Importance

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Abstract

A machine for packaging objects such as rolls of paper comprises a direction changing loading wheel to feed objects and groups of objects into closely grouped orientation in the wrapping machine for high speed passage through the machine in a continuous motion generally in a single direction and substantially at a single speed. A wrapper supply mechanism feeds sheets of wrapping material to lie between conveying belts above the article to be wrapped with the leading edge of the wrapper substantially ahead of the article or group of articles to be wrapped. A pair of vacuum wheels alongside the path of the article on axes skewed slightly outwardly from the article path pull the wrapper down in front of the article and allow it to pass underneath as the article passes so that the wrapper becomes wrapped around the top, front and bottom of the articles. Specialized belts and rollers below the periphery of the vacuum wheels assist in smooth transfer of the wrapper without permitting wrinkles at that very high speed. The articles are then transferred from the belt conveyor to bars above and below the article, with chain driven paddles to propel the articles and to wrap the upper and lower portions of the tail of the wrapper about the rear of the articles while at the same time differences in the coefficient of friction between the upper and lower bars snug the wrapper about the article and close any spaces between articles in a group. The ends of the wrapper are folded in and the ends and rear seam are sealed to continuously produce wrapped product groups as the groups move in a linear path, in part by a novel fold tucker.

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First Claim