US2907152A - Method and machine for use in packaging of bacon or the like - Google Patents

Description

Oct'. 6, 1959 B. T. HENSGEN ETAL METHOD AND MACHINE FOR USE IN PACKAGING 0F BACON OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 20, 1956 INVENTORS BERNARD 7. HEN-56E ERNEST BOA/AMI OGDEN A. CL EMENS er a ATTOR/V Y Oct. 6, 1959 HENSGEN L 2,907,152

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR USE IN PACKAGING OF BACON OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 20, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IVE/V565 O/VAM/ 0605 A. CLEMENS 1N VEN TORS BY K g BER/YARD 7. E R/VES 7' 5 ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1959 B. T. HENSGEN ETAL 2,907,152

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR USE IN PACKAGING OF BACON OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 20, 1956 6 Sheets-$heet 3 J 0% BERNARD 7. lv/EMSGE/l znavssr aaA/AM/ OGDEN A; CLEMENS INVENTORS A fro/may Oct. 6, 1959 B. 'r. HENSGEN ETAL 2,9 5

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR usz IN PACKAGING OF BACON OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 20, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIIII l- BER/YARD 7. HEW-76E ERA/57 BOA AMI 0605 A. CZEMEl/S' IN VEN TORS BY- yfidjz Oct- 6, 195 B. T. HENSGEN ETAL 2,907,152

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR USE IN PACKAGING OF BACON OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 20, 1956 6 Sheets-$heet 5 BY mix/2a; A froRA/y O t 1 B. T. HENSGEN EI'AL 2,907,152

7 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR USE IN PACKAGING 0F BACON OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 20. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS 2/2 .9.9 J BERNARD 7: HEN$6IV ERNEST BOA/AMI Z06 0605 A CZEMEWS B) K 4'. "l

A rroe/vey of cellophane or the like.

present invention is to provide'a novel method and an NIETHOD AND, MACHINE FOR USE IN PACK- AGING OEBACONOR THE LIKE Bernard Heiisgen, .Ernest Bonami, and Ogden A. Clemens, Chicago, Ill., a'ssignors to Swift & Company, Chicago, 111;, a corporation of Illinois Application December 20,-1956,1seria1 No. 629,531

v21 Claims. or. 53-35 The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for placing units of product on a sheet of cardboard or' the like, and is more specifically directed to such'a method and apparatus for positioning shingled slices of meat such as bacon on the cardboard dividers used in packaging the meat.

Various types of bacon slicing and shingling machines are in use today. One type of such machine is illustrated and described in United States patent application No. 348,932, filed April 15, '1953, now Patent No. 2,898,722, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference. Many ofsuch devices, as illustrated by the one to which reference has been made, incorporate apparatus for dividing the shingled slices'into groups on a conveyor. It is the present practice in the industry to run these groups to packing tables, at which tables sit workers who put the groups onto dividers, weigh the amount of product on the divider, make such corrections as may be necessary in the amount of product as indicated by the weighing step, fold half of the divider down over the product on the remaining half of the divider and pass the product along for wrapping which is done in a sheet The principal object of the apparatus for taking the. shingled enclosing them in a divider.

The present invention is important because it enables the production of automatic bacon producing apparatus. Existing apparatus is already commercially available for slicing and shingling the bacon into groups on a conveyor. Automatic apparatus for check weighing a series of units is commercially available and machines are available for automatically wrapping dividers of sliced and shingled bacon. The present invention breaches the remaining gap in the automatic flow of bacon from the slicer to the wrapped package.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described wherein all the timing of groups of bacon and the movement of the parts of the apparatus originates with or is tied to the arrival of thennit of product, whether it be a group of slices of bacon or otherwise, at a given point along a conveyor. This is quite advan= tageous because it eliminates any necessity for having an exact spacing between the units of product (as long as the units are spaced sufficiently far apart to allow for'the positioning of a divider as hereinafter described) nor is it necessary that the speed of movement of the feed con- I veyor be accurately timed so as to time the movement of other parts with respect thereto. In the present invention a unit of product arriving at the end of the feed conveyor initiates a sequence of operations with the steps in the sequence being initiated by the occurrence of the preceding step or steps.

One of the advantages obtained .by the method and apparatus we have devised is speed of operation. This is importantfrom the standpoint of not having this particular step in the complete chain of operations acting are illustrated in Figure 7.

2,907,152 Patented Oct. 6, 1959 as a bottleneck for the complete chain. By moving the cards on which the product is positioned from opposite Figure 3 is a section taken at line 33 of Figure 2; I Figure 4 is a partial section taken at line 4-4 'of' I Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged side view of the means for withdrawing the dividers from the magazine and for pre folding the dividers;

Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the control apparatus; and

Figure 8 is. an isometric view of the shingled group of bacon positioned on a divider with the divider partially folded thereover.

The method of the present invention comprises taking the shingled groups of slices of meat and-moving the groups in spaced relationship along a particular path having a particular terminal point. The dividers on which the groups of bacon or meat are to be placed are positioned at the terminal point with one portion of the divider extending rearwardly from the terminal point,

that is in the reverse of the direction of movement of the groups, and below the path traveled by the groups. The other portion of the divider extends forwardly. of

this terminal point and preferably extends upwardly above the level of the path of travel of the groups. As

a group approaches the terminal pointand commences to move pastithat pointthe divider is moved in;the same direction at substantially the same rate of speed,{with; the group being deposited on thedivider as each moves along. The forward portion of the divider is then folded back over the group that has been deposited on the divider. As soon as one divider has moved away from the terminal point a new divideris positioned at that point. Preferably this is .doneby moving the divider. along a course transverse to the path of travel of the groups.

