another operative position of said conveyer means. 1 A Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical cross section showing the mechanism for filling the packets,

said .View `being taken on line .I3-I3 in Fig. 1, but drawnon an enlarged scale; and Fig. 14 is a similar fragmentary view showing the' filling mechanism as positioned to perform the filling operation.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical cross section showing end folding mechanism for closing the filled packet, said View being taken on line I 5|5 in Fig. 1, but drawn on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 16 shows a sectional view of the filled and 10 closed packet; and Fig. 1'7 shows a face view of the same, with a face Wall thereof provided with perforations which are sometimes desired in connection with special uses to which the filled packets may be put. 15

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

The various cooperating mechanisms making up the machine according to this invention are mounted upon a horizontal bed-plate 20; said bed-plate in turn being supported by a suitable leg frame structure (not shown).

Supported from said bed-plate 20, by standards 2|, is a pair of transversely extending 25 spaced frame bars 22 in' connection with which is mounted the mechanism operative to form the packets which are to be subsequently filled and closed. Supported from said bed-plate 20, by standards 23, is another pair of longitudinally extending spaced frame bars 24, in connection with which is mounted a suitable runway structure (to be subsequently described) to which the formed packets are delivered from the packet forming mechanism, and along which said packets are moved subject to filling, closing and other operations which may optionally be desired to be performed in connection therewith.

The means for forming the packets comprises the following mechanism:

, Journaled in and ,between the frame bars 22, respectively adjacent the opposite ends thereof, are rotatable shafts 25 and 26. Fixed-on these shafts 25 and 26, in laterally spaced apart relation, are sprocket wheels 21 over which run lat- 45 erally spaced conveyer chains 28. Afiixed to said frame bars 22, to extend transversely therebetween and intermediate the running courses of said conveyer chains 2,8, are upper and lower cross bars 29.. Supported by the upper cross bars, so as to extend longitudinally parallel and adjacent to the forwardly moving courses of said conveyor chains 28, are upper channeled guide bars 30, and, in like manner, supported by the lower cross bars, so as to extend longitudinally parallel Ill and adjacent to the return courses of said conveyer chains 28, are lower channeled guide bars 3|. Aiiixed to and extending transversely between the conveyer chains, at longitudinally g spaced intervals in connection therewith, are carrier members 32. These carrier members 32 are provided at their outer extremities with traction rollers 33, which travel in and through the channels of said` guide bars 3|. Supported from the upper cross bars 29, by uprights 34, to extend longitudinally, intermediately, and somewhat above the forwardly moving courses o1' said conveyer chains 28, is a table plate 35. Said carrier members 32 are suitably formed to provide upwardly extending portions 36 adapted to strad die said table plate 35. Afiixed to said portions 36 of the carrier members 32 areforwardly projecting and horizontally disposed push-plates 31 adapted to be moved along the upper surface of said table plate 35 by the operation of said conveyer chains 28. Said push-plates 31 are provided with chamfered marginal side portions 38. ASuitably supported to extend in outwardly spaced relation to the side margins of said table plate 35, and outwardly of the upwardly extend- 'ing portions 36 of said carrier members 32, are fixed fold-backing rails 38. l Means is provided for driving the conveyer chains 28, and the devices carried thereby as above described, with an intermittent progressive movement. To this end a drive shaft 45 is journaled in suitable bearings 4| mounted upon the bed-plate 20. Said drive shaft 40'is driven from a suitable source of power (not shown) by a transmission chain 42, or other equivalent power transmitting means, which actuates a drive sprocket 43 adapted to be connected and disconnected, at will, with said shaft through the agency of a suitable manipu- 0 latable clutch mechanism 44. Said drive shaft 4U, in turn, drives a counter shaft 45, which is disposed at right angles thereto, through the interengaged bevel gears 46 and 41. Said counter shaft is journaled in suitable bearings 48 5 mounted upon said bed-plate 20.. From said counter shaft 45, the shaft 25 of the sprocket chain conveyer mechanism is driven by asuitably designed Geneva gear transmission means 49, whereby the desired intermittent movement 5o of said sprocket chain conveyer mechanism is attained.

Disposed adjacent to the rearward end of said table plate 35 is the means for supplying the material from which the packets are to .be formed. Supported from the frame bars 22 by posts 50 are side frames 5|. Mounted upon a shaft 52, which is journaled in and between the upper ends of said side frames 5|, is a guide roller 53. Journaled in and between said side o frames 5| below said guide roller 53 is a shaftl 54 upon which is mounted one feed roller 55 of a pair thereof, the other feed roller 56 of said pair being fixed on a parallel shaft 51 which is mounted in bearings movably supported by said side frames 5 i, so as to be urged by spring means 58 in such manner as to yieldably press the roller 56 toward and in engagement with the roller 55. The means for driving said feed rollers 55--56 comprises a chain and sprocketvtransmission 59 between said counter shaft 45 and said shaft 52. Fixed on said shaft 53 is an intermittent drive gear 50. The shaft 54 and feed roller 55 thereon is driven by said intermittent drive gear 50 through intermediate gearing 6| in such manner as to produce a desired properly timed intermittent operation of said feed rollers. Feed roller 56 is miven from and in an opposite direction to feed roller 55 by gearing 82 between shafts 54 and 51.

Upstanding from the bed-plate 20 is a stand- 5 ard 63, which supports a spindle 64 for rotatably mounting a reel 85 adapted to carry a supply roll 68 of the sheet material from which the packets are to be made. In the instant case, the sheet material consists of metallic foil, although l0 other kinds of sheet material may be employed accordingly as is best suited to the particular uses to which the formed packets are to be pnt. Cooperating with said reel 85 is a spring tensioned swinging frame 51, carrying guide rollers 15 88 over which the sheet material passes from the roll 86 to the guide roller 53; this arrangement operates to prevent both the formation of uncontrolled slack in the web of sheet material drawn from the roll thereof, as well as too free l) rotation of said roll under the pull of said web.

The web of packet making material is led from the supply roll 58 over the guide rollers il and thence over the guide roller 53. From said guide roller 53, the web passes downwardly between 85 fixed guide plates 59 to the feed rollers 55-55, the same passing between the latter so as to be nipped thereby. The intermittent operation of said feed rollers 55-55 feeds downwardly the free end portion of the web, so that the latter 30 passes between the fixed blade 10 and the pivoted movable blade 1| of a cutting mechanism, thereupon passing downwardly between additional guide plates 12, which extend below said cutting blades, and which terminate somewhat be- 35 hind and slightly above the rearward end of the table plate 35.

Disposed in vertical alignment below the guide plates 12 is a vertically oscillatable guide means comprising guide plates 13. The forward guide plate 13 is provided with tensionally yieldable lip piece 14 which projects above the plane of the upper margins of said guide plates 13. Said guide plates 13 are supported by an osclllata`ble arm 15 which is pivoted on a fulcrum shaft 14 a supported by and extending between the frame bars 22. The pivoted end of said arm 15 is provided with a downwardly projecting actuating arm 11. A cam means 18 mounted on the counter shaft 45 operates through the connectn ing link 18, the outer end of which is pivotally engaged with said actuating arm 11, to produce suitably timed oscillatory movements of said guide means comprising said guide plates 13.

