Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~0550~i8
This invention relates in general to an improved
apparatus for feeding slabs of gum to a wrapping machine or the
like. The apparatus of the present invention is of the type
which may include a magazine and associated mechanism for
feeding-gum slabs to and along a predetermined first path to a
trimming and scoring mechanism wherein the ends of each slab are
trimmed and a plurality of parallel score lines are formed
thareon which extend in the direction of the first path t~ divide
the slab into a plurality of sticks connected in side-by-side
relation along the score line. Apparatus of the afore-described
general type also includçs an in-feed conveyor which receives
the trimmed and scored slab and carries it along a second path
generally normal to the first path and toward a breakex and
wrapping machine where the slab is broken or separated into
indi~idual sticks~which are wrapped. A problem has been encoun-
tered in transferring the trimmed and scored slab from the
trimming and scoring mechanism to the in-feed conveyor. In the
past, transfer rolls have been employed to advance the slab to
the in-feed conveyor. If the transfer rolls operate in timed
relation with the wrapping machine, no serious problem is
encountered at the full wrapping speed, since the transfer rolls
turn at sufficient speed to eject the slab clear of the rolls
and onto the in-eed conveyor. However, when the wrapper is
operated at jog speed or manually, as by a hand-wheel, the
transfer rolls may not, and generally do not, attain sufficient
speed to properly eject the slab, with the result that a jam or
pile up of slabs may occur between the transfer rolls and the
in-feed conveyor. This problem has been overcome, to some
degree, by providing a separate or independent drive motor for
105S0'~8
the txansfer rolls, so that the latter rolls operate at a
constant speed at all times. However, the rate at which the
in-feed conveyor travels will vary with the operational speed
of the wrapping machine, as for example, when the wrapping
machine is stopped or started. under such conditions properly
timed relationship between the independently driven transfer
rolls and the in-feed conveyor cannot be maintained.
If a magazine apparatus is employed to feed slabs
to the trimming and scoring mechanism, it is generally desirable
that the distance between the magazine and the trimming and
scoring mechanism be kept as short as possible to minimize feed
problems in trans~erring slabs from the magazine to the latter
mechanism. However, because of the closely spaced relationship
between the magazine and the trimming and scoring mechanism, it
becomes difficult to remove damaged slabs which may become
lodged therebetween in the event of malfunction. The present
invention is concerned with improvements in slab feed apparatus
aimed at overcoming the aforedescribed general problems.
In accordance with the present invention, an improved
gum slab feeding apparatus is pxovided which comprises a frame
including means defining a substantially horizontal gum slab
feed path having an upwardly facing slab support surface, a
magazine feed mechanism including a magazine for containing a
supply of gum slabs, means supporting said magazine on said
frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis extending
transversely of said path and longitudinally spaced from said
magazine between an active position wherein said magazine
extends upwardly from said path to maintain a supply of gum
slabs in vertically stacked relation to said path and an inactive
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position wherein said magazine is vertically displaced a sub-
stantial distance above said path and longitudinally spaced a
substantial distance from its active position, and a pusher
mechanism for successively feeding gum slabs from the bottom
of said magazine and along said path, a plurality of txansversely
spaced and longitudinally extending guide plates mounted on said
frame and defining another horizontal surface above said support
surface and a forwardly facing front surface extending trans-
versely of said path, said pusher mechanism having at least one
pusher finger supported for reciprocal forward and rearward move-
ment in a space between a pair of adjacent guide plates between
an advanced position andaretracted position, said one pusher
finger having a f~rward end portion including a horizontally
disposed first upper surface below the elevation of said another
surface and a forwardly facing first abutment surface at its
forward end, said one finger having a rear portion including a
horizontally disposed second upper surface above the elevation
of said other surface and a second forwardly facing abutment
surface defining a junction between said forward end portion
and said rear portion, and drive means for imparting reciprocal
forward and rearward movement to said pusher mechanism, said
magazine having a pair of transversely spaced end brackets and
means providing transverse connection between said end brackets
and defining front and rear walls of said magazine, said front
and rear walls being generally vertically disposed and having
lower edges spaced above said other surface a distance slightly
greater than the vertical dimension of a slab contained within
said magazine when said magazine is in its active position, said
other surface defining the bottom of said magazine when said
magazine is in its active position.
