US3282021A - Bread wrapping machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 1, 1966 .1. B. HARTMAN BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1965 H ICF Nov. 1, 1966 J. B. HARTMAN 3,282,21

BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Wand aw United States Patent The present invention relates to improvements and modifications of conventional bread wrapping machines to permit the user of the machine to alternatively forrn conventional packages with both ends sealed or the package of the type wherein one end is sealed and the other end defines a bunched neck closed by a tie, and the following disclosure of the invention is offered for public dissemina tion upon the grant of a patent therefor.

Many bakeries have found that there is a present demand for bread packages of the type wherein one end is sealed and theother end has the material gathered'and bunched to define a neck which then is closed by a tie. At the same time there remains a substantial demand for the more conventional packages which have both ends of the packages folded and sealed. Furthermore, the bakeries have a substantial investment in packaging machinery and equipment which is usable only for the production of the conventional type packages. The principal object of the present invention is to provide a bread packaging machine which, in a few minutes, can be changed over from the production of conventional type packages to the extended end type package and vice versa. The present invention not only can be incorporated into new machines as produced by the manufacturer for sale to the bakery, but also may be used in the modification of existing machines owned by the bakeries. This enables the bakery owner to utilize his present machines efficientl'y and to produce the extended end type package without the capital investment in a completely new packaging machine. The modifications necessary to convert an existing machine are relatively inexpensive and can be completed in a relatively short working period. Once the machine modifications have been made the changing of the machine from on type of packaging to the other does not require the services of a skilled mechanic or machinist but can be performed by the regular bakery employees.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of one side of a bread wrapping machine embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the near side of the structure of FIGURE 1, with portions removed; FIGURE 3 is a section viewed at line 33 of FIG- UR-E 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective View similar to FIGURE 1 but illustrating a machine as arranged for the packaging of extended end type wrappers; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the guide for the extended end of the packages.

Although the following disclosure offered for public dissemination is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form or additions or further improvements. The claims at the end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose; as it is these that meet the requirement of pointing out the parts, improvements, or combinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

azsaaar Patented Nov. 1, 19 36 Representative conventional packaging machine the apparatus includes a main frame ltl within which is a conveyor surface 11. The unwrapped loaves of bread are fed into the machine at the side opposite that seen in FIGURES 1 and 4. They are moved onto an elevator 12 which by a pivotal movement raises the leaves up to conveyor surface 11. As this is done a section of wrapping material is folded about the elongated sides of the loaf with the Wrapping material projecting beyond the ends of the loaf. To prevent the wrapping material from being too tight about the loaf a roller (not shown) at the entering end of conveyor surface 11 is driven by drive 13 from a gear box 14. Gear box 14 normally is mounted on cross bar 15 of the frame and has a gear (not shown) which is engaged with convey-or chain 16 to power the gear box and drive 13. Ohain 16 is driven by other power means (not shown). The roller driven by drive 13, the drive and gear box 14 are commonly referred to as the loose wrap assembly.

The partially wrapped loaves of bread are moved along conveyor surface 1 1 by pushers 18 which after turning about the sprockets 19 at the right end of FIG- URES 1 and 4 are cammed out at approximately right angles to the length of chain 16 and move in the direction indicated by arrow 21. As the partially wrapped loaves move along conveyor surface 11 through the portion of the machine illustrated in FIGU-RES'I and 4 the wrapping material at each end of the loaf is folded and sealed by folders and sealers 21 and 22 at opposite ends thereof.

Each of the folders and sealers is mounted on a respective subframe. In FIGURES 1 and 4 it will be seen that folder and sealer 21 is mounted on subframe 23. A control 24 enables the operator of the machine to adjust the amount of heat on the sealers for most effective sealing. After the ends are sealed, end labels are applied by a labeler 25, also mounted on subframe 23. Labeler 25 is driven by a gear (not shown) which engages chain 16 and is attached to shaft 26.