The means for producing properly timed operation of the movable blade 1| of the cutting n mechanism (see Fig. 2) comprises an actuating lever 88 fulcrumed intermediate its ends by a pivot stud 8|. 'I'he lower arm of said actuating lever 88 is operatively connected, in any suitable n manner, to the free end oi' the movable blade 1| of the cutting mechanism. The upper arm of said actuating lever is provided with an antiiriction roller 82 which is pperatively engaged by a cam 83 mounted on the shaft 52. This cam Il serves to produce suitably timed oscillation of said actuating lever 88, whereby timed-movements of said movable cutting blade 1| relative to the fixed cutting blade 'i'ii are in tum produced. 15

A horizontally osciilatable web gripper means (see Fig. 3) is provided to 'cooperate with the yieldable lip piece 14 of said oscillatable guide means, the same comprising a forwardly projecting gripper plate carried upon the depending n y'feeds down the. free and thence between the guides push-plate '31 is -advanced so arm 85 of a spring tensioned lever means fulcrumed by a pivot stud'upon one of the side frames The opposite 'arm 81 of said lever means is`v` providedlwith an` anti-frictionv roller 884 which isA operatively engaged by a cam 89 mountedfonftheshaftl 52. Saidv cam 89 serves toproduce' suitably timed oscillation of said lever means and the gripper plate 84 carried thereby. The forwardly projecting free end portions of the push-plates 31,l which are actuated by the above described conveyer mechanism, are centrally cut awayto` provide clearance for accommodationv oi the gripper plate movements, which occur as the push-plates successively approach the rearward end of said table plate 35.

The feeding ofthe web ofmaterial from the supply thereof for delivery to the packet forming mechanism is" carried on as follows:

Timed operation of the Vfeed rollers 55-56 draws the web from the supply roll- 66, and

o end portion thereof a predetermined distance below the cutting blades '-'-.1|. The thus down-fed free end portion of the web passes between the guide plates 12, plates 13 of the oscillatabl guide means; the latter means being in an operative upraised position (as shown' in Fig. 3) during the descending movement of' said web end portion. The down-fed web portion is disposed, by the describedfeeding movement thereof, perpendlcularly across the rearward end o1' the table plate 35 preaching push-plate 31, the timed movement of which is controlled by the operation of the intermittently actuated conveyer chain mechanism. As soon as the down feeding movement of the web end vportion is completed, the gripper plate means is', by its actuation, operated to advance vthe gripper plate 34, so that the free end thereof engages the down-fed web portion in such manner as to grip the same between said gripper plate end and the tensionally' yieldable lip piece 14, thus holding the same in properly positioned relation to the approaching pushplate 31, and against displacement from such position when said down-fed end portion is severed lfrom the main body of theweb by the action oi' the cutting mechanism. While the downfed web portion is thus held, the cutting mechanism is timed to so function that the movable blade 1| is swung relative to the xed blade 10 to shear through the web and thus sever therefrom a portion of properly predetermined length according to the size of packet to be formed therefrom.-

Subsequent to the web severing operation, and

while the severed portion, which now constitutes' a packet blank, is still gripped between the gripper plate r84 and lip-piece 1.4, the 'approaching that its free end engages the blank so as to grip the .same between said push-plate end and said lip-piece, upon which occurrence the timed actuation oi' the gripper plate means operates to retract said gripper plate 84 'to-normal initial position. Continued advance of the blank engaging pushplate 31 operates to advance the blank with transverse folding effect thereupon, so that the lower portion is upfolded against the bottom of said push-plate, as the latter moves over the rearward end of the table plate 35, while the `upper portion of the blank is downfolded upon the top of said push-plate, as the latter moves beyond the'lower margin of the forward guide plate 12. As these operations'v are initiated, thel erly timed relation vto the intermittent and in front of an ap-A timed actuation of the oscillatable guide means operates to downwardly retract the guide plates 13 so that the push-plate structure may pass thereover, whereafter the guide-plates 13 are again returned to normal upraised position.

The blanks as folded over the push-plates in the manner above described are thereupon intermittently advanced along` the table-plate 35, with their free lateral marginal portions overlying the fold-backing rails 39, subject to the operation of side fold or seaming mechanisms which constitute operative parts of the packet forming mechanism.

In the packet forming operations, the superposed side marginal portions of the initially folded blank are seamed by means of inturned double lap folds. These lap folds are formed by folding mechanisms successively located at two stations bordering the table plate 35; the first folding mechanism operating to make the first lap fold, and thesecond folding mechanism operating to make the second lap fold, all whereby the desired double lap seam is formed. 'Ihese respectivefirst and second folding mechanisms are substantially the same in construction and mode of operation, and are actuated. in propadvance of the packet blanks along the table plate 35, by common actuating and timing means.

'I'he folding mechanisms each comprise the plate 93, the latter substantially corresponding.

in width to the length of the initially folded packet blanks. Said anvil plate 93 is preferably provided with a chamfered lower free edge por- .tion 94. Fixed on each rock-shaft 9| is a folder arm 95, which normally'inclines downwardly toward the 'adjacent fold backing rail 39. Pivotally connected with and carried by the free end lportion of said folder arm95 is a folder block 96, the latter normally occupying a substantially right angular upturned relation to the longitudinal axis of said folder arm 95, being yieldably held in such position by spring means 91 which urges the same into engagement with an adjustable stop screw 98 carried by a laterally offset lug 99 with which said folder arm 95 is provided. Connected withsaid folder block 96, in outwardly offset but substantially parallel relation to the outer or lower face thereof, is a folder blade |00, the same preferably having a chamfered upper free edge portion HM. Pivotally connected by its lower end portion, by means of a pivot pin |02, with the free end portion of said folder block 96 is a link |03. This link is provided at its upper end portion with a engages over a stationary stop stud |05 which is suitably supported from the adjacent bracket member 90, as e. g. by means of an extension piece |06 connected with the latter.

In order to attain simultaneous timed `operation of the opposed folder mechanisms of each set thereof, as well as actuation of both sets of folder mechanisms from and by a common acslot |04 of predetermined length. -This slot i 04 said drive shaft 40.

tuating means, the anvil arms of the first and second sets common to respective sides of the table plate 35 are connected or coupled together by suitable cross-head means |01, and the opposite cross-head means are interconnected by a link element |08 which is pivotally connected to and between knuckle members |09 and ||0 with which the respective cross-head means are provided; similarly th'e folder arms 95 of the first and second sets common to respective sides of the table plate 35 are affixed to a rock-shaft 9| common thereto, the opposite rock-shafts 9| being interconnected by a link element which is pivotally connected to and between crankarms ||2 and ||3 with which said respective rock-shafts are provided.

The means for producing properly timed operation of the described folder mechanisms comprises anvil operating means and folder operating means (see Figs. 2 and 4). The anvil operating means comprises a suitable cam member III which is mounted on and actuated by the drive shaft 40. This cam member ||4 cooperates with the forked end plate ||5 of a connecting rod ||6 so as to produce timed reciprocation of the latter. Said connecting rod ||6 is pivotally connected by its upper end with a lever arm I1 with whibh the cross head means |01, connecting the anvil arms at the adjacent side of the folder mechanisms, is provided. The folder operating means comprises a similar` suitable cam member IIB which is also mounted on and actuated by Said cam member ||8 co operates with the forked end plate ||9 of a connecting rod |20 so as to produce timed reciprocation thereof. Said connecting rod |20 is pivotally connected by its upper end with a lever arm |2| suitably aiiixed to the rock-shaft 9| at the adjacent side of the folder mechanisms.