Illustrated in Figure 8 is a singled group 10 of slices of I bacon positioned on a divider 11. The portion 12 of the divider 11 was the portion that was positioned under the path of travel of the slices and rearwardly of the terminal point of that path. The portion 13 was positioned forwardly of that terminal point'and has been bent partially down over the group 10 in the illustration of Figure 8.

According to the usual practices the two portions 12 and 13 of the divider 11 will be brought together around their peripheries and then wrapped in cellophane or other suitable packaging material'to complete the product for shipment. An embodiment of themachine for carrying out this method has been illustrated in the drawings. This machine comprises the following general elements mounted on a frame generally 14: a feed-conveyor generally 15 for the groups of shingled slices, a card positioning means generally 16 for feeding the dividers into the position outlined in the foregoingdescription of the method, a l: take-away conveyor generally 17, powermeans generally 18 and a control means," the various elements of which partial section takenat line Power means The power means 18 includes a motor 21 having a sprocket 22 mounted on the output shaft thereof.

Sprocket 22 is connected by :achainz23 to a sprocket 24 on'a shaft 25. "Shaft 25 is mounted :in suitable bearings I Feed conveyor The feed-conveyor comprises a plurality'of endless belts 40 passingovera pair of pulleysj41 and 42. Preferably pulley 42 is of a relatively small radius so as to facilitatethe proper positioningof the groups of slices of product onto the dividers. Because of the relatively small radius of pulley 42 and in order to insure even traction of the groups of product moving along theconveyor, .belts 40 are made of a rubberor similar material. Pulley "42 is journaled in arms 43 (Figure 3) forminga part of frame 14. Pulley 41 is attached to a shaft 44 to which :is also attached a sprocket 45. Sprocket 45 is driven from the power means 18 by the chain 29; Shaft 44'-:is suitably mounted in bearings 46. A roller 47 mounted-in bearings48 has a plurality of slots (not shown) therein into which fit the lower runs of belts 40. Roller .47 serves as a belttightener and as a guide to hold the :belts. in alignment on pulleys 41 and 42.

Becauseof .it being more ditlicult to clean the rubber 1 belts thanit is to clean belts of other material, for

example stainless steel, these belts are made of relatively short length. I The groups of slices are brought to the feed conveyor 15 by another conveyor generally 50 Consisting of a plurality of stainless steel belts51 carried on roller 41, roller 52-and an intermediate supporting roller 53. Roller 52 is mounted on axle 54 journaled in bearings '55. Roller 53-has axles 56 rotatably supported in brackets 57. The drive'for belts 51 comes frompulley 41through sprocket and chain 29. Preferably roller 52 is grooved so as to form guides for the belts -51. A

pair of arms .59 pivotally connected to frame 14 rotatably support a roller 60 about which the belts 51 pass and which serves as a tightener for the belts.

Take-away conveyor The take-away conveyor 17 includes a roller 62' carried .on..a plurality of pulleys 68 rotatably mounted onashaft 69 (Figure 5). Shaft 69 is carried-on a pivotable. subframe formed by a pair: of arms 70- attached to shaft 71 (Figures 1, 3 and 5).. Shaft 71is mounted in bearings ,72. A pairof cross bars '73 hold arms -70 rigid.- 7 An L-shaped actuating member .74 has anend of one leg- 75 thereofattached to shaft 71, while the otherw.leg 76 extends into and forms an armature tforza solenoid 77. a A pair :ofstops 78 and; 79 on leg 76 serve to-limit the motion=-of the roller. 68 as the fI-amCLiS pivoted withthe' energizing and de-energizing of solenoid 77. While notactually a part-.of the.take-awaywonveyor,

immediately thereabove are a pair-ofnrollers 82eand' 83i- 5 whose axles 84-and 85, respectively, are ijournaled :inix.

brackets'86 and 87, respectively; As is apparent, particularly in Figure 5, roller 83,-is at -a lesser elevation; than is roller. 82. The two. rollers serve to complete-the-fold.

ing of the." upper .portion' 13 of the divider ll down-over f the"g'roup 10 ofislices 'as is hereinafter described...

Cordv positioning means; The card positioning means 16 comprises *a transfer table 90, a pair of magazines 91 and 92, one of which is at each side of the machine, and a pair of feeding means 93 and 94, one at each side of'the machine, for removing a divider at a time from the magazines and positioning the dividers on the transfer table. Table includes a top plate 96 having a cutout 9.7.and 98 adjacent each end thereof. The shape of each cutout is to fit around the pulleys 68 andsabout an .extendingfportion, of the feeding means 93 and94. Plate-96 is attached .to an inverted channel 99 (Figures 4 and 5). 100 rotatably attached .to channel 99 travel in;slots"101 milled in angles 102 forming a part .of frame.14.-' A de pending arm 104 secured to channel 99 is attached to the piston rod 105' of an air cylinder 106 Air cylinder 106 is suitably secured to frame 14.