Means are provided to enable the two subframes to be moved toward or away from each other, thus moving the folders and sealers toward or away from each other so that the machine may be used for the packaging of loaves of bread of different lengths. To this end a shaft 28 has threads of the opposite sense on the two sides thereof, one being right hand the other being left hand. On each subframe is a nut which engages the respective threads. In FIGURES 2 and 3 there is a nut 29 engaging threads 30 on shaft 28. A sprocket 31 engages shaft 28 and drives a chain 32. In turn, chain 32 drives sprocket 33 whose hub 34 defines a nut engaging the threads 35 of shaft 36. A bracket 37 connects hub 34 to main frame it) and restrains the hub against axial movement while permitting the rotational movement thereof. Shaft 36 is pinned to subframe 23 by means such as pin 38 (shown here in its modified form). A sliding guide bar 39 is axially movable in a boss 40. Bar 39 is secured to subframe 23 by means such as a pin 41 (shown here in its modified form). v

The arrangement is such that when shaft 28 is rotated in one direction, subframe 23 is moved toward the respective side of main frame It). Opposite rotation of shaft 28 moves subframe 23 away from the respective side of main frame 10. The subframe on the opposite side which supports folder and sealer 22 similarly moves toward and away from its respective sideiof the main frame. Thus the rotation of shaft 28 in one direction moves the two folders and sealers toward each other, while rotation in the opposite direction rnoves them away from each other.

Improvements in bread wrapping machine Pins 38 and 41 are provided with means such as the handles illustrated thereon to permit them to be readily removed to disengage shaft 36 and bar 39 respectively from subframe 23. A mounting block 45 for nut 29 is provided with tapped holes 46 to receive the threaded ends of thumb screws 47. An anti-rotation rod 49 is mounted on the main frame and extends between the two sides thereof. A mounting block 48 is provided for gear box 14. Mounting block 48 is secured to crossbar and in turn supports the gear box. This pivots the gear box upwardly to provide adequate room for vertical movement of the side frame as hereinafter described.

Extension arms 50 and 51 are secured to subframe 23 at the respective ends thereof. Each of the arms has a vertical, tapped, hole such as hole 52 in arm 50 seen in FIGURE 1. Threaded screws 53 and 54 are mounted vertically in alignment with the tapped holes in arms 50 and 51. Screw 53 is journaled in a bearing 55 forming a part of bracket 56 secured to frame 10. Crank 47 has a boss 48 secured to screw 53. Screw 53 is vertically movable in bearing 55. Boss 48 rides on the top of the bearing to limit the downward movement of the screw in the bearing.

Similarly, screw 54 is journaled in a bearing 59 forming a part of bracket 60 mounted on frame 10. A boss 61 forming a part of crank 62 and secured to screw 54 limits the downward movement of the screw in bearing 59. Wedges 63 and 64 are provided for insertion between the boss of the respective crank and bearing to lift the screws 53 and 54- out of the way when they are not in use.

A wrapper guide illustrated in FIGURE 5 is provided for use when the extended end type package is to be produced. It comprises a support plate 66 having U shaped brackets 67 affixed thereto. Brackets 67 support upper guide wires 68 and lower guide wires 69. Two bosses 70 and 71 are secured to support plate 66. Boss 70 has an opening 72 of a size to receive guide bar 39 and a thumb screw 73 to releasably connect the boss to the guide bar. Similarly boss '71 has an opening 74 of a size to receive a guide bar 75. A thumb screw 76 is provided to releasably connect boss 71 with guide bar 75. Guide bar 75 is slidably movable in boss 77 secured to frame 10. Bosses and 77 are provided with thumb screws 78 and 79 so that guide bars 39 and 75 may be locked in place. Gauge blocks 80 are installed on both sides of the main frame 10.

FIGURE 1 illustrates the use of the bread wrapping machine in the conventional manner for sealing both ends of the loaf. Screws 53 and 54 are disengaged from the respective threaded holes in arms and 51. Wedges 63 and 64 are inserted between the respective bosses on the cranks and the hearings to raise screws 53 and 54 away from the arms. Thus, subframe 23 is free to be moved in or out by the rotation of shaft 28 in the usual manner. Of course, guide 39 is locked in place by pin 41, with thumb screw 78 being loose so that subframe 23 moves in the proper manner.