In operation, the folder mechanisms function as follows:

As an intermittently advanced push-plate 31 moves the packet blank carried thereby between the folder mechanisms of the first set thereof it comes to rest so that the packet blank dwells between said folder mechanisms subject to the operation of the latter thereon. The superposed lateral marginal portions of the packet blank are initially disposed in overlying relation to the foldbacking rails 39, and so that portions thereof project outwardly beyond the latter; these outwardly projecting lateral portions of the packet blank being thus initially -disposed intermediate the upraised anvil plates 93 and the lowered folder blades |00. As the packet blank comes to rest, the timed actuation of the anvil plate arms 92 operates to swing the anvil plates 93 downwardly so that the free edge portions 94 thereof engage said protecting lateral portions of the packet blank adjacent to the outer margins of the underlying fold-backing rails 39 (see Fig. 4) Subsequent to the described lowering of the anvil plates 93, the timed actuation of the folder arms 95 operates to swing the folder blades |00 upwardly. The initial upward movement of the folder arms 95 causes the folder blades |00 to engage the undersides of the projecting lateral portions of the-packet blank and thereupon uplift, upturn and partially infold the same around the edges 94 of the anvil plates l93 (see Fig. 5). During this initial upward 'movement of the folder blades |00, the links |03 connected with the [older blocks 96 are also caused to move upwardly, the slots |04 thereof riding along the stop studs |05. By the time the partial infolding of the lateral portions of the packet blank is oompleted, the lower ends of the slots |04 of links |03 abut the stop studs |05, thus arresting any further upward movement of said links (see Fig. 5).

As this occurs, the timed actuation of the anvil plate arms 92 operates to upwardly retract the anvil plates 93 to normal initial positions, thus withdrawing the latter from beneath the partially infolded lateral portions of the packet blank. In the meantime, the actuation of the folder .arms 95 continues.the upswinging movement thereof. Since, however, the links |03 are arrested as above described, the continued upswinging movement of said folder arms 95 causes the latter to thrust against the ends of the folder blocks 96 which are pivotally connected therewith, but since the opposite ends of these folder blocks, which are pivotally connected to the arrested links |03, cannot move further upward, the thrust of said folder arms 95 operates to turn the folder blocks 98 about the pivotal connections |02 thereof with said links |03 and against the tension of the springs 91. The turning of the folder blocks 95, thus induced, operates to swing downwardly the folder blades |00 with the effect that the partially infolded lateral portions of the packet blank are completely infolded and pressed flatly downward against the blank body as supported by the underlying fold-backing rails 39 (see Fig. 6). After completion of this operation, the timed actuation of the folder arms 95 operates to retract the same Ato down-swung normal initial positions and to return the folder devices connected therewith likewise to their normal initial positions. The

above described operations are performed by the.

.forming means includes a second set of folder mechanisms. Upon completion of the first 'or single, fold of the packet side seams, the intermittent operation of the push-plate conveyer mechanism advances the packet blank to a succeeding station, where the same is brought to rest in position to be operated upon by said second set of nfolder mechanisms. Said second set of folder mechanisms is constructed and operates in the same manner as the above described first set of folder mechanisms, but is so adjusted to the packet blank carrying and supporting means as to function to again fold the first or single fold upon itself, thus producing the nnal double fold packet side seams, as shown at B in Figs. 8, 9 and 17. j

It will be understood that should it be desired to adhere the seam forming laps together, any suitable adhesive substance may be applied to the laps to so adhere the same together as they are formed.

Upon conversion of the packet blank into an envelope-like packet by the formation of the above described packet side seams, the pushplates 31 carry the same on to the forward end of the conveyer mechanism, and beyond the forward end of the table plate 35', adjacent to which isl located means for removing the packets from said 'push-plates 31 and thereupon transferring the same to the receiving end of a runway strucaisavao ture along which the packets are moved subject to lling, closing and, if desired, other operations as will hereinafter appear.

The means for stripping the packets from the push-plates 31 and for moving the same to a transfer means comprises the following mechanism (see Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 10):

Provided in connection with certain of the bearing bracket membersy 30, located at the far ends of the packet side seam folder mechanisms,

and between said bearing blocks |22 is a-trans verse rock-shaft |23. Fixed on said rock-shaft |23 are a pair of laterally spaced forwardly projecting slotted guide arms |24, the same being subject to timed vertical oscillation by the operative movements said guide arms reciprocation, and also so as to be moved, at proper times, upand down by the vertical oscillation of said guide, arms, is a carriage means comprising a body member |25 which is disposed between said guide arms. Said body member |25 is provided with laterally and oppositely projecting guide studs or tongues |28 which are slidably engaged in the slots of said guide arms |24. Aflixed tothe bottom end of said body member |25 is a bottom plate |21, and aiiixed to the upper end of said body member is a top plate |28. Afiixed to and extending vertically between said bottom plate |21 and top plate |28, one in front and one behind said bodymember |25, are guide rods |29. Suitably affixed to the rearward end portion of said bottom plate |21 is a downwardly projecting stripper member |30. Similarly, suitably aflxed to the forward end portion of said bottom plate 21 is a downwardly projecting propulsion member |3|. Means are provided for imparting to said carriage means propof said rock-shaft. Guided by erly timed forward and backward movements,

the same comprising a reciprocable slideplate |32 which is movable between guide rails |33 of a horizontal track plate |34, the latter being supported in connection with one of the frame bars 22 adjacent to one side of the path of reciprocation of said carriage means. Secured to and upstanding from said slide plate |32 is a post |135 from which extends a laterally projecting coupling bar |36, through the free end portions |31 of which the vertical guide rods |29 of said carriage means are slidably engaged. By this arrangement forward and backward reciprocation of said slide plate 32 is transmitted to said carriage means while at the same time permitting Vertical up'and down movements of the latter for purposes presently to be made known. rIfhe timed reciprocation of said slide plate |32 is produced by a suitable cam member |38 mounted on and rotated by `said counter-shaft 45. Said cam member cooperates with and actuates a, pivoted lever member |39, the movements of which are transmitted to said slide plate |32 by the interconnecting link |40. The timed actuation of the rock-shaft |23, whereby vertical oscillation of said guidev arms |24 and the carriage means supported thereby is produced, is effected by means of another suitable cam member |4| which is also mounted on and rotated by said counter-shaft 45. Said cam member 4| cooperates with the forked end plate |42 of a connecting rod |43. Said connecting rod |43 is pivotally connected by its upper end with a lever arm |44 suitably aixed to the rock-shaft 23.

Beyond and spaced from the forward end of |24 for forward and backward' the table plate 35 is a packet receiving platform |45, the same being supported by a base piece |46 aixed to the inner of the two frame bars 24. Preferably the top surface of said platform |45 is provided with longitudinally extending laterally spaced ribs |41, with which dovetail corresponding projections |48 with which the lower margin of the propulsion member |3| carried by said carriage means is provided. By this intermeshing relation of said propulsion member |3| and said platform top, a packet engaged by the former cannot be improperly engaged, and all risk of any portion thereofl being caught or interposed between the moving propulsion member and the stationary platform is entirely obviated.