Secured to channel 99 are a pair of vacuum manifolds 107 and108 each with a hollow interior. The hollow interior ,of manifold 107 communicates with three vacuum heads 109 and that of manifold 108 communicates with three vacuum" heads 110. Each ofthe' group. of

three vacuum- heads 109 and 110, respectively, form'a divider engaging meansv on the transfer table 90. A pipe. 111 to which is connected a hose 112 communicates with" the hollow interior of vacuum head 107. A corresponding pipe 113 and hose 114 communicates with vacuumv manifold 108.

A pair of pins v115 and 116 project from theiside of table 90 to actuate a pair of microswitches of the control. means as hereinafter described.

The two magazines 91 and, 92 are duplicates as are the two feeding means 93 and 94,except for their being on.- opposite sides ofthe. machine. Thefeeding means.94 and magazine 92 on the front side of the machine, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, will be described and to the extent that reference. is made to the corresponding parts of the. magazine 91 andfeeding'means 93 onthe back side of the. machine, the same numbers will be applied to the parts except for the use of a prime after the numbers.

Magazine 92 is mounted on an upstanding portion of the frame 14 and comprises a holder 120 for the stackof dividers-11. The bottom of the holder is open except for small projecting lips (not shown) preferably only on two sides to support the dividers in the magazine.

Feeding means 94 comprises a cross shaped vacuum manifold 122 secured to the upper end of a piston rod 123 of an air cylinder 124 (see Figures 1, 2 and 3). A rod guide125 passing through a guide bearing 126 on frame 14 is also secured-to manifold 122 to prevent any rotation of the manifold yet to permit its vertical movement. Communicating with the hollow. interior of vacuum manifold are threevacuum cups127 and a vacuurn line 128. A vacuum hose 129 connects to pipe 128.

A bracket 131 forming a part of frame 14 pivotally supports a pair of cam plates 132. Attached to the cam plates are divider folding plates 133. A pin 134 projecting from cam plates 132 is used as a mounting for one end P of spring 135. On each side of the machine, elements 131 through 135 are in duplicate, with each of the duplicate pieces being spaced a short distance apart so that the base of vacuum manifold 122 will pass therebetween (see particularly Figure 1). On each side of the vacuum mania fold 122 is a projecting pin 136 which-moves cam plates 132 between the full line and dotted line positions shown in Figure 6.

A cross member 139 is securedto arms 43 and carries a pair of guides 140. A crossguide 141 which also serves fas a preliminary folderis mounted on frame 14 justbeyond (in the direction of movementof .the product)- cross member 139. 7

Control means The various units of the'control means are'illustrated schematically in association .with other parts of the'ma-' chine in Figure 7. The. electrical control apparatusis connected to a suitable source of electrical supplythrough Pairs of rollers a main switch 145 and'apair of fuses 14 6. From'these fusesa re two main power lines 147 and 148, respectively.

The operation of the air cylinder 106 for the transfer table 90 is controlled by an electrically actuated four-way valve 150 having a pair of actuating solenoids 151 and 152. An air supply pipe 153 from the valve 150 connects to a suitable source of air pressure through a strainer I 154, a pressure regulating valve 155 and a lubricator 156 (Figure 2), Pipe 157 is an air exhaust. Pipes 158 and 159 connect valve 150 with cylinder 106.

One side of each ofsolenoids 151 and 152 is connected to line'147 by wires 162 and 163, respectively, with the other side of the two'solenoids being connected to a twoposition stepping switch generally 164 which is actuated by the movement of arms 70 through a momentary contact switch 165 (positioned as seen in Figure 5). Various forms, ofstepping switches 164 might be employed. As a matterof fact, the electrical actuation through switch 165 could well be replaced by a mechanical movement asis well-known in the art. In any event the stepping relay'164 illustrated comprises a pair of solenoids 166- and 167 having a common armature 168 constructed to close either switch 169 or switch 170. One side of each of switches 169 and 170 is connected to line 148 through a. wire 171. The opposite side of switch 170 is connected to solenoid 151 and to solenoid-166 by a wire 172. Similarly, the opposite side of switch 169 is connected to sole noid 152 and to solenoid 167 by a wire 173. The oppo-' relay 178. The time delay relay may be of any wellknown type, preferably one providing adjustable periods of time delay such as for example an Agastat time delay relay type 1. Such a relay has a switch 179 which is closed immediately upon the energizing of the relay and which opens a predetermined time after the relay was energized no matter what happens in the energizing circuit in the meantime. One of contacts 180 is connected to line 147 by a wire'181 and the other contact 180 is connected by a wire 182 to a snap-action switch 183. The other side of snap-action switch 183 is connected to line 148 by a wire 184. One side of switch 179 is connected to line 148 by a wire 185. t

Referring again to Figures 2, 3, and 5, switch 183 is mounted on cross bar 139. Also mounted on cross member 139 are a pair of supports .189 onwhich a flapper 190 is pivotally supported by a pin 191. Secured to flapper 190 is a finger 192 having a roller 193 rotatably mounted on the end thereof. Roller 193 contacts the actuating member 194 of switch 183. i

The air cylinders 124 and 124' are actuated by a fourway air valve 197 operated by a pair of solenoids 198 and 199. A pipe 200 connects valve 197 to a suitable source of air pressure through a strainer 201, a pressure regulating valve 202 and-a lubricator 203 (Figure 2). Pipe 204'is the valve exhaust. The two air cylinders 124 and 124' operate in the'reverse of each other and therefore one side of'four-way valve 197'is connected by a pipe 205 to the upper end of cylinder 124' and the lower end of cylinder 124. Similarly, a pipe 206 connects the lower end of cylinder 124' and the upper end of cylinder 124 to-four-way valve 197 (see also Figures 2 and 3').

