US2093287A - Feed regulating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 14, 1937. M. J. MILMOE 2,093,287

FEED REGULATING MECHANISM Fild 001;. 15, 1934 5 Sheets-Shee't 2 TO zLscTlzo- AGNET 5 IN VEN TOR. J flLchaeLJMLLmoe K ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES 2,093,287 7 FEED REGULATING MECHANISM Michael J. Milmoe, Glen Ellyn. n1., assignor to F. B. Redington 60., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 13, 1934, Serial No. 748,203

18 Claims.

This invention relates to feed regulating mechanism for feeding properly a web which is to be wrapped about'an article.

An important object of the invention is to provide new and improved feed regulating means including a web adapted to be properly positioned in respect to a cutting element so that the proper amount of web will be cut to the proper size in relation to the article to be wrapped.

Another object of the invention is to provide photo-electric cell controlled feed mechanism for feeding a wrapping web to a cutting element, the web having marking or indicia thereon, the electric cell causing the web to properly feed in respect to a cutting element in accordance with the marking or indicia thereon, so that the web will ,1 always be cut at the same precise position relative to the marking or indicia.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and novel means for feeding a web to wrapping position and cutting the web at an exact position in respect to marking or indicia thereon in proper timed relationship to the article feeding mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a web adapted to be moved to a predetermined cutting position, the cutting element being operated in proper timed relationship with res'pect to the feeding of the'web, the web beingfed a predetermined amount in accordance with the article to be wrapped, the web having means provided therein for controlling the operation of a photo-electric cell whereby the web will be moved to a proper position relative to the cutting element, the web being cut a proper amount with respect to the article feeding mechanism so that the web will be consecutively cut at positions determined by the position of the means on the web.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a detail front elevation of the machine, certain parts being broken away for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 2 is a detail plan section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing some of the operating mechanism; Fig- 3 is a detail end elevation looking in the direction of the arrows 3'3 of Fig. 2 and show- .ing the'parts in operable correctin position;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on the lines 44 of Figs. 2 and 6, showing the parts in non-correcting position; 7

Fig. 5 is a detail elevational view showing the parts Just prior to the correcting position;

Fig. 6 is a detail elevation, partly in section, on the line 6li of Fig. 1;

Fig.- 6a is a fragmentary view showing the mag net energized and its effect on a co-operating element; I

Fig. '7 is a detail sectional view on line l-'I of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a detail plan section on the line'B-B of V Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a detail vertical sectional view on the line ill-l0 of Fig. 1, showing the proper position of the web in respect to certain other parts, no correction being necessary in this view;

Fig. 11 is a view of the web showing the web in its retarded position at which point correction is required and will be made;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, but shows the web immediately after the corrected position and again in normal feeding position;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic or schematic view of the electric circuit employed in connection with the photo-electric cell;

- Fig. 14 is a detail enlarged plan view of the timer element shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional vertical view showing a modified form of light and photo-cell mounting; v

Fig. 16 is another modified form of light and photo-cell mounting, and

Fig. 17 is a detail elevational view similar to Fig.3 but showing a modified form of correcting mechanism in non-correcting position.

Figs. 1 to 16 inclusive disclose mechanism used in connection with the present apparatus and includes feed regulating mechanism for feeding,

8. web which normally lags, the web being normally fed slightly slower than required. Means cooperating with and controlled by the movement of the'web are employed for periodically advancingthe normally lagging web predetermined amounts to properl osition the web in respect to a cutting element, whereby the web will be moved to proper .position relative to the cutting mechanism for a period of time until the lagging web again requires advancement. The web is cut at the desired plane and the cut piece of web is fed to position'in respect to the article to be wrapped, 'when other mechanism (not shown) is employed to wrap the article in the cut piece of web.

The present mechanism or apparatus embodyatively fixed to and drives a transverse shaft 6 upon which there is mounted cutter roller 1.

A gear6 is fixed to the shaft 6' and drives a gear 4 9 which rotates a companion cutter roller l6 (Fig. 1).