The operation of the above described stripping and transfer mechanism is as follows: l

As a push-plate 31 carrying a packet reaches the end of its forward movement, and just prior to being carried downwardly around the forward sprocket wheels 21 for return to the rearward end of the table plate 35 by the returning courses of the conveyerchains 28, the dwell thereof in such positionholds the packet carried thereby subfrom. By the time the push plate 31 and packet thereon have been thus positioned, the carriage means has been moved to retracted position, so that downward swinging movement of the guide arms |24 lowers the. carriage means to thereby .dispose the stripper member behind the rearward end of the packet carried by the dwelling push-plate 31. Upon this occurrence forward swinging movement of the lever member |39 is induced by cam member |38 which operates to move forward the slide plate |32 and, through the described connections, thus produce a forward movement of the carriage means relative to the lowered slotted guide arms |24, which, in turn, causes the stripper member |30 to push forward the packet relative to the stationary push-plate |31, thereby stripping said packet away from said push-plate and thereupon deliveringthe same upon the platform |45. Upon completion of this operation, the conveyer chains 28 again take up their movement, whereby the push-plate 31, from which the packet has been thus removed, is caused to swing down around the forward end of the table plate for return to the rearward end of the latter, while simultaneously a succeeding push-plate 31, and the packet carried thereby, is moved forward into position to have the packet stripped therefrom. While this is oceurring, the cam member |4|, through the connecting rod |43 and lever arm |44, operates to rock the rock-shaft |23 in clockwise direction to swing upwardly the slotted guide arms |24, thereby uplifting the carriage means and stripper member |30. While the carriage means and stripper member |30 are thus uplifted, the timing operation of cam member |38 causes the lever arm |39 to `swing back to normal initial position, and through the described connections therewith, causes the carriage member and stripper member |30 to move backward over said succeeding pushplate 31 and packet thereon, following which the timing operation of cam member 4| operates to rock said rock-shaft |23 in anti-clockwise direction to again swing downward said slotted guide arms 24, and thus again lower the carriage means to operative position with the stripper member disposed behind and ready to engage said succeeding packet, whereupon the above described operations are repeated. As said succeeding packet is engaged and stripped from the push-plate carrying the same, the previously removed packet which rests upon the platform is engaged by the propulsion member |3|, which has been lowered behind the same by `the downward movement of the carriage means, so that, as the carriage means is again moved forward this packet is pushed oli" of the platform |45 and into a transfer means by which it is upturned and deposited in position to enter and be propelled in a runway subject to filling, closing and perhaps other desired operations.

The transfer means referred to comprises a bearing bracket |49 which is afiixed to one of the frame bars 24, and journaled in said bearing bracket is a rock-shaft |50 upon which is mounted an oscillatable arm |5| which is provided with a laterally offset slotted receiver |52. Timed operation of said arm and its receiver is produced by the following actuating means. Suitably pivoted in connection with bed-plate 20 is an oscillatable lever member |53, the timed movements of which are controlled by a suitable cam member |54 mounted upon and actuated by the countershaft 45. Pivotally connected with the free end portion of said lever member |53 is a connecting rod |55, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected in turn to the free end of a lever arm |56 which is aflixed to said rock-shaft |50. In operation, preparatory to the discharge of a packet from the platform |45 by the operation of the propulsion member |3| above`described, the slotted receiver |52 is disposed in horizontally aligned position relative to said platform |45, so that the packet, as propelled by the actuated propulsion member |3|, is pushed into the slot of said receiver |52. After this packet is thus engaged in said receiver |52, timed operation of the latter by the described means for actuating the same, upturns the same from said horizontal position`to a vertical position, whereby the packet carried thereby is disposed in an upstanding position at the receiving end of a runway structure and subject to the operation of a combined oscillatory and reciprocatory transport means accordinglyas now about to be described.

As will be observed by inspection of the accompanying drawings, the longitudinally extending frame bars 24 extend at right angles to the frame bars 22 upon which the described packet forming mechanism is mounted. Mounted in connection with the outermost frame bar 24, by supporting posts, is a runway platform |51, and axed to the latter are outer and inner bottom guide plates |58 and |59, the opposed margins of which are spaced apart to form a guide channel to receive the bottom end of the packets, when the latter are deposited in upstanding position upon the runway platform |51. Su'itably suspended from bracket structures |60, which spring from the other frame bar 24, are outer and inner guide rails |6| and |62, the same being spaced apart to provide an intermediate. guide space through which the upper end portions of the upstanding packets move. Said runway platform, guide plates and guide rails constitute a vertical packet runway structure which extends to a point just beyond a station at which is located a packet closing mechanism subsequently to be described. Beyond such termination of said vertical packet runway structure extends a horizontal packet runway structure, the same comprising a continuation runway platform |63 provided with spaced side rails |64 and |65, the whole forming a runway channel of a width sufficient to receive and permit movement therethrough of the packets when the latter are upset from upstanding position to a horizontal or flat lying position.

The oscillatory and reciprocable transport means by which the packets the successively and progressively moved intermittently or step by step through said respective vertical and horizontal packet runway structures comprises (see Figs. 1, 2, 11, and 12) a longitudinal pivot shaft |66 journaled in bearing standards |61 which are mountedon the bed-plate 20 and on an extension bracket |68 connected with the latter. Amxed to said pivot shaft |66, in longitudinally spaced relation, are upwardly extending rocker members |69, to the upper free ends of which is secured a longitudinally disposed base bar structure |10. Said rocker members and base bar structure constitute a transport carrier adapted to swing in and out laterally, i. e., at right angles to the path of movement of packets through the runway structures. Pivotally connected with said base bar structure |10, to extend horizontally inward therefrom, are a plurality of longitudinally spaced carrier arms |1|. Pivotally attached to the free ends of carrier arms |1| is a longitudinally extending transport bar |12, the same having a plurality of suitably spaced impeller members |13 projecting laterally therefrom. Pivotallyfconnected with said carrier arms |1|, intermediate the ends thereof, is a reciprocator bar structure |14, longitudinal reciprocation of which operates to swing forward and backward said carrier arms, to thereby produce longitudinal reciprocation of said transport bar |12 in the direction of the path of movement of packets through the runway structures.

The means for laterally oscillating the transport carrier is operated from a counter shaft |15 which is journaled in bearings |16, and which is driven from said drive shaft 40 by the interconnecting bevel gearing 46-|11. Fixed on and driven by said counter shaft |15 is a cam member |16 which serves to effect properly timed actuation of a pivoted transversely oscillatable lever means |19, the upper free end portion of which is interconnected by a link |66 with one of said rocker members |69 of the transport carrier.

The means for producing properly timed reciprocation of said transport bar |12 through said reciprocator bar structure |14 comprises a transverse rock-shaft |8| journaled in and between the pair of standards 23 adjacent the receving end of the runway structure. Ailxed to one end of said rock-shaft |8| is a crank-arm |82. Mounted on and `driven by said drive shaft 40 is a suitable cam member |63. Said cam member |63 cooperates with the forked end plate |64 of a connecting rod |85, the free end of the latter being pivotally connected with said crank-arm |82. Aflixed to the other end of said rock-shaft |6| is an upwardly extending lever member |66, to the free end of which is coupled, by a universal knuckle connection |81 one end of a connecting rod |66. The opposite end of said connecting rod |86 is connected, by a like universal knuckle connection |89, to said reciprocator' bar structure |14. If desired an anchored spring member |90 may be .connected to said lever member |66 to assist the forward thrusting movement thereof and to prevent undesired play or back-lash.