Four-way air valve 197 is actuated in synchronism with a four-way vacuum valve 208 having a pair of operating solenoids 209 and 210. As will be seen, one side of each of solenoids 198, 199, 209 and 210 is connected to line 148 by wires 211 through 214, respectively. The opposite side of solenoids 198a'nd 210 are connected together andto a snap-action switch 215 bya wire 216. Similarly, the opposite sides of the two solenoids 199 and 209 are connected together and tea snap-action switch 217 by a wire 218. Switch 215 is mounted on frame 14 in a position to be contacted'by pin 116 on table (see Figure l) and switch 217 is similarly mounted to be contacted by pin 115. The opposite sides of the two switches 215 and 217 are con- I nected together by a wire 219 which leads to line 147. Pipe 111 and hose 112 connected to vacuum heads 109 also communicate with valve 208 through a pipe 223. Similarly, vacuum heads 11 0, pipe 113 and hose 114 are connected to valve 208 by a pipe 224. Pipe' 225 connects valve 208 with a suitable source of vacuum such as vacuum pump 226. Pipe 227 is an exhaust pipe.

The application of the vacuum to vacuum heads 127 and 127 is determined by a four-way vacuum valve 230 having operating solenoids 231 and 232 and by snap- action switches 233 and 234. As will be seen in Figures 2 and 3, switches 233 and 234 are positioned to be actuated by manifolds 122 and 122 respectively, as the two manifolds reach the lower end of their vertical stroke.

side of switch 233 is connected to. solenoid 232 by a wire 236. Similarly the opposite side of switch 234 is connected to solenoid 231 by a wire 237. Solenoids 231' and 232 are connected to line 147 by wires 238 and 239, respectively. Valve 230 communicates with vacuum pump 226 through a pipe 240. Pipe 241 is exhaust pipe. Vacuum hose 129 connects to valve 230 by a pipe 242. Similarly hose 129' connects to valve 230 through a pipe 243.

Operation In commencing the operation of. the machine the switch will be closed to energize the control system, vacuum pump 226 will be started, and pipes 153 and 200 will be connected to a suitable source of air pressure'to operate the air cylinders. The groups of shingled, slices of bacon will move into the card positioner'along feed conveyor 15 in the'direction indicated by arrow 250. Assume that a divider 11 has been positioned in front of the feed conveyor as shown in Figure 5 (it will be apparent from the following description that this can be done to commence the operations either by manually positioning a card at that point or manually actuating switch 143 several times). Further assume that the transfer table 90 is in the position illustrated in Figure 1.

When the table is in this position the piston rod 123 of As a group of slices 10 reach the end of the feed conveyor 15, the slices push flapper 190 to actuate switch 1 83 which energizes relay 178 and closes switch 179. Solenoid 77 is energized through the circuit from line 148, wire 185, switch 179, wire 177, solenoid 77, and

wire 176 to line 147. The solenoid 77 pulse armature 76 down pivoting arms 70 in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 71 to raise pulleys68. The pulleys and their associated belts 66 come up withinthe cutout 97 in transfer table 90 to contact the bottom surface of the divider and commence moving the divider in the same direction that the bacon was moving. The speed of movement of the divider should be substantiallyidentical with the speed of movement of the group of slices 10 so that the bacon is deposited evenly on the divider.

At the end of the time delay period after relay 178 was energized, switch 179 of that relay opens. This 70 and the parts associated therewith lower these arms to actuate switch 165. Switch is a momentary con 75 tact switch. During this momentary contact a circuit J One side of each of the switches 233 and 234- is connected to line 148 by a wire 235. The opposite I solenoid-167;?switch.169 ahd wire 171 to line 148;This

energiZes-.;solenoid 147-to movearmature 168- to the right "in :Figure7 to open switch 169and' close switch 1 170.? The closing-iof switch 170 creates a circuit: from line1-14'l-through.,, solenoiddSL-of valve 150 by'means of.-wires 172, switch4170, and wire 171 to line 14$. Solenoid 151rreverses-tthe position of valve 150 to apply the-air pressuresto the other end of cylinder 106.: The airzhcylirider 106 :thereupon moves table 90 to the opposite? end :of its :strokef where. it comes to rest. As it moves .to the Oih1:'6l'ld of its stroke it carries with it a new dividertll from magazine 91' which is held on table- 90by vacuum cups 109. The unoccupied end of table 90.from which-the divider has been removed as just describedmoves under. magazine 92.

The.:movement of table 90 bringsvpin 115 into contact with switch217iand closes the switch to produce a circuit: from iline "147 '5 through .solenoid- 209: of valve 268 andathroughfsolenoid; 199 'of valve 197; The circuit throughnsolenoid 209', i.e. wire'219, switch 217, wire 218;fsolenoid 209 vand wire 213, repositions valve 208 to cutofi the vacuum to vacuum cups 109 through pipe'223 audio-exhaust this'. pipetto atmosphere. At the same time a vacuum'is applied to cups 110 through pipe 224. The release of .the vacuum on vacuum cups 109 permits the divider that is now'positioned at the end of feed conveyor 15 "to the-moved away with the next subsequent group of Jslices proceeding; along the feed conveyor. The application of vacuum to cups. 110 puts these cups in a position to grasp a divider as it is brought from magazine 92 as hereinafter described.