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In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a
magazine feed apparatus embodying the present invention.
Fig. 2 which is on sheet 2, is a somewhat enlarged
fragmentary plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 which is on sheet 1, is a sectional view
taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.
In the drawings, a magazine feed apparatus embodying
the present invention is indicated generally by the reference
numeral 10. The apparatus 10 is particularly adapted to feed a
substantially continuous supply of gum to a wrapping machine 12
(Fig. 2) and comprises a top-loaded magazine, indicated generally
at 14, which contains a plurality of gum slabs S, S arranged in
vertical stacked relation, an associated pusher mechanism,
designated generally by the numeral 16, which successively feeds
slabs S, S from the magazine 14 to and along a generally hori-
zontal path 18 to a trimming and scoring mechanism 20, a
transfer mechanism 22 which further advances the trimmed and
scored slabs, and a conveyor 24 which carries the slabs S, S
to the wrapping machine 12. The magazine 14 is disposed in
close proximity to the trimming and scoring mechanism 20 and
is arranged to pivot from its active or full line position in
Fig. 1 to an inactive position, designated by broken lines,
wherein it is horizontally displaced a substantial distance
from the trimming and scoring mechanism 20 to permit con-
venient access thereto.
Considering now the apparatus 10 in further detail,
it has a frame 26 which supports a horizontally disposed
surface plate 30 to partially define a horizontal path 18. The
magazine 14 is pivotally supported on the frame 26 and has a
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pair of generally L-shaped end brackets 32, 32, each of which
includes a horizontal leg and a vertical leg. The front wall
of the magazine is defined by a vertically disposed front plate 34
which is connected to the vertical legs of the end brackets 32,
32 and extends transversely therebetween. The lower edge of
the plate 34, designated at 36 and best shown in Fig. 3, extends
transversely of the path 18 in vertically spaced relation
thereto when the magazine is in its active position. The end
brackets 32, 32 are further connected by a cross member 38
which extends transversely therebetween and carries a pair of
transversely spaced upright members 40, 40 which project
upwardly thererom to define the open rear portion of the
magazine 14.
The magazine further includes one end wall defined
by a vertically extending angle bracket 42 fastened to the
! front plate 34 and best shown in Fig. 2. Each end bracket 32
is pivotally connected to an associated side of the frame 26
by a pivot pin 44 which is mounted on the side member and extends
through the horizontal leg of the bracket. The forward end of
each bracket 32 rests on the head of a vertically adjustable
screw 46 threaded into a nut 48 mounted in fixed position on
the frame 26, as best shown in ~ig~ 1. Stops 50, 50 mounted at
opposite sides of the frame cooperate with the end brackets 32,
32 when the magazine is pivoted in its inactive position to
support it in a latter position.
The pusher mechanism 16 associated with the magazine
includes a transversely extending pusher 52 arranged for sliding
movement on the upper surface of the plate 30. The pusher 52
has a plurality of integral transversely spaced and forwardly
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projecting pusher fingers 54, 54 as best shown in Fig. 2. Each
pusher finger has a forwardly facing abutment surface 56 at its
forward end. The forward end portion of each finger 54 is
disposed at a slightly lower elevation than the rear portion
thereof and is separated from the rear portion by another
forwardly facing abutment surface 58. The difference in
elevation between the forward and rear end portions of each
finger is substantially equal to the thickness of a single
slab S, as will be evident from Fig. 3. The fingers 54, 54 are
io received between a series of transversely spaced guide plates 60,
60, mounted on the upper surface of the plate 30 and located
immediately below the magazine 14 when it is in its active
position. The upper surface of each guide plate 60 is disposed
at a slightly higher elevation than the upper surface of the
forward end portion of each pusher finger 54, that is, the
portion of each finger forward of its abutment surface 58.
Reciprocal forward and rearward movement is imparted
to the pusher 52 by a drive mechanism which includes a bell
crank 62 and a link 64 connected between one end of the bell
crank 6~ and the pusher 52. The other end of the bell crank is
connected to a main drive or crank shaft 66 by a connecting -
rod 68.