In operation, after the transfer receiver |52 is upturned to deposit a packet upon the runway platform |51 in upstanding position adjacent to the entrance of the above described vertical packet runway structure, the transport carrier,

vciprocator bar l initial position, is timed by'its actuating means to swing inwardly, thus disposing the rearmost impeller member |13 behindsaid upstanding packet. While the transport carrier dwells in its inwardly vswung position, the means for actuating the restructure |14 is timed to produce a forward movement thereof in the direction of the arrow :c (see Fig. 11). This forward movement of the reciprocator bar structure |14 swings forward the carrier arms |1|, and thereby imparts a forward longitudinal movement to said transport bar |12, so that said rearmost impeller member |13 moves the packet one step forward and into the receiving end of the vertical packet runway structure. It will also be understood that the several packets previously introduced into the runway structures willbe likewise each advanced forwardly therethrough one step. Upon completion of the forward movement of the transport bar |12,.the transport carrier is timed by its actuating means to swing outwardly in the direction of the arrow vy (see Fig. 11) thus withdrawing the impeller members |13 of the transport bar |12 outwardly and away from the packets disposed in the various advanced positions within the'runway structures, in which positions said packets dwell subject to the various operations desired to be performed with respect thereto, as will presently appear. While the transport carrier dwells in outwardly swung position, the means for actuating the reciprocator bar structure |14 is timed to produce a backward or retractive movement thereof in the direction of the arrow a. (see Fig. 12), which in turn swings rearward the carrier arms |1| and thus retracts the transport bar '|12, the impeller members |13 of the latter being outwardly removed from and thus being adapted to by-pass the packets. After the transport bar |12 is thus retraced, the means for actuating the transport carrieris timed to again swing the same 'inwardly in the direction of the arrow y `(see Fig. 12), and the transport mechanism is again ready to repeat its above described operative cycle.

suitably stationed relative to the vertical packet runway structure is means for filling the packet with material desired to be enclosed therein (see Figs. 1, 13 and 14). The means illustrated for this purpose is adapted to deliver into the packet interior a measured quantity of powdered or granular material. Supported by means of a standard |90 from one of the frame bars 24, and so as to overhang the path of movement of the packets in said vertical packet runway structure, is a magazine or hopper |9|. At the bottom end of said hopper |9| is fixed a throat housing |92 having a cylindrical bore |93.

K Said throat housing is provided at its upper side with an intake port |94 communicating .between its bore and the interior of said hopper. Said throat housing is also provided at its underside with a discharge opening |95. Cooperating with and extending downwardly from said discharge opening |95 is a vertically reciprocable funnel means |96 having a laterally tapered free end portion formed by a forwardly and downwardly inclined back wall |91 and a rearwardly and downwardly inclined frontl wall |98. The funn el means is afxed to a carrier arm |99 which is, in turn, aflixedto the vertically extending branch 200 of a bell-crank lever means, the pivotal shaft 20| of which is journaled in a bearing bracket 202 which rearwardly extends from the standard |90. Said bell-crank lever means is provided bearing standards 7 with a rearwardly extending horizontal branch 203. The lower end portion of the front wall of said funnel means terminates in a pivoted, outwardly swingable gate member 204 which cooperates with the stationary lower end portion of said back wall |91. The free bottom marginal edge portions of both said back wall |91 and said gate member 204 are inwardly chamfered, as at 205, to present. .when these parts are normally closed together, a sharp wedge-like terminal means calculated to easily enter into the open mouth of a packet when the funnel means is operatively related to the latter'in the manner presently to be described. Said gate member 204 has aiiixed thereto, to project from the outer face thereof, an actuator tongue 206. Arranged to cooperate .with said actuator tongue 20|;` is an adjustable stop element 201, the same being carried by a supporting bracket 208 which is affixed to said throat housing |92. Journaled in 209, which spring from the inner frame bar 24, is the shaft 2|0 of cylindrical measuring and discharge valve 2|| which fits within the bore |93 of said throatv housing. Formed in the ycylindrical surface of saidF valve are a series of circumferentially spaced measuring .pockets 2|2. y

The means. for vertically reciprocating the funnel means is operated from the counter shaft 45. Fixed on and driven by said countershaft 45 is a cam member 2| 3 which cooperates with the forked end plate 2|4 of a connecting rod 2 I5, the upper end of the latter being pivotally'connected with said horizontal branch 203 of said funnel actuating bell-crank means. Spring means 2|6, suitably anchored by its lower end, has its upper end yconnected with said bell-crank means branch 203, and serves to hold said end plate y2| 4 of the connecting rod 2| 5 in operative relation to the actuating cam member 2|3. The operative periphery of said cam member 2|3 is provided with a series of peripherally spaced agitatorcam portions 2|3 for purposes to be set forth.

The means for actuating the measuring and discharge valve 2|| comprises a drive gear 2| 1, mounted for vrotatable oscillation in connection with a bearing standard 209. This drive gear 2|1 meshes with and drives a pinion 2| 8 on the shaft 2|0 of said valve 2||. Timed oscillation of Asaid drive gear 2 I1 is produced by an eccentric member 2|9 which is mounted on and driven by said counter shaft 45. Interconnected between said eccentric member 2|9 and said drive gear 2| 1 is a connecting rod 220. 4

In the operation of the packet filling means, when,l during the transport of a packet through the vertical packet runway structure, said packet comes to rest beneath the funnel means of said lling means, with the open mouth of said packet opposedV to the latter, timed operation of said funnel means, by its described actuating means, causes thesame to descend so that its closed free end enters into the packet this descending movement of said funnel means is completed, the actuator tongue 206 of the gate member 204 strikes the stop element 201 so as to be arrested thereby with the consequence that further descent of said funnel means exerts an uplifting effect upon said actuator tongue 206 which is translated into an outward swinging movement of said gate member 204. This outward swinging movement of said gate .member vnot only opens the funnel means to the discharge of material therethrough, butV also serves-to mouth. Just before somewhat laterally expand the mouth of the packet so as to assure easy descent of discharged material into the interior of the packet (see Fig. 14). After the funnel means has thus been operatively related to the packet mouth, the measuring and discharge valve 2|| is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction from its normal initial position, wherein its pockets 2|2 are upwardly directed for communication with the interior of the hopper ISI. and so as to be charged with the material supplied by -the latter. This rotation of the valve 2H causes the pockets 2|2 to successively move into communication with the funnel means, so that the charges of material carried thereby are successively dumped into the funnel. By this arrangement, the" full quantity of material to be delivered into the packet is not dumped en masse but in successive portions, whereby tendency to choke up, either at the outlet of the funnel means or within the packet interior, is avoided. To further guard against the choking or bridging of the powdered material at the restricted outlet of the funnel means or within the packet, said funnel means is subjected to a vertically reciprocal agitation or vibration during the flow of material therethrough and into the packet. Such agitation or vibration is induced by the agitator cam portions 2|3' of the cam member 2|3 in a manner which will be obvious from an inspection of Fig. 13 of the drawings. Upon completion of the packet filling operation, the valve 2|| is returned to normal initial position, and the funnel means is returned to normal uplifted position by the timing operation of their respective actuating means, whereupon the packet transport means again functions to move onward the filled packet and simultaneously position a succeeding empty packet ready for a repetition of the above described filling operations.

Suitably stationed relative to the vertical packet runway structure are folding mechanisms which are operative upon the open mouth of the packet to close the same by a double lap end ciosure seam (see Figs. l and l5). These folding mechanisms are positioned respectively at successive stations at which the movement of the lled packets by the transport means is arrested. The first folding mechanism operates to make the first lap fold of the closure seam, and the second folding mechanism operates to make the second or doubling lap fold to complete the closure seam. These respective first and second folding mechanisms are, comparatively, substantially the same in construction and mode of operation, and are actuated, in properly timed relation 'to the intermittent advance of the filled packets along the vertical packet runway structure, by common actuating and timing means.