The energizing of solenoid 199 (circuit from line 147 through wire 219, switch 217, wire 218, solenoid 199 and wire 212- to line 148)- repositi0ns valve 197 so that air under pressure'is now applied 'through pipe 206 to the upper end of cylinder 124 and'to the lower end'of cylinder 124 The vacuum cups 127 on manifold 122 have previnew=divider when it is movedatothemwThe'repositionously-graspe'd the bottom of a divider in magazine 92. As

themanifold 122-rnoves downwardly with the divider 11,

pin 136 strikes the upper surface of cam plates 132 pivot-- ingcamplates 132 clockwise as shown in Figure 6. The

movement of the-cam plates and the folding plates 133 from-the full lineto the dotted line position shown in Figure-6 folds the divider into two portions. Preferably the divider ll has'be'en scored along a lineas indicated at 251 in-Figure -6 so as to facilitate the folding ofthe divider.-- As -themanifold -122 reaches its lower position the-divider 11 thereon is grasped by vacuum cups110 on transfer table 90.

coinciding with the movement of manifold 122 downwardly, manifold 122" moves upwardly. Again referring to Figure 6, the-upward movement of manifold 122 brings pins'136' into contactwith the lower right-hand surface ofcamplates 132 whereupon these cam plates again pivot'in a clockwise'direction to permit the pins 136 to pass by. When the manifold 122' reachesthe upper end of it's'stroke'the vacuum-cups127' are in contact with the lowermostdivider in magazine 91;

As manifold 122 reaches the bottom end of its stroke it actuates' switch 233'to complete a circuit from line 147 through wire 239, s'olenoid 232,-wire 236, switch 233, and wire 23S to'line 148; Solenoid 232 being energized repositionsfou'r-way valve 230 to cut off thevacuum to manifol'd122 and'exhaust that manifold to air, thereby releasing the divider- 11 that had been brought into contact withvacuum cups 110 and grasped thereby.

At the same timevalve 230applied a vacuum to manifoldi122"through pipe- 243so that. vacuum cups 127" which are in contact with the bottom divider in maganextactua'ted by a group of slices contacting flapper- 190, s0len'oid"77"'is energized." Whenit is energized :deposited on ithe, divider,- the take-away conveyorcomes down to actuate switch-175 and-Jereatea momentaryv circuit through solenoid 166uof1stepping-switch 164 to again; openi'switchi170 and closeeswitch 169.:thereofa.

The repositioning of the two switches :169:-.and '170 en-z-rergizes solenoid 152.: and ale-energizes: solenoid #151. of:

valve ISO-to apply air pressure-to ,the opposite endfof air cylinder 106' andsmovetransfer :tables to the..op-, posite' end of .itsastroket a As it moves to .the opposite. end of :its 0 stroke 2 the vacuum. cups. carry 3 the divider (which has just; been withdrawn from magazine W92 by1 manifold 122) to the proper position under feed... conveyor 15.- In doing so, usually the upper portion. 13 of the divider whichwas-bent pvenas :described in :connection with-Figure 1'6, zhasreturnedto a posi-rtion'more -upright=than-that shown in the dotted .line-H.

position 'Figurea. However, if the. upper portion of. the divider remainsbent too far it will be straightened. upnby guides 140. Any excessive tbending oftheup. rightrportionv of the divider in the' opposite direction willbe correctedgbyguide 14111- I I With the repositioning rotatable 90, .switch. :217; is opened and; 1 switch 215: is closed rtoproduce .an 6186:. a tricalcircuit' through'the solenoids 210and .198 of valves 208 I and 1197; respectively; Energizing solenoid 210 ;re- 1 positionsavalve :208 to -applyna vacuum tovacuumcups L 109 and release the vacuum from. vacuummups 110; Thus the divider t-that .has been moved-under. the I feed conveyorrls is "released toreceiVe product while the vacuum :cru smnder-maga ine 9l areszready to grasp;a

ing .of valve-197 by energizing- SOIEIYOid-v198 -'applies,t-.- air pressure throughpipe .2051 toraise manifold; 1-22. and I applies:= pressure'.to: cylinder". 124'-. to lower nianifoldn. 12,2.vv As :m'anifold :122' -comesdown it draws with;

it theizbottomadivider in magazine 91-which hadebeen grasped by vacuum: cups -127'-. The divideris bent by. thevfoldin'g 'plates- 133; as previously described with re-- spect to ;Figure..6. Upon reaching thedowerendof-its. 1 stroke manifold-.122; actuates'switch 234 to produce-a 1' circuit -through;'sclenoid' 231. of-valve-230 resulting-Lin the repositioning of valve-230. Valve ;230"nowre-=, leases :the vacuum :from' vacuumucups :127 and applies-v. vacuum to cups 127.