When it is desired to produce a package with only one end sealed and the wrapping material at the other (end projecting out from the end of the loaf, the first step is to turn shaft 28 until subframes 23 abut the gauge blocks 81 Thereupon the threaded openings in arms :59 and 51 are centered under screws 54 and 54, respectively. Wedges 63 and 64- are removed so that screws .53 and 54 descend sufficiently to enter the threaded hole in arms 50 and 51. Cranks 57 and 62 are turned to engage the threaded screws with the arms.

With screws 53 and 54 supporting subframe 23, thumb screw 47 can be removed to disengage subframe 23 from hearing support block 45. Pin 41 is removed to disengage guide bar 39 from the subframe. Pin 38 is removed to disengage shaft 36 from the subframe. Shaft 36 is then rotated in a direction to back it out of nut 34 (toward the viewer), and withdraw the shaft from the opening in the subframe. To facilitate this rotation of shaft 36 a means such as a hand wheel 82 is provided. Shaft 26 on the labeling apparatus 25 is disengaged from its sprocket (not shown) and the shaft is partially pulled out to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4, at which position it is clear for vertical movement with respect to chain 16, the supports therefor, etc.

Cranks 57 and 62 now can be rotated to raise subframe 23 out of the way to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4. The end guide means of FIGURE 5 is incrted along the side of conveyor surface 11 as illustrated in FIGURE 4. Thumb screws 73 and lock the guide means to guide bars 39 and 75. The guide bars then are moved longitudinally until the guides 68 and 69 are in the proper position, at which point the guide bars are locked in place by thumb screws 78 and 79. The tucker (not shown) associated with elevator 12, and on the near side of the machine, is replaced with a tucker such as that illustrated in FIGURE 8 of my prior application, Serial No. 263,044, filed March 5, 1963, now Patent No. 3,237,372, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The subframe holding the folder and sealer 22 may be adjusted in the normal manner to properly position folder and sealer 22. In so doing rod 49 prevents the rotation of mounting block 45 which was disconnected from subframe 23.

Thus, as each loaf is raised to the level to be moved onto conveyor surface 11 the wrapping material on the near side of the loaf projects outwardly from the end of the loaf. This wrapping material then proceeds between the guide wires 68 and 69 as the loaf moves along the conveyor surface 11 under the urging of pushers 18. The opposite end of the loaf is folded and sealed in the conventional manner by folder and sealer 22. The loaf is held tight against the folder and sealer 22 at the opposite side of the machine since the end of the loaf at the near side of the machine bears against the inner enlarged guide bar 68a. After the far end of'the loaf is folded and sealed in the conventional manner the loaf proceeds on through the machine to a subsequent station, not shown, in which a tie is placed about the wrapping material which extends from the near end of the loaf.

If subsequently in the day it is desired to go back to the manufacture of regular packages, the guide means of FIGURE 5 is removed. Shaft 30 is rotated in the normal manner to bring the subframe holding folder and sealer 22 out against the gauge block on the corresponding side of the machine. Subframe 23 is lowered to the FIGURE 1 position. Thumb screws 47 are employed to re-secure the subframe to support block 45. Guide 3? is aflixed to the subframe by pin 41. Shaft 36 is turned inwardly, inserted into the subframe and engaged therein by pin 38. Labeler 25 is reconnected. Screws 53 and 54 are disengaged from arms 50 and 51 and raised out of the way by means of wedges 63 and 64. At this stage shaft 28 is turned in the conventional manner to position the two folding and sealing heads at the opposite sides of the machine the proper distance apart for the particular size loaves being packaged. The tucker on elevator 12 is replaced with a conventional tucker. The packaging machine now can be put back into operation.