The main shaft 2 also has a sprocket ll fixed thereto which drives the chain l2 which cooperates with a sprocket ii! on the shaft I4 .(Figs. 1 and 2). The shaft l4 has a bevel gear l5 fixed thereto (Fig. 2), and this bevel gear drives a bevel gear I6 to rotate theshaft l1. A gear l6 ,is fixed to the shaft l1 and drives a gear l9 which is fixed to a shaft 26, the shaft 26 being parallel to the shaft i1. tatably mounted in leyersor arms 2| and,22 (Fig. 4), which are pivotally connected to a bracket 23 fastened to the frame. Springs 24 and 25 are provided for urging the shaft. 26 toward the shaft I1 and maintaining thegears l6 and I9 in mesh (Figs. 4 and 9). Driving rollers 26 and 21 are slidably mounted on and driven .by shafts l1 and 26 respectively. A driving disk 26 is arranged between the rollers 26 and 21 (Fig. 8) and is always maintained in contact with the rollers 26 and 21 due to the urging action of the springs 24 and 25, thus during rotative movement of the shafts" and 26, the disk 26 is caused to rotate. The rollers 26 and 21 are of the same size and rotate at the same speed. The disk 26 is slidably mounted on a stub shaft 29' (Fig. 8).

A sprocket 36 on shaft 29 drives a sprocket 3| (Fig. 2) on a' feed roller shaft 32 through the intermediary of a sprocket chain 33. A feed roll34 is fixed to thefshaft' 32 and a gear 35 also fixed to the shaft 32 meshes with and drives a companion gear 36. The gear 36 drives a shaft 31 upon'which a companion feed roller 36 is fixedly mounted to rotate with the shaft.

A rolled web 36 is carried by a shaft 46 mounted'in'a bracket 4|. The web 39, whichmay be-of any suitable or desirable wrapping material such as cellulose acetate passes over a guide roller 42 through suitableguidlng elements 43 and 44 and through the feed rollers-34 and 36 whereby the web is fed through the cutting rollers 1 and |6.-

In P a tice the rollers 26 and 21 are located in respect to the disk 26 so that normally the disk will rotateat a speed slightly less than is required to 'feed the web a distance equal to the length or the wrapper. -Means intermittently operated are therefore provided for speeding 'up the rotatio'n of the disk and consequently the feeding of the web to compensate for the lagging of the web o and to move the web in proper timed relationship with the cutter and 'to feed the web a distance substantially equal to the length of the cut wrapper. The means'for speeding up the rotation of the disk and then returning the disk to its nor mal operating speed comprises shiftable means for changing the location'of' the rollers 26 and 21 radially or inwardly and outwardly of the disk. This shifta'ble means comprises rigid ' collars 45 and 46 rigidly andintegrally formed .with

the rollers 26 and 21 respectively. The collars 45 and 46 each comprise an annular flange 41 and an end-flange 46 spaced apart to provide an 'annularspace or groo"e 49. A lever 56 pivoted at 5| to a part of the bracket 23 has-its lower end 52 arranged in the space 49 between .the flanges The shaft 26 is ro- -web to feed faster.

' or pawl 16 (Figs. 3, 4 and 6a).

' lever v56 toward the end of the setscrew 6L .mm as and is adapted'to shift the rollers 26 at 62 on a stub shaft 63 and has its arm 64 pro- I vided with a cam follower. which rides on a cam 65. rotates therewith. Rotation of the cam 65 causes back and forth movement of the bar 51 of the link 55. A spring 66 is provided for urging. the cam follower constantly in engagement with the cam 65. v

The bars 56 and 51 are slidable in respect to each other, therebeing slotand pin connections 61 and 66operatively connecting the two bars, as

clearly shown in Fig. 4. A member 66 is adjustably connected. to the bar 51 and carries a pawl 16 at its upper end,

which is pivoted thereto at 1|. The pawl.16 is adapted toengage the notch 12 formed in the The cam 65 is mounted on the shaft" and bar 56 to move the bar intermittently and co-extensively with the bar 51.