From thei foregoing .description it will -beapparent that :themcycle: 10f :operations 'is initiated: by -:the =move-- ment of a group of slices 10.-along feedingaconveyon 15;-.thus, the problems of timing of the machine ,with I respect :to the movement vof the. groups of-slices on the-=; feed. conveyor are taken care. of. The, only require ment is that the groups .of slices-be suificientlyfar apart on'the feed conveyor "15 so thata new divider 11 may be movedqinto. position by transfer table 90*after;thepreceding divider is :movedvout of the way. Theactuations-rof gthe otherucomponents are all tied in sequence-1 totheinitial actuationof switch 183 by flapper190:t;;

As thedividerslhwith' thegroups ofslices 10there-3 on move :away from therfeed conveyor. 15-.by the urg-,; ing of the take-awaylconveyor 17, the divides, is first; pushed down by" bar 141 nwith the folding of :the' upper portion 13. of divider 11.. beingxcompleted ,by rollers 82i..

The foregoing .detailed.t description vis only for clear-1 ness of understanding and for the purpose of complying with 35 U.S.C. 112, and-we do-not vdesire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and;;;.

described for obvious modificationswill occur-to a per-i, son skilled in thenart. .For example, the-time delay=of relay 178'hasbeenincorporated to insurewthat one :card. positioned at the :end offeed: conveyor :15. is movedout ;of theeway byitake-taway conveyor :17 before:;a newii a a 9 j card is moved into position by card positioning means 16. The same result could be achieved by the use of a card sensing means, such as a switch, along take-away conveyor 17 to determine when the card had been moved clear of table 90.

We claim:

1. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said device comprising a conveyor having a conveying surface for moving individual units of product along a path'in a given direction to a predetermined point, card positioning means to position one card at a time below said surface at said point, a second conveyor at said point normally ineffective to move said one card from said point, and means connected to said second conveyor to render said second conveyor eifective to move said one card from said point in response to a unit of product reaching a given point along said path and connected to said positioning means to move an additional card to said point.

2. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said device comprising a conveyor having 'a'conveying surface for moving individual units of product along a path in a given direction to a predetermined point, card positioning means to position one card at a time below said surface at said point, a second conveyor at said point and movable between a firstposition at which said second conveyor will not engage said one card and a second position at which it will engage said one card, and means i 7 connected to said second'conveyor to move it from .said first to said second position-in response to a ,unitof productreaching a given point along said'path; 7

3. A device for placing product on cards or, the like, said device comprising a conveyor having a conveying surface forv moving individual units of product along a path in a given direction to .a predetermined point, card positioning means to position one card at a time below said surface at said point, a second conveyor at said point and movable between a first position at which said second conveyor will not engage said one card and a.

second position at which it will engage-said one card, and means connected to said second conveyor to move it from said first to said second position when a unit ofproduct reaches said point and to move it from said 7 second, position to said firstv position a predetermined. length of time after said unit of product reaches said point: e

4. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said device comprising a conveyor having a conveying surface for moving individual units of product along a path in a given direction to a predetermined point, card positioning means to position one card at atime below said surface at said point by moving cards alternately from opposite sides of said point and positioning them at said point after the card previously positioned at said point has been removed,'a second conveyor at said point normally ineffective to move said one card from said point, and means connected to said second conveyor to render said second conveyor effective to move said one card from saidpoint in response to a unit of product reaching a given point along said path and connected to said positioning means subsequently to move an additional card'to said point.

5. A device for placing product on cards or the like,

- said device comprising a conveyor having a conveying surface for moving individual units of product along a path in a given direction to a predetermined point, a transfer table movable between a first position below said surface at said point and the opposite sides of said conveyor, magazine means for said cards, means to remove a card from the magazine means and to place it on the table when the table is moved to each side of a.

said conveyor, a second'conveyor at said point, and con-i trol, means.connected to said second conveyor and to unit of product reaching 'a given point along said path Y I conveyor to a second position at which said one engagingmeans is at the opposite side of said conveyor with the other engaging means below said surface at said point, card magazine means, means to remove a card from said magazine means and move the card to the engaging means projecting from a side of said conveyor, a' second conveyor at said point, and control means connected to said second conveyor and to said table to cause said second conveyor to engage a card on said table at said point in response to a unit of product reaching a given point along said path and to move said table from its existing position to the other of its two positions.

'7. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said 'device comprising a conveyor having a conveying surface for moving individual units of product along a path in a given direction to a predetermined point, a transfer table having two spaced card engaging means, said table being movable from aposition at which one of saidengaging means is below said surface at said point with the other engaging means at a side of said conveyor to a second position at which said one engaging means is at the opposite side of said conveyor with the other engaging means below said surface at said point, a card magazine at each side of said table, feeding means at each side of said table to move a card from the magazine at each side to the engaging means at that side, a second conveyor at said point, and control means connected to said second conveyor and to said table to cause said second conveyor to engage a card at said point in response to a unit of product reaching a given point along said' surface for moving individual units of product along a path in a given direction to a predetermined point, a transfer table movable between a first position below said surface at said point and the opposite sides of said conveyor, magazine means for said cards, means to remove a card from the magazine means and to place it on the table when the table is moved to each side of said conveyor, a second conveyor at said point andmovable between a first position at which said second conveyor will not engage said onecard and a second position at which it will engage said one card, and control means connected to said second conveyor and to said table to 9. A device for placing product on cards or the like, saiddevice comprising a conveyor having a conveying surface for moving individual units of product along a path in a given direction to a predetermined point,

a transfer table having two spaced card engaging means,

said table being movable from a position at which one of said engaging means is below said surface at said point with the-other engaging means at a side ofsaidconveyor to-a second position-at which said one engaging means.