Said end closure seam folding mechanisms each comprise the following construction:

Journaled in spaced bearing brackets 22|, which spring from the innermost frame bar 24, is an anvil means actuating rock-shaft 222 and also a folder means actuating rock-shaft 223. The anvil and folder means structures each comprise substantially the same detail elements as already described in connection with the packet side seam folding mechanisms, and the same function in the same manner and in the same relatively cooperative relation as do the latter, with the exception that they are positioned to operate upon the packets as disposed in a vertical plane instead of the horizontal plane as was the case with respect to said side seam folding mechanisms. This being so, detail description of said end closure seam folding mechanisms would be largely repetition, and consequently it is deemed sufcient to identify the parts of said end closure seam folding mechanisms by the same reference characters which have been heretofore referred to corresponding parts of said side seam folding mechanisms.

The means for producing properly timed operation of anvil means of said end closure seam folding mechanisms comprises, a suitable cam member 224 which is mounted on and actuated by said countershaft |15. This cam member cooperates with the forked end plate 225 of a connecting rod 226 so as to produce timed reciprocation of the latter. Said connecting rod 226 is pivotally connected by its upper end with a lever arm 221 which is aiiixed to and extends rearwardly from said anvil means rock-shaft 222.

The means for producing properly timed operation of the folder means of said end closure seam folding mechanisms comprises a suitable cam member 228 which is also mounted on and actuated by said countershaft |15. Said cam member 228 cooperates with the forked end plate 229 of a connecting rod 230 so as to produce timed reciprocation thereof. Said connecting rod 230 is pivotally connected by its upper end with a lever arm 23| which is affixed to and extends rearwardly from said folder means rock-shaft 223.

At a station bordering said vertical packet runway structure intermediate the filling station and the first end fold seam folder station, means are provided 'for pressing or closing together the laterally expanded margins or lips of the filled packet mouth, this being done preparatory to producing the first fold of said end closure seam. This means comprises a packet mouth backing block 232 which is supported in connection with the inner runway guide rail |62. Fixed on and actuated by the adjacent end of said anvil means rock-shaft 222 is a presser member 233. In operation, as the filled packet comes to a stop in 4front of said backing block 232, said presser member 233 is timed. by the actuating movement of said rock-shaft 222, to swing inwardly and thereby press the expanded open mouth of the filled packet between the same and said backing block, thus flatly pressing and closing together the margins or lips of said packet mouth.

Supported by the runway guide rail |62, bordering the end closure seam folding stations, is a fold backing rail 234 (see Fig. 15). The superposed closed together marginal portions of the packet mouth are initially disposed in overlying relation to the front face of said backing rail 234, so that portions thereof project upwardly beyond the latter. The successive operations of the anvil and folder means of the respective folding mechanisms will function, as the packets are submitted thereto, to fold said marginal portions of the packet mouth so as to form the desired double fold packet and closure seam C (see Figs. 16 and 17), the folding operations of said anvil and folder means being carried out in the same manner as already above set forth in connection with the previously described formation of the packet side seams.

Upon completion of the closing of the filled packets, the same are transported to a succeeding station adjacent to which the vertical packet runway structure terminates and the horizontal packet runway structure begins. At this station is situated means for down-turning the upstandmoana 9 ing packets to the upset or flat lying position in which they are transported through said horizontal packet runway structure. The means for down-turning the packets comprises a depending oscillatable kicker plate 235 which is fixed on, and which is actuated at properly timed intervals by, the anvil means rock-shaft 222. As the packet leaves the vertical packet runway structure, its closed upper end registers with the free 10 end of said kicker plate 235, whereupon the latter is swung outwardly to tip over the packet to'atlying position upon the platform |63 at the entrance of the horizontal packet runway structure. Certain of the impeller members |13 of the trans- 15 port .bar |12 are provided. at their forward edges,

' with depending push fingers 235, Vwhereby the flat-lying packets may be engaged, upon operative forward movement of said transport bar |12, and progressively and intermittently moved through said horizontal packet'runway structure. At the point wh'ere the packet is upset to fiat lying position suitable means (not shown) may be provided, if desired, which is operative to shift the upset packet into properly registered and aligned relation to the horizontal packet runway structure, should there be any tendency of the same to displacement from-such relation when upset. Means for this purpose may be operated in a properly timed relation to the impulsion strokes of the transport means, by a lever arm 231 and connecting link 238 afxed to and oscillated by the pivot shaft |66 of said transport means. In many cases, however, means for this purpose will not be found necessary.

As thus far described, the machine according to this invention `is adapted to automatically form packets from sheet material, and especially from metallic foil, and thereupon automatically fill the same with a desired material, and thereupon close the same. For many purposes, and especially in cases wherein the packet serves merely'as a commercial container for the material enclosed therein, nothing more remains to be done, and consequently the filled and closed packets may be discharged from the machine upon completion of the end closure seams thereof. In other cases, other operations may be performed upon the filled and closed packets to adapt the same for some special purpose or duty. In the instant case, for example, the machine according to this invention 50 is additionally equipped with means to adapt or convert the packets, when filled with a proper material, to serve as an exothermic pad for use in hair waving or curling and similar hair dressing operations. To this end, the material with which the packet is i'llled is of a suitable chemical nature adapted to generate heat when contacted by water or other suitable fluid. In orderto give the applied/water or other fluid access to the material -enclosed within the packet o r pad, at least one wall of the latter is necessarily provided with a plurality of perforations D (see Fig. 1'1). .In the instant machine, the means for converting the filled packet into an exothermic pad comprises' lthe following mechanisms, which are located at stations bordering the horizontal packet runway structure to which the packets are delivered, and through which the same are moved atwise, subsequent to the completion of the end 70 seam closures thereof. Suitably mounted ln con-r nection with the rearward frame bar 24 is a vertically oscillatable carrier frame 239, the same being oscillated in properly timed relation to the intermittent movement of the filled packets f5 through said horizontal packet runway structure by an actuating cam member 240 which is mounted on and driven by said counter shaft |13. Said cam member 240 cooperates with the forked end plate 242 of a connecting rod 243, the upper end of the latter being operatively connected with 5 said carrier frame 239. Carried by the carrier frame 239 are one or more downwardly facing tamper plates 244. As shown, there are three such tamper plates, disposed in alignment with successive positions of dwell ofthe lled packets 10 as intermittently moved through the horizontal packet runway structure; it will be understood, however. that the number of tamper plates employed is optional, and that more or less than three thereof can be used as may be expedient. 15 Also carried by said carrier frame 239, beyond the tamper plates, is a yieldably supported perforator head 245, the same having a desired plurality of suitably distributed downwardly projected punch elements or pins 246. In the operation of these 20 devices, as the filled packet moves step by step through the horizontal packet runway structure, and while the packets are arrested for their period of dwell, the carrier frame 239 is caused, by its actuating and timing means, to swing downward, 26 thereby carrying the tamper plates 244 into engagement with packets underlying the same, so as to tamp or press the same into a uniformly flattened condition with the content thereof rmly compacted between thev walls thereof. The 30 downward swinging of the carrier frame 239 also y carries down the perforator head 245 into engagement with the packet underlying the same, so that the punch elements or pins 246 are caused to pierce the upwardly facing wall of said packet, to 35 thereby form the desired perforations D therein.

'Before the transport means again moves the packets after completion of the described tamping and perforating operations, the actuating and timing means controlling the carrier frame 239 40 operates to return the same to uplifted normal initial position, ready for repetition of the above described operations. a

The horizontal packet'runway structure terminates in a discharge chute 241, to which the completed packets or exothermicV pads, as the case may be, are naly delivered for discharge from the machine.