During normal operation of the machine during feeding of the web, when no correction is required,

the. parts will assume the position shown in Fig.-

4, with the pawl or detent 16 being out of the notch 12. If, however, a correction is necessary,

the pawl 16 will be caused to engage the slot or notch 12 to cause the rods 66 to move with the rod 51. Movement of the rod 56 will swing the.

lever 56 on its pivot 5| and shift the rollers 26 and 21 to the right (Fig. 3) to cause the disk to rotate more rapidly and consequently cause the' The pawl or detent 16 is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the slot or notch 12 by an arm 13 which cooperates with the tail piece 14 on the detent The arm 13 is movably connected to a bracket 15 as clearly shown in Fig. 6a. The arm 13 is adapted to be raised by the energization of an electro-magnet 16 (Fig. 6a)., permitting the forward end of the detent or pawl 16 to drop into'its notch 12. When the magnet 16 is de-energized, springs 11 will return the arm 13 to the position shown in Fig. 6, causing the pawl 16 to be raised from .its notch 12. 4

The member 69 to which the pawl or detent 16 is pivoted, is adaptable for adjustable movement along the bar 51 by means of a pin 16 and screw 19 co operating with a slot formed in the. member 69. The movement or adjustment of the member '69-causes the detent or pawl 16 to be the relative movement of the rod 66. This ad'- ju'stable connection permits the movement of the pawl to be varied in respect to the slot 12.

. An adjustable setscrew 6| (Figs. 3, 4and 'I) is adapted to limit the movement of the upper portion of the lever 56 tothe right (Figs. 3 and 4), a

spring 62 being provided to 'normallyurge the' I practice, this screw is so set to permit an overfeed of the material. the amount of the'overfeed being regulated or adjusted as practicable. Therefore,

overfeed and the proper amount of correction respectively. V

The means for controlling the operation of the electro-magnet 18 comprises an electrical circuit Y including a photo-electric relay mechanism and a timer mechanism, (see Fig. 13). A photo-electric cell 83 is arranged within a casing 88 having an opening 85 provided therein to permit a source of light 88 arranged within a shield-l1 to focus a beam of light through the opening 85 and effect operation of the photo-electric cell 83. The web 39 as herein illustrated, is of clear material such as cellulose acetate and is provided with a plurality of evenly spaced, darkened or opaque, lightresisting portions, or other contrasting indicia, provided along the margin thereof. The spacing of the portions or indicia 88 is equal to the length of a wrapper which is to be cut from the web.

' ing leads 89 (Fig. 13) is transmitted to the source of light 88 by the conductors 98. The leads 89 are also operatively and electrically connected to a standard relay 9|, which relay is operatively and electrically connected to the photo-electric cell 83.

The aforesaid electrical circuit also includes a timer circuit which is operatively and electrically connected with the relay 9| and the eleotrow magnet 18.

A timer mechanism 92 (Figs. 1, 2, and 14), comprises a rotary member or shaft 93 which extends through a part of the frame and is driven by a bevel gear 98 meshing with a bevel gear 95 fixed to the shaft 14 (Fig. 1). A contact 88, electrically connected to the relay, is adapted to be intermittently engaged by a pivotally mounted contact arm 91 which is operatively connected tothe electro-magnet 18 and the relay 91. The contact between the arm 91 and the contact 98 is intermittently made by rotation of the shaft 93, which is formed with a cammed surface 98 (Fig. 14), spring means 99 being provided to maintain the contact arm 91 in constant engagement with the shaft 98.

The web is arranged between the source of light 88 and the photo-electric cell 83 in such a manner that the ray of light will be along the edge carrying the marks or indicia 88, themarks or indicia being adapted to interrupt the source of light, the web being constantly fed to the cutters 1 and ID by the feed rolls 98 and 88. As aforementioned, the webis fed slightly slower than the amount required, and inasmuch as it is necessary that the proper length of web be cut,

the web must be fed a distance approximately equal to the spaces between the markings or indicia 88; however, due to the variation of friction on the feed rollers and also the elongation ly and exactly, the particular feeding mechanism herein described is employed. It is further necessary that the web be cut at spaced intervals due to the fact that advertising matter; trade name, et cetera, appears on the web and it is de- A source of electric power comprising conductsirable-that such name or advertising be positioned relatively the same on'all packages, therefore, the present means are devised to cause the web to be cut substantially at the precise, same point, relative to the markings or indicia 88.