is =at 1the opposite, side of said conveyor with the 7 other engaging means below said surface at said point, card magazine'-means,-means tor remove a card "from said magazine means and move the card to the engaging means projecting froma side of said conveyor, a second conveyor at said point having a conveying surface movable between a firstposition at which said surface is below a card on.

saidtablewith said surface free of said card to a second,- higher position at which said surface ofsaid second conveyor; engages said card, and controlmeans connected to said'second conveyortand to said table to raise said surface :of said. second conveyor from said first to said positioning-means to place a card, at least, partially folded into two portions, with'one of said portions below Saidsurface with the fold immediatelyadjacent said point and saidone portion extending in the reverse of said direction from .said fold and with the other portion extending upwardly from said fold across the end of said surface, a secondconveyor at said point normally ineffective to movesaid one card from ,saidpoint, and means connected to said second conveyor to render said second conveyor effective to move said-one card from said'point in response 'to a unitof product reaching a given point along-said path and connectedto said positioning means tomove anadditional card to said point.

11. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said device comprising a first conveyor having a conveying=surface ending-at a given point for movingunits of productin a. given direction across said point,-a magazine for holdinggthe cards, means to remove one card at a tim'ezfrom said magazine andto fold saidonecard into;

two portions, cardpositioning means to place said folded one card with .one of said portions below said surface with :the :fold: immediately adjacent saidpoint and said onexportionextending in the reverse of said direction. from said fold and "with theother-portion extending.up-

wardly from said fold across the: end of said surface, a

second conveyor at said point. normallytinefiectiveto move said one card from said point, andmeans connected tosaid second conveyor to render said second conveyor effective-to move said one card from said point in response to a unit of product reaching a given point along said path'and connected to said positioning means to move an additional card to said point.

12. A device for placing product on cards or the-like,

said device comprising a first conveyor having a conveying surface ending at a given pointfor-movingunits' of -productin a given direction acrosssaid point,- a

transfer" table movablebetweena first position below' said s'urface at said point and the opposite sides of "said conveyor,- magazine-meansto holdthe fiat cards, means to-remove one card at-a time-from magazine means and -tofold-said onecard into two'portions and to place 7 it on-the-tablewhen the table-is moved to each side of saidconveyorwith-thecard' in a position such that when the portion of-the table carrying said one-card is movedto said first position said card will be positioned with":

One -of-said -portions---below-said surface with the-fold immediately adjacent said pointandsaid one portiorr' extending-in the reverse of said directionfrom said fold and with the other portion extending upwardly fromsaid foldacrossthe; end of saidsurfaceya second conveyor at saidpoint, and'control means connected to said second conveyor: and-to said table to cause said'second conveyon to engage: a card: on said- .table at said first position :in

12., response to taunitr, of product reaching a given point alonghsaidfpath and-to move said table to place another, card at said first position.

13. I-Adevice, forflplacing shingled groups of slices of ,meat onto a cardboard divider or the like, said device comprising an endless conveyor mounted on a plurality of pulleys forming a generally horizontal run terminating at one of said pulleys toward which the groups move alongrsaid run in a given first direction, a transfer table",

positioned belowsaid one pulley and having divider engaging means to hold a divider on said table at two places on-said table spaced across said table in a direction transverse to said' run, said table being mounted for movementrfrom a first position at which one place is 7 below said run with the other place at a side of said run to'a second position at which said one place is at the'opposite side of said run and said other place is below said run, divider feeding means to place a divider on each place when each place is at a sideof said conveyor witha portion of said card extending in the first direction a distance beyond the extent of said run in said direction whereby as said divider is moved'under said run vsaid portion oftsaid dividerwill be beyond said one pulley in said direction, and means to withdraw the divider from theplace positioned under said run as a group is deposited-thereon from said conveyor.

14. A device for placingshingled groups of slices of meat onto a'cardboard divider or the like, saiddevice comprising an endless conveyor mountedon a plurality ofpulleys forming agenerally. horizontal run terminating,-

at one of said pulleystoward which the groups move along said runin a given first direction, a transfer table positionedbelow said one pulley and having divider engaging means to hold a divider on said table at two places on said table spaced across said table in a direction trans-W verse to said run, said table being'mounted for movement 1 from a first position at which one place is below said run, with, the otherplace at a side of said run to asecond,

position, at which said one place is at the opposite side of said runand said other place is below said run, maga-,

zine meanstto hold. said dividers, divider feeding means to withdraw a divider from saidmagazine means, bend 1: the'divider into two portions, and place the divider on E each place when eachplace is at a side of said conveyor with one of said. portions being generally horizontal and, the other of said portions extending upwardly in a position such that when that .placelis moved under said run said other portion will be beyond said one pulley .in said direction, andlmeans to withdraw the divider from the place .a

positionedundersaid run as a group is deposited thereon from-said conveyor.