We are aware that many changes could be `made in the various mechanisms and devices making up the machine abovedescribed, and that many apparently widely different embodiments of the features of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof as dened inthe following claims. It is therefore intended that all matter contained in the above description'or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim: 00

l. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a conveyer means carrying a plurality of push-plates, a table plate along which said push-plates are successively moved in operative direction by said conveyer means, means to sup- 55 ply sheet material across the receiving end of said table plate subject to be engaged land folded longitudinally about the push-plates as the same move o'nto and along said table plate and so as to provide superposed side marginal portions freely projecting beyond the sides of the pushplates, folder mechanisms bordering opposite sides of said table plate adaptedito engage and flatten vtogether said superposed side marginal portions of said folded sheet material and thereupon double over the same inwardly upon themselves to form fiat folded side closure seams, thereby converting said material int'o envelope-like packets open at one end, means to strip the packets from said push-plates, means to shift the packets to upstanding positions, runway means, means to transport the packets through said runway means, a packet filling mechanism bordering said runway means, and folder mechanism bordering said runway means adapted to engage the open end portions of said packets and thereupon double the same inwardly upon themselves to form and close the same by flat folded end closure seams.

2. In a machine of the kind described in combination, an intermittently actuated conveyer means having a plurality of push-plates, a table plate along which said push-plates are successively moved in operative direction by said conveyer means, timed means to feed sheet material from a supply roll thereof across the receiving end of said table plate and in the path of each push-plate as it aproaches said receiving end of said table plate, means to sever the sheet material so positioned, means to hold the sheet material subject to the severing operation and until the same is engaged by the advancing pushplate, said severed material being folded longitudinally around the free forwardly directed end of the advancing push-plate as the same moves onto and along said table plate and so as to provide superposed side marginal portions freely projecting beyond the sides of the push plates, folder mechanisms bordering opposite sides of said table plate, means to actuate said folder mechanisms in timed relation to the intermittent movement of the material carrying Push-plates, said folder mechanisms being adapted to engage and flatten said superposed side marginal portions of the folded sheet material and thereupon double over the same inwardly upon themselves to form flat. folded side closure seams, thereby converting saidmaterial into envelope-like pockets open at one end, timed means to strip the packets from said push-plates, runway means. timed means to shift the stripped packets to upstanding position for movement through said runway means, timed means to intermittently transport the packets through said runway means, a packet filling mechanism bordering said runway means, means to actuate said filling mechanism in timed relation to the intermittent movement of the packets through said runway means, folder mechanism bordering said runway means adapted to engage the open end portions of said packets and thereupon double the same inwardly upon themselves to form and close the same by flat folded end closure seams, and means to actuate the last named folder mechanism in timed relation to the intermittent movement of the filled packets through said runway means.

3. In a machine of the kind described as defined in claim l, including means, operative prior to discharge of the filled and closed packets from the machine, for piercing a face wall of each filled and closed packet to provide the same with a plurality of perforations.

4. In a machine of the kind described as defined in claim 2, including means operative prior to discharge of the filled and closed packets from the machine for piercing a face wall of each filled and closed packet to provide the same with a plurality of perforations, and means to actuate said perforating means in timed relation to the intermittent movement of the filled and closed packets through said runway means.

5. In a machine of the kind described as defined in claim 1, wherein said runway means terminates in a horizontally disposed section to receive filled and closed packetsflatwise therein, means to upset the filled and closed packets from upstanding to fiat lying position for movement through said horizontally disposed runway section, tamping means bordering said horizontally disposed runway section to flatly cornpress said flat lying filled and closed packets, and means also bordering said horizontally disposed runway section, operative prior to discharge of said packets from the machine, for piercing a face wall of each filled and closed packet to provide the same with 'a plurality of perforations.

6. In a machine of the kind described as dened in claim 2, wherein said runway means terminates in a horizontally disposed section to accommodate filled and closed packets for fiatwise movement therethrough, timed means to upset the filled and closed packets from upstanding to flat lying position for movement through said horizontally disposed runway section, tamping means bordering said horizontal runway section operative to flatly compress said flat lying filled and closed packets, means also bordering said horizontal runway section, operative prior to discharge of said packets from the machine, for piercing a face wall of each filled and closed packet to provide the same with a plurality of perforations, and means to actuate said tamping and perforating means in timed relation to the intermittent movement of the filled and closed packets through said horizontal runway section.

'7. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, an intermittently actuated conveyor means having a plurality of push-plates, a table plate along which said push-plates are successively moved in operative direction by said conveyer means, means to supply sheet material across the receiving end of said table plate subject to be engaged and folded longitudinally about the push-plates as the same move onto and along said table plate and so that superposed side marginal portions of the thus folded material project freely beyond the side margins of said push-plates, fold backing rails bordering said table plate in underlying relation to said superposed side marginal portions of the material carried by said push-plates, folder mechanisms bordering opposite sides of said table plate adapted to engage and flatten down upon said fold backing rails said superposed side marginal portions of said material and thereupon double over the same inwardly upon themselves to form at folded side closure seams, thereby converting said material into envelope-like packets open at one end, and means to actuate said folder mechanisms in timed relation to the intermittent movement of the material carrying push-plates.

8. In a machine of the kind described as defined in claim 7, including timed means to strip the formed packets from said push plates.

9. In a machine of the kind described as defined in claim '7, wherein each folder mecha nism comprises an oscillatable anvil plate to determine the line of seam forming fold, an oscillatable folder arm, a folder block pivotally mounted on said folder arm, a folder blade carried by said folder block, means to yieldably position said folder block and its folder blade for initial folding effect during the initial phase of the operative movement of said folder arm, and

means cooperative with said folder block adapted to turn the same and its folder blade for final folding effect during the final phase of the operative movement of said folder arm, said folder blade cooperating` with the lunderlying fold backing rail during performance of said final folding effect.

10. In a machine of the kind described, means for forming folded closure seams in the production of packets from sheet material comprising, an -oscillatable anvil plate to determine the line of seam forming fold, an oscillatable folder arm, a folder block pivotally mounted on said folder arm, a folder blade carried by said folder block, means to yieldably position said folder block and its folder blade for initial folding effect during the initial phase of the operative movement of said folder arm, means cooperative with said folder block adapted to turn the same and its folder blade for 'final folding effect during the final phase of the loperative movement of said folder arm, and a stationary fold backing means with ,which said folder blade cooperates. ,Y ll. In a machine of the kind described, means for forming folded closure seams in the production of packets from sheet material comprising, a stationary fold backing means, an oscillatable anvil plate movable against the material supported by said fold backing means to determine the line of seam forming fold, an oscillatable folder arm, a folder block pivotally mounted on said folder arm for thereto. means to yieldably position said folder block and its folder blade relative to said folder arm for initial folding eifect during the initial phase of the operative movement of said folder arm, a slotted link pivotally connected with the free end vportion of said folder block, a stationary Stop stud engaging the slot of said link, said link l being adapted to move longitudinally during the initial folding effect of said folder block and its folder blade but being arrested by said stop stud upon completion of said initial folding effect thereby to cause the turning of said folder block and its folder blade relative to said folder arm with final folding effect during the final phase of the operative movement of said folder arm, means to actuate said folder arm, and means to actuate said anvil plate in timed relation to the movements of said folder arm.