During normal operation, the source of light 88 forth by the speed of the feeding mechanism will be unaffected because the pawl 18 will not be engaged with the notch 12. When a portion 88 of the web interrupts the beam of light between the source 88 and the photo-electric cell 83, no impulse will'be set up in the photo-electric cell 83 to keep the electro-magnet de-energized, and therefore the electro-magnet will tend to become energized.

To cause the magnet 98 to be energized, it is necessary that the portion 88 of the web be directly between the source of light 88 and the photo-electric cell 83, and that contacts 98 and 91 be closed. Contact of the contact members- 98 and 91 is continuous and intermittent and the contacts are closed during each revolution of the machine in timed relationship with the cutters, therefore, if the portion 88 on the web tends to cause energization of the magnet, such energization will not take effect unless the contacts 98, and 91 are closed. Furthermore, the contacts 98 and 91 will have no effect on the mechanism unless the portion 88 of the web intercepts the ray between the source of light and the photo electric cell. When, during the operation of the machine, the contacts are closed simultaneously with the interception of the beam of light by the portion 88, the magnet 18 will become energized causing the arm 13 to be raised. When the arm 13 is raised, the engaging end of the pawl 18 will drop downwardly into engagement with the slot 12 whereby the reciprocal motion of the bar 51 will be transmitted to the bar 88. This trans faster feeding movement of the web. The mag-,

net will stay energized only so long as the contacts 91 and 98 are in engagement, therefore, as soon as the shaft 93 rotates a sufficient distance to break the contact between the members 91 and 98, the electro-magnet will again be de-energized and the parts will return to their normal original operable position with the detent again out of engagement with the'slot 12, the shifting of the rollers 28 and 21 to their normal positions being accomplished by the spring 82 pulling the lever 88 toward the right (Fig. 4) but against the stop screw 81. This cycle of operation of energize.- tion and de-energization of the magnet to cause proper feeding of the web relative to the'cutter is continued throughout the operation of the machine. In Fig. 10, the normal operation of the machine is continuedv because the portion 88 is shown as not intercepting the light ray when the contacts 98- and 91 are in engagement. In Fig. 11 the web is shown in positionso that the portions 88 will interrupt the light ray when the contacts-98 and 91 are closed and adjustment is revquired, thisbeingdue to the lag ng of the web.

'this reciprocal movement of the shutter being In Fig. 12 the web is shown advanced after the correction has been made and the feeding of the web has been advanced immediately after the interception of the light ray by the portion 88 and the closing of the contacts 96 and 81.

The above-described"mechanism will operate with both alternating and direct current. Sometimes, however, where alternating current is employed, and due to the fast operation of the machine, it may be possible that the portion 88 'on' the web will pass the opening in the photo-electric cell casing 84 so quickly that it will have no effect on the photo-electric cell and consequently the electro-magnet' will not. become energized, therefore, to overcome such a possibility, it has been found preferable to incorporate a shutter I in' cooperation with the photo-electric cell housing 84. This shutter has a relatively fine or small opening I00 provided therein, (Fig. 1) which opening I00 communicates with the larger opening 85 in the photo-electric cell housing 84,

and moves with the webbing a predetermined distance, and is then causedtoreturn upwardly,

continuous. The downward movement of the shutteroccurs whenv the contacts 98 and 8] are first brought into engagement, the shutter being in timed relationship with the closing of said contacts. This movement. of the shutter is caused by an arm IOI fixed to the shutter I00 (Fig. 1),

the movement of the arm I 01 being effected by a cam I02 engaging ,a cam roller I03 on the arm IN. The arm IOI is pivoted to the bracket M as indicated at I04 (Fig. 1), a spring l05 being pro-- vided to hold the cam roller I03 against the cam.