The trimming and scoring mechanism 20 is located
forward to the magazine 14 in relatively closely spaced relation
thereto. It includes upper and lower sets of scoring knives
respectively indicated at 72 and 74. considering the upper
knife set 72, and referring particulaxly to Fig. 2, it comprises
a transversely spaced series of rotary scoring knives or discs
76, 76 coaxially mounted on a shaft 78 journalled for rotation
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about an axis which extends transversely of the path 18. The
lower knife set 74 is substantially identical to the upper knife
set 72, however, segments of the peripheral edges of the lower
scoring knives project upwardly through slots 79, 79 in the
surface plate 30 to cooperate, above the upper surface of the
latter plate, with respectively associated scoring knives in the
upper set.
Each of the outboard scoring knives, designated 76',
76'in Fig. 2, has a deflector 80 mounted generally adjacent
thereto. An opening 81 is formed in the plate 30 immediately
below each deflector 80. The upper and lower knife sets 72 and
74 are driven in timed relation to the pusher mechanism 16 and
are Dr may be driven by the main drive shaft 66.
A transverse alignment pusher 82, shown in Fig. 2 and
located between the magazine 14 and the trimming and scoring
mechanism 20, projects upwardly through a ælot in the surface
plate 30 forwaxd of the magazine front plate 34 and the end
wall 42. The alignment pusher is arranged for reciprocal
transverse movement from a position outward of the end wall 42
to another position inward thereof. The latter positions of the
alignment pusher are respectively shown in full and broken lines
in Fig. 2. A drive mechanism, not shown, operates the alignment
pusher 82 in timed relation to the operation of the pusher
mechanism 16. A plurality of transversely spaced apart holddown
fingers 83, 83 (one shown in Fig. 3) are also located between
the magazine 14 and the trimming and scoring mechanism 20.
The surface plate 30 terminates at a forward edge 84
forward of the trimming and scoring mechanism 20. Another surface
plate 85 disposed adjacent the lower surface of the plate 30
extends forwardly beyond the edge 84 and terminates generally
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~055058
adjacent the in-feed conveyor 24. The upper surface of the
plate 85 is horizontally aligned with the upper surface of the
in-feed conveyor 24 and defines another portion of the path 18.
A transverse series of forwardly extending slots 86, 86 formed
in the forward portion of the plate 30 and in the plate 85 open
toward the in-feed conveyor 24. A plurality of pivoted holddown
fingers 87, 87 arranged in transversely spaced series along an
axis 89 which extends transversely of the frame 26 are disposed
above the forward end of the plate 30, substantially as shown
in Fig. 3.
The transfer mechanism 22 includes a plurality of
pusher fingers 88, 88 equal in number to the slots 86, 86. The
pusher fingers are mounted along a transversely extending pusher
bar 90, each finger 88 being disposed in an associated slot 86.
The bar 90 is carried by a lever assembly 92 pivoted on a rock
shaft 94 which extends transversely of the frame 26, as shown
in Fig. 3. Roller followers 96, 96 carried by the lever 94
engage a conjugate cam 98 keyed to the shaft 66. Rotation of
the shaft 66 causes reciprocal movement of the transfer or
pusher mechanism 22. The latter mechanism is arranged to move
in timed relation with the other mechanisms which advance the
gum slabs and which comprise the feed apparatus 10.
Slabs of gum S, S are loaded in the top of the
magazi~e 14. The open rear wall of the magazine facilitates
loading so that the slabs S, S may be conveniently stacked in
end engagement with the end wall 42. At the beginning of a
cycle, when the pusher 52 is in its retracted or full line
position of Fig. 3, the guide plates 60, 60 cooperate to define
the bottom of the magazine. As the pusher 52 advances toward
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1055058
its broken line position, Fig. 3, the abutment surfaces 58, 58
engage the rear edge of the lowermost slab S in the magazine,
which is then resting on the guide plates 60, 60, and push it
in a forward direction past the lower edge 36 and out of the
magazine. The vertical position of the lower edge 36 is ad-
justed to prevent more than one slab from being fed from the
magazine during each pusher ~ycle. When the pusher reaches
its advanced or broken line position, Fig. 3, the slab rests
on the forward end portions of the fingers beyond the forward
edges of the guide plates 60, 60 and the rear portions of the
pusher fingers 54, 54 now define the bottom of the magazine.
During the return stroke of the pu~her 52, the
forward edges of the guide plates 60, 60 engage the rear edge
of the slab to prevent retrograde slab movement. The cross
member or bar 38 prevents the lowermost slab in the magazine,
now resting on the pusher fingers 54, 54 from being moved rear-
ward out of the magazine during the return stroke of the pusher 52.