I claim:

1. In a bread wrapping machine comprising a main frame, a movable subframe holding folding and sealing elements for one end of the bread loaf and wrapper therefor moving along a conveyor and apparatus to move said subframe only horizontally with respect to the main frame, the improvement comprising: means to releasably attach said apparatus to said subframe, whereby said subframe may be released for movement other than horizontal; means adapted to be connected to said released subframe to lift the subframe and move said elements out of the path of the end of a wrapper moving along said conveyor; a wrapper guide; and means to releasably mount the wrapper guide to intercept and guide the end of said wrapper.

2. In a bread wrapping machine including a main frame, a conveyor along which a loaf of bread with a wrapper thereabout is moved, folding and sealing elements positioned along the sides of said conveyor to close the ends of the Wrapper about the loaf, subframes supporting said elements at each side of said conveyor and apparatus connecting said subframes to the main frame for horizontal movement only with respect to the main frame, the improvement comprising: means to releasably attach said apparatus to said subframe, whereby said subframe may be released for movement other than horizontal; means adapted to be connected to said released subframe to lift the subframe and move said elements out of the path of the end of a wrapper moving along said conveyor, said lifting means including two jacks mounted on the main frame and positioned adjacent each end of the one subframe, and a releasable connection between each jack and the subframe; a wrapper guide; and means to releasably connect the main frame and the guide to position the guide at the one side of the conveyor when the subframe at said side has been lifted out of the way.

3. In a bread wrapping machine including a main frame, a conveyor along which a loaf of bread with a wrapper thereabout is moved, folding and sealing elements positioned along the sides of said conveyor to close the ends of the wrapper about the loaf, subframes supporting said elements at each side of said conveyor and apparatus including a horizontally sliding guide and horizontally positioned screw and nut means connecting said subframes to the main frame for horizontal movement only with respect to the main frame, the improvement comprising: means to releasably connect said guide to the subframe at one side of the conveyor; means to releasably connect said screw and nut means to said subframe at one side of the conveyor; two jacks including vertically positioned screws at said one side of the conveyor and adjacent the ends of the subframe at said one side, said screws being received in a bearing in the main frame and having a boss above the bearing to support the screw from the bearing; wedges adapted to be inserted between each boss and the respective bearing to raise the screw with respect to the main frame; nuts for said vertical screws and secured to the subframe in vertical alignment with the screws; a second sliding guide secured to the main frame and positioned in alignment with the first guide and spaced therefrom; a wrapper guide; and means to releasably attach the wrapper guide to said sliding guides; whereby with said vertical screws backed out of the respective nuts and raised by said wedges said subframe at said one side of the conveyor may be used in the normal manner in the wrapping and sealing of loaves of bread of various sizes, and with said wedges removed and the vertical screws engaged with the respective nuts, the subframe may be disconnected from the first sliding guide, the screw and nut means and the subframe thereafter raised by said jacks and the wrapper guide may 'be aflixed to the sliding guides and positioned along said one side of the conveyor.

No references cited.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner. L. S. BOUCHARD, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE COMPRISING A MAIN FRAME, A MOVABLE SUBFRAME HOLDING FOLDING AND SEALING ELEMENTS FOR ONE END OF THE BREAD LOAF AND WRAPPER THEREFOR MOVING ALONG A CONVEYOR AND APPARATUS TO MOVE SAID SUBFRAME ONLY HORIZONTALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE MAIN FRAME, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: MEANS TO RELEASABLY ATTACH SAID APPARATUS TO SAID SUBFRAME, WHEREBY SAID SUBFRAME MAY BE RELEASED FOR MOVEMENT OTHER THAN HORIZONTAL; MEANS ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO SAID RELEASED SUBFRAME TO LIFT THE SUBFRAME AND MOVE SAID ELEMENTS OUT OF THE PATH OF THE END OF A WRAPPER MOVING ALONG SAID CONVEYOR; A WRAPPER GUIDE; AND MEANS TO RELEASABLY MOUNT THE WRAPPER GUIDE TO INTERCEPT AND GUIDE THE END OF SAID WRAPPER.

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