I02. The cam I02 is fixed to a shaft I00 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) which is mounted in suitable bearings carried by the'bracket 4|. The shaft I06 has a sprocket I01 fixed thereon which is driven by a sprocket I08 on the cutter shaft 6 through the'intermediary of a connecting sprocket chain 'I09,-therefore, the shutter I00 is caused tooperate in timed relationship with the cutter which is also operated in timed relationship'with thetimer mechanism 92. The effect of the shutter arrangement is to theoretically lengthen the porvent any stray source of light from entering the opening in the housing. This shield H0 is pivoted at III (Fig. 1) and assists in maintaining the running web in relative contact to the opening 85 in the photo-electric cell housing 84.

In'Fig. is shownanother modified form of shutter arrangement whereby the photo-electric cell itself is movable, thus eliminating use of separate-mechanism for operating the shutter.

This arrangement comprises the photo-electric cell 83 being mounted in the housing 84 which is fixed to a pivoted lever 'I I2, the pivotal movement of the lever II2 being caused by the cam I02 and the cam roller I03 as described above.

In Fig. 16, the source of light 8 8.and'the housing 81 therefor are mounted on the lever I I2'and moves therewith along with the photo-electric cell 83 and its housing 84. The reciprocal move-- ment of the photo-electric cell and the source of light is'a'ccomplished by the cam I02 and the cam roller I03, causing reciprocation of the entire bracket I I2 upon which both of the light elements are mounted.

In instances where it is desired to over-feed web instead of causing the web to lag, as described above, "some of the mechanism may be slightly changed in conformance with thecon struction shown in Fig. 17, wherein the lever is normally urged against the stop to such a, position where it is over-feeding. When a correction is necessary, the action of the lever will operate inthe opposite direction.

When the mechanism shown in Fig.1! is em-' ployed for over-feeding, and when a correction is desired and the electro-magnet I8 is energized,

cause operation of .the lever 50 moving the end 52 to the left (Fig. 17). This movement will cause the rollers 28 and 2l to likewise move to the left, and therefore retard the rotation ofthe.

disk 28 and consequently retard the feeding. This retardation of the disk causesthe web to 15 the pawl 10 will engage the slot or notch 12120 be fed more slowly, and until the contacts ST and 96 are broken, at which time the parts will again return to their normal operating position as shown in Fig. 17.

Changes may be made in tion, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages. and the right is herebyreserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

' The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1 In a wrapping machine forwrapping a piece of webhaving indicia thereon about an article,

a photo-electric cell, means controlled by the the form, 'constl'uc-- photo-electric cell and cooperating with indicia on the web for moving the web, a rotatable disk for controlling the speed of feed of the web, rollers engaging the disk and driving thesame, and means controlled by the photo-electric cell and causing movement of said rollers inwardly and outwardly of saiddisk to vary the speed of the disk and consequently the feeding speed of the :web.

2. ma wrapping machine for wrapping a piece of web havingindicla thereon about an article, a photo-electric cell, means controlled by the photo-electric cell and-cooperating with indicia on the web for moving the web, a rotatable-disk for controlling the speed of feed of the web, rollers engagingthe disk and driving the same, andel'ectro-magnetic means controlling the position of said rollers relative to the disk whereby the.

speed of movement of the disk and consequently the feeding speed of the web may be varied upon movement of the rollers in a predetermined position relative to the disk.

3. In a wrapping machine for wrapping a piece of web having indicia thereon about an article, a

means controlled .by the photo-electric cell, photo-electric, cell and cooperating with indicia on the web. for movingthe web, a rotatable disk for controllingthe speed of feed of the web, rollers engaging the disk and driving the same, electro-magnetic means for moving said rollers relative to the disk whereby the speed of movement of the disk and consequently the feeding speed.

of theweb may be varied upon movement of the rollers in a-predetermined position relative to the disk, means controlling the operation of 'said electro-magnetic means, and means for adjusting the amount of movement imparted to'said rollersby said electro-magnetic me'ans.', U

4. In a wrappingmachine forwrapping a piec tion relative to the disk, means controlling the operation of said electro-magnetic means, and means for limiting the movement of the rollers in one direction whereby a relatively fine adjustment may be had.