.15. A device for placing shingled groupsof slicesfl of meat onto. a cardboard divider or thelike, said device comprising an'endless conveyor mounted on a plurality v of pulleys forming a generally horizontalrun terminating r,

at one of said pulleys toward which the groups move along said run inta given first direction at .a given rate. of speed, a transfer table positioned below said one pulley and having divider engaging means to hold a divider on said table at two placeson said table spaced acrosssaid table in a direction transverse to said run, said table being mounted for movement from a first position at which one placeiis below said run. with the other place ata side of said run to a second position at which said one place is atthe opposite side. of said run and saidother place. is below said run, magazine means to hold said dividers dividcri feeding means to withdraw a divider fromsaid magazine means, bend the divider into two portions, and

place the divider on each place when eachplace is .at a side;,of said-conveyor with; one ofsaid portions being;

generally horizontal and the'other of said :portions extendingupwardly in a position such-thatwhenthatplace' is moved underlsaid run said otherportion-will be beyondvsaidone pulley in said. :direction,'.a second endless conveyorahavinga generally horizontal run along which:

r tutdividers may be moved in said first direction at substantially said rate of speed with the initial portion of said run being below the location of a divider on said table when said one portion of said divider is under said first mentioned run, said second conveyor being movable from a position at which the run thereof is out of contact with said one portion of a divider so positioned to a second position at which the run thereof is in contact with said one portion of a divider so positioned, and means to move said second conveyor from said first to said second position in response to a group reaching a given point along the first conveyor.

16. The method of placing shingled groups of slices of meat into a cardboard divider including the steps of moving spaced groups in a given direction at a given rate of speed toward a given point along a path, sequentially positioning a divider at said point with a portion of the divider so positioned being below said path and extending in the reverse of said direction from said point and another portion of said divider inclined at least slightly upwardly with respect to said first portion and extending beyond said point in said direction, moving said divider so positioned in said direction after said group reaches said point at substantially the same rate of speed as said given rate, positioning each succeeding divider at said point upon the removal of the preceding divider so positioned and before the succeeding group reaches said point, and folding said other portion of each divider over the top of the group on said each divider.

17. The method of placing shingled groups of slices of meat into a cardboard divider including the steps of moving spaced groups in a given direction at a given rate of speed toward a given point along a path, bending said dividers into two portions, sequentially positioning a bent divider at said point with a portion of the divider so positioned being below said path and extending in the reverse of said direction from said point and the other portion of said divider extending beyond said point in an upwardly direction, moving said divider so positioned in said direction after said group reaches said point at substantially the same rate of speed as said given rate, positioning the succeeding divider at said point upon the removal of the preceding divider so positioned and before the succeeding group reaches said point, and folding said other portion of each divider over the top of the group on said each divider.

18. The method of placing shingled groups of slices of meat into a cardboard divider including the steps of moving spaced groups in a given direction at a given rate of speed toward a given point along a path, bending said dividers into two portions, sequentially moving dividers from opposite sides of said path with one portion of said divider below said path and the other portion of said divider extending upwardly above the level of said path beyond said point in said direction after the removal of the preceding divider from the next foilowing described position, and sequentially positioning each divider moved from opposite sides of said path at said point with a portion of the divider so positioned being below said path and extending in the reverse of said direction from said point and the other portion of said divider extending beyond said point in an upwardly direction, moving said divider so positioned in said direction after said group reaches said point at substantially the same rate of speed as said given rate.

19. The method of enfolding a shingled group of slices of meat in a sheet of divider material including the steps of moving spaced groups in a given direction at a given rate of speed toward a given point along a path, sequentially moving successive sheets of divider material from opposite sides of said path to beneath said point with a first portion of each sheet below said path and a second portion of said sheet extending generally upwardly with respect to said first portion and forwardly of said point in said direction, moving said divider in said direction as a group passes said point at substantially the same rate of speed as said given rate whereby the shingled group is received upon said first portion of the sheet, and folding the second portion of said sheet over the top of the group while advancing said sheet.

20. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said device comprising a first conveyor having a conveyor surface ending at a given point for moving units of product in a given direction across said point, card positioning means to place a card, at least partially folded into two portions, with one of said portions below said surface with the fold immediately adjacent said point and said one portion extending in the reverse of said direction from said fold and with the other portion extending upwardly from said fold across the end of said surface, a second conveyor at said point normally ineffective to move said one card from said point, means connected to said second conveyor to render said second conveyor effective to move said one card from said point in response to a unit of product reaching a given point along said path and connected to said positioning means to move an additional card to said point, and bending means spaced from said point in said direction along said second conveyor to fold said other portion of the card over said product.

21. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said device comprising a first conveyor having a conveyor surface ending at a given point for moving units of product in a given direction across said point, a transfer table movable between a first position below said surface at said point and the opposite sides of said conveyor, magazine means to hold the flat cards, means to remove one card at a time from magazine means and to fold said one card into two portions and to place it on the table when the table is moved to each side of said conveyor with the card in a position such that when the portion of the table carrying said one card is moved to said first position said card will be positioned to one of said portions below said surface with the fold immediately adjacent said point and said one portion extending in the reverse of said direction from said fold with the other portion extending upwardly from said fold across the end of said surface, a second conveyor at said point, control means connected to said second conveyor and to said table to cause said second conveyor to engage a card on said table at said first position in response to a unit of product reaching a given point along said path and to move said table to place another card at said first position, and bending means along said second conveyor beyond said table in said direction to fold said other portion of the card over the product.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,540,945 Hart Feb. 6, 1951

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