When the pusher 52 attains its retracted position, the slab is
disposed in the path 18 in general transverse alignment with
the alignment pusher 82 which then moves inwardly to its full
line position to move the slab to position Sl, Fig. 2, and ~lign
it with the trimming and scoring mechanism.
During the next cycle of the pusher, the abutment
surfaces 58, 58 engage the next successive slab S at the bottom
of the stack, whereas the abutment surfaces 56, 56 engage the
slab at position Sl and advance it to position S2. The next
successive cycle of the pusher mechanism 16 causes the slab at
position S2 to advance under line pressure exerted by the slab
therebehind. The advancing slab is held down against the surface
lOS5058
of the plate 30 and in the path 18 by the holddown fingers 83,
83 and enters the nip between the upper and lower knife sets 72
and 74. The slab is then further advanced by the latter kni~e
sets while it is simultaneously scored.
The scoring knives which comprise the scoring mechanism
20 cut only partially through the upper and lower surfaces of the
slab to form parallel score lines thereon. As the slab passes
through the trimming and scoring mechanism 20, the deflectors 80,
80 engage selvage at the opposite marginal end portions thereof
and deflect it downwardly to break it away from the slab and
cause it to drop through the openings 81, 81. In the manner
aforedescribed, the slab is trimmed to desired length.
Each slab is further advanced by line pressure
exerted by the next succeeding slab advanced by the trimming and
scoring mechanism, The pivoted holddown fingers 87, 87 stabilize
the slab as it passes thereunder. The slab continues to advance
under line pressure until it passes the forward edge 84 where-
upon it drops to the lower level of the path 18, as defined by
the upper surface of the plate 85, a slab in the latter po~ition
being indicated at S3, Fig. 3. At this point in time, the pusher
mechanism 22 is in its retracted position, the pusher fingers 88,
88 being disposed within the slots 86, 86 and rearwardly of the
forward edge 84. The pusher mechanism 22 dwells in the latter
position while the slab advances to position S3 whereupon the
pusher fingers 88, 88 move to the forward position in full lines
in Fig. 2 and indicated by broken lines in Fig. 3, to advance
the slab to position S4 on the in-feed conveyor 24 which carries
the slab in a transversedirection to a breaker (not shown).
The breaker, which includes conventional bxeaker wheels,
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separates the slab into individual sticks by breaking it
along the various score lines. The sticks are then wrapped
by the wrapping machine 12. The pusher mechanism 22, of course,
operates in timed relation with the in-feed conveyor 24 so that
each slab is advanced a sufficient distance by the conveyor 24
before the next successive slab is fed to the conveyor by the
pusher mechanism 22. The entire feed mechanism which comprises
the apparatus 10 is driven in timed relation with the wrapping
machine 12.
In setting up the apparatus 10, it may be desirable
to jog it or cycle it manually, as for example, by turning a
hand wheel (not shown) associated with the main drive shaft 66.
In the present apparatus, this may be done without the risk of
jam occurrence in the path of slab advance, since each portion
of the apparatus which advances the slab operates in timed
relation with the other portions thereof under all conditions
of operation.
Occasionally, it may be necassary to gain access to
the trimming and scoring mechanism 20 to clear a jam or correct
a malfunction and it is for this reason that the magazine is
arranged for pivotal movement to its inactive position. TO
assure the safety of the operator when the magazine is in its
inactive position, a micro-switch 100 is provided which is
activated by the magazine 14 in its active position. The micro-
switch 100 is electrically interlocked with the drive motor or
motors which operate the apparatus 10 and the wrapping machine 12.
The switch 100 functions to disable the drive for the apparatus
10 and the wrapping machine when the magazine is pivoted to its
inactive position. The micro-switch 100 is preferably connected
1055058
in circuit with a reset button or the like (not shown), remote
from the scoring and trimming mechanism, which must be actuated
to restore power to the various motor drives. However, power
cannot be restored to the drive unit by operating the reset
button unless the magazine is first lowered to its active
position to engage and activate the micro-switch 100. An
electrically interlocked guard enclosure is also provided to
cover the trimming and scoring mechanism 20, as shown in Fig~ 1,
for the further protection of the operator.
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