5. In a wrapping machine for wrapping a piece of web having indicia thereon about an article, photo-electric means, means controlled by the photo-electric means and cooperating with indicia on the web for moving the web, a disk for causing the web to feed at a speed different from that normally required, and means in adjustable driving engagement with the disk for varying its speed of rotation at periodic intervals.

6. In a wrapping machine for wrapping a piece of web having indicia thereon about an article, photo-electric means, meansv controlled by the photo-electric means andcooperating with indicia on the web for moving the web, a disk for causing the web to feed at a speed less than normally required, and means controlled by the web when indicia thereon is at a predetermined position relative to the photo-electric means for increasing the speed .of the disk, saidlast named means including a member in adjustable driving engagement with the-disk.

7. In a wrapping machine, a disk, rollers engaging opposite sides of the disk, means for rotating said rollers, and means for automatically moving the rollers inwardly and outwardly relative to the center of the disk to vary the speed of rotation of said disk.

8. In a wrapping machine, a 'disk, rollers en- 45 gaging opposite sides of the disk, means for rotating said rollers, means for automatically moving the rollers inwardly and outwardly relative to the center of the disk to vary the speed of rotation of said disk, said-means comprising a pair of disconnected links, and means for connecting said a links together at certain intervals.

9. In a wrapping machine, a disk, rollers engaging opposite sides of the disk, means for'rotating said rollers, means for automatically moving the 'rollers inwardly and outwardly relative to the center of the disk to vary the speed of rotation of said disk, said means comprising a constantly moving arm and a normally stationary arm, and means for looking said two arms together. I

. 10. In a wrapping machine, a disk, rollers engaging opposite sides of the disk, means for rotating said rollers, means for automatically moving tion of said disk, said means comprising a con- 11. A wrapping machine having wrapper feed-.

connected to said bar, a constantly movable link, and means for periodically locking said two links together. I

12. A wrapping machine having wrapper teeding mechanism comprising a rotatably'mounted 5 disk, a driving roller engaging said disk to drive the same, a bar for shifting the roller relative to the disk to vary the speed of the disk, a link connected to said bar, a constantly movable link,

means for periodically locking said two links together, electro-magnetic means controlling the operation of last named means, and means including a photo-electric cell controlling the operation of the electro-magnetlo means.

13. In a'wrapping machine comprising a web having indicia thereon, web feeding means to feed the web, a photo-electric cell controlling the operation of the feeding means and controlled by indicia on the web, a housing for said photoelectric cell, -a shutter for said housing, and means for causing said shutter to move a predetermined distance with the web at predetermined intervals.

14. In a wrapping machine, means for feeding a web of wrapping material, said web having indicia thereon, a photo-electric cell arranged on one side of the web and controlling the web feed ing means, a-source of light arranged-on the other side of the web whereby the operation of the photo-electric cell is controlled by, the source of light and the indicia on the web, said photo-' electric cell and source of light moving with the web at the same speed thereof at predetermined certain intervals.

adjustable driving engagement therewith.

16. In a wrapping machine, a station having operating means for operating upon a web,'means comprising a cooperatingdisk and roller in adjustable driving engagement for feeding a web having indicia thereon past the station at a predetermined speed, electro-sensitive means controlled by the indicia on said web, and means controlled by said electro-sensitive means for varying the relative positions of said disk and roller whereby web. I

- 17. In a wrapping machine having means for feeding an indicia marked web and means for performing an operation on the web in predeto change the rate of feed of the termined relation to said indicia, the combination of means for controlling the relative speed of said feeding means and said operation performing means comprising a rotatable disk; a totatable roller engageable with the face of said disk whereby the roller and disk are constrained for simultaneous rotation, sensing means con.-

trolled by the movements of the web, and means controlled by the sensing means for moving the roller toward or away from the axis of the disk whereby to vary the relative driving speed of rotation between the roller and the disk.

18. In a wrapping machine, means for feeding an indicia marked web, said. feeding means beingcontinuously operable during the operation speed of said feeding means and said operation 5 performing means comprising change speed mechanism, sensing means for controlling the change speed mechanism controlled by the moirements of the web, and means for reciprocating said sensing means whereby it moves with the web at substantially web speed during the sensing operation.

mcmm. J. MIIMOE.

Images