12. In a machine of the kind described, means for forming double lapped folded closure seams in the production of packets from sheet material comprising, means to intermittently move the material operated upon, stationary fold backing means by which the portions of the material to be folded are engaged, folder mechanisms respectively stationed at different points at which the intermittently moved material dwells, the initial folding mechanism being adapted to produce a first lap fold and the succeeding folding mechanism being adapted to double said ilrst lap fold, each said folding mechanism comprising' an oscillatable anvil plate to determine a line of fold, an oscillatable folder arm, a folder block pivotally mounted on said folder arm, a. folder blade carried by said folder block, means to yieldably position said folder block and its folder blade for initial folding effect during the initial pha'se of the operative movement of said folder arni, and means cooperative with said` folder block adapted to turn the same and its folder blade for final folding eifect during the 'nal phase of the operative movement of said folder arm.

turning movement relative 13. I n a machine of the kind described, means for forming from sheet material envelope-like packets having open mouths, comprising means to intermittently move lengths of sheet material doubled longitudinally upon itself subject to lap folding of freely-projecting side marginal portions thereof to form the side closure seams of Said packets, stationary fold backing means by which said side marginal portions are supported, opposed sets of folder mechanisms respectively operative upon said respective side marginal portions of the material duringa period of dwell in the intermittent movement of said material, each folder mechanism including a. pivotally mounted oscillatable anvil plate means to determine the line of seam forming fold, a pivotally mounted oscillatable folder arm, a folder block pivotally mounted on said folder arm, a folder blade carried by said folder block, means to yieldably position said folder block and its folder blade for initial folding effect during the initial phase of operative movement of said folder arm,

.means cooperative with said folder block adapted to turn the same and its folder blade for final folding effect during the iinal phase of operative movement of said folder arm, means for interconnecting the anvil plate means of said respective folder mechanisms for simultaneous operations, means for interconnecting the folder arms of said folder mechanisms for simultaneous operations, means to actuate said interconnected folder arms in timed relation to the dwell of the intermittently moved material, and means to actuate said interconnected anvil plate means in timed relation to the movements of said folder arms.

14. In a machine of the kind described, means for forming from sheet material envelope-like packets having open mouths, comprising means to intermittently move lengths of sheet material doubled longitudinally upon itself subject to double lap folding of freely projecting superposed side marginal portions thereof to form'gthe side closure seams of said packets, stationary fold backing means by which said superposed side marginal portions are supported, successive op- DOSed sets of folder mechanisms, one set of folder mechanisms being operative to produce first doubled back lap folds from said superposed side marginal portions while the succeeding set of folder mechanisms is operative to again double said first lap folds upon themselves to thereby complete the double lap side closure seams of csaid packets, said respective sets of folder mechanisms being respectively located relative to successive points of dwell of the intermittently moved material, and common means for actuating the successive opposed sets of folder mechanisms in timed relation tol the dwell of the intermittently moved material subjected to the operation thereof.

15. In mechanism of the kind described as dened in claim 14, wherein each folder mechanism -0f each set thereof comprises a pivotally mounted folding effect during the nal phase of operative movement of said folder arm.

16. In a machine of the kind described, means for forming from sheet material envelope-like packets having open mouths, runway means, means to deliver the packets from said forming means for movementl in upstanding position through said runway means, intermittently actuated means to transport said packets step by step through said runway means, and a packet filling mechanism bordering said runway means and operative at a point of dwell of the packets intermittently moved through the latter, said filling mechanism comprising a filling substance supply hopper having a rotatable discharge valve means at its lower end, a vertically reciprocable funnel means below said discharge valve, said funnel means having a tapered free end provided in part by a pivoted gate member, said tapered free end upon descent of said funnel means being adapted to enter the mouth of a packet dwelling in said runway means below said hopper, means to open said gate member to expand the packet mouth upon entrance of said funnel means into the latter, means to reciprocate said funnel means in timed relation to the dwell of the packets as intermittently moved in said runway means, and means to actuate said discharge valve in timed relation to the movements of said funneLmeans.

17. In a machine of the kind described, means for forming from sheet material envelope-like packets having open mouths, runway means, means to deliver the packets from said forming means for movement in upstanding position through said runway means, intermittently actuated means to transport said packets step by step through said runway means, a packet lling mechanism bordering said runway means and operative at a point of dwell of the packets intermittently moved through the latter, a packet closing means also bordering said runway beyond said lling mechanism, said filling mechanism 'comprising a lling substance supply hopper having a rotatable discharge valve means at its lower end, a vertically reciprocable funnel means below said discharge valve, said funnel means having a tapered free end provided in part by a pivoted gate member, said tapered free end upon descent oi said funnel means being adapted to enter the mouth of a packet dwelling in said runway means below said hopper, means to open said gate member to expand the packet mouth upon entrance of said funnel means into the latter, means to reciprocate said funnel means in timed relation to the dwell of the packets as intermittently moved in said runway means, and means to actuate said discharge valve in timed relation to the movements of said funnel means.

18. In a machine of the kind described, means for forming from sheet material envelope-like packets having open mouths, runway means, means to deliver the packets from said forming means for movement in upstanding position through said runway means, intermittently actuated means to transport said packets step by step through said runway means, and a packet filling mechanism bordering said runway means and operative at a point of dwell of the packets intermittently moved through the latter, said lling mechanism comprising a filling substance supply hopper having a throat housing at itslower end provided with an upper intake opening and lower discharge opening, said throat housing having a transverse bore intermediate its intake and discharge openings, a valve member rotatable in said bore, said valve member having a series of successive substance conveying pockets in its periphery, a vertically reciprocable funnel means below said throat housing discharge opening, said funnel means having a tapered free end provided in part by a pivoted gate member, said tapered free end upon descent of said funnel means being adapted to enter the mouth of a packet dwelling in said runway means below said hopper, means to open said gate member to expand the packet mouth upon entrance of said funnel means into the latter, means to reciprocate said funnel means in timed relation to the dwell of the packets as intermittently moved in said runway means, and means to actuate said discharge valve in timed relation to the movements of said funnel means.

19. In a machine of the kind described, means for forming from sheet material envelope-like packets having open mouths, runway means, means to deliver the packets from said forming means for movement in upstanding position through said runway means, intermittently actuated means to transport said packets step by step through said runway means, a packet filling mechanism bordering said runway means and operative at a point 'of dwell of the packets intermittently moved through the latter, a packet closing means also bordering said runway beyond said lling mechanism, said illling mechanism comprising a lling substance supply hopper having a throat housing at its lower end provided with an upper intake opening and lower discharge opening, said throat housing having a transverse bore intermediate its intake and discharge openings, a valve member rotatable in said bore, said valve member having a series oi! successive substance conveying pockets in its periphery, a vertically reciprocable funnel means below said throat housing discharge opening, said funnel means having a tapered free end providedv in part by a pivoted gate member, said tapered free end upon descent of said funnel means be ing adapted to enter the mouthv of a packet dwelling in said runway means below said-hopper, means to open said gate memberto expand the packet mouth upon entrance of said funnel means into the latter, means to reciprocate said funnel means in timed relation to the dwell of the packets as intermittently moved in said run- Way means, and means to actuate said discharge valve in timed relation to the movements of said funnel means.

20. In a machine of the kind described, means for forming from sheet material envelope-like packets having open mouths, runway means, means to deliver the packets from said forming means for movement in upstanding position through said runway means, intermittently actuated means to transport said packets step by step through said runway means, and a packet iilling mechanism bordering said runway means and operative at a point of dwell of the packets intermittently moved through the latter, said filling mechanism comprising a iilling substance supply hopper having a throat housing at its lower end provided with an upper intake opening and lower discharge opening, said throat housing having a transverse bore intermediate ,its intake and discharge openings, a valve member rotatable in said bore, said valve member havinga series of successive substanceI conveying pockets in its periphery, a vertically reciprocable funnel means below said throat housing discharge opening, said funnel means having a tapered freeiend provided

Images