US2639566A - Method of packaging hangered garments - Google Patents

Description

y 1953 c. B. BLESSING 2,639,566

METHOD OF PACKAGING HANGERED GARMENTS Filed July 5, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I I I I l I I I I l CHARLES e. aLEssm's Inventor 6*; A/ W Altar y 1953 c. B. BYLESSING 2,639,566

METHOD OF PACKAGING HANGERED GARMENTS Filed July 5, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 CHARLES B. BLESSIHG May 26; I953 c. B. BLESSING METHOD OF PACKAGING HANGERED GARMENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 5, 1949 .lllll' -IIIII :l llxllalrnilililluaixilis:linal 1G. 6 CHARLES B. BLESSING m for Atfarhoy Filed July 5, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 y 17953 c. B. BLESSING 2,639,566

METHOD OF PACKAGING HANGERED GARMENTS 7 y 1953 c. B. BLESSING 2,639,566

METHOD OF PACKAGING HANGERED GARMENTS Filed July 5, 1949 5 sheets sheet 5 INV EN TOR. Char/es Z3. B/css/ng ATTORNEY Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF PACKAGING HANGERED GARMENTS California Original application May 10, 1949, Serial No.

1949, Serial No. 103,027

1 Claim.

This application contains divisional subject matter taken from application Serial No. 352,897, filed August 16, 1940, now abandoned, Serial No. 654,400, filed March 14, 1946, now abandoned, and Serial No. 92,259, filed May 10, 1949, and which is now Patent No. 2,479,552, granted August 23, 1949.

This invention relates to the formation of a. bag or envelope about an article; the invention will be particularly described as it has been applied to the packaging of garments, but it is broadly applicable to the packaging of any other suitable item.

It has been usual heretofore to package a cleaned garment in a previously formed bag. This operation is slow and expensive, requiring a preformed stock of bags of different lengths which must be selected to fit the length of the garment to be protected. In accordance with the present invention, a roll of flat tubular stock is provided from which a suitable length is formed as needed into a bag which is positioned about the garment to be packaged, the flat tubular stock being cut to provide opposite out side portions of the tubular stock and to leave uncut a central portion, each out side portion being folded and fastened, leaving the central portion intact and providing a connection with the remainder of the tubular stock so that this can be drawn into place preparatory to the packaging of another item. Afterwards, the central portion is severed and the packaged item removed.

It is in general the broad object of the present invention to provide a novel method for the formation of an envelope for a garment or the like from tubular stock.

The invention includes other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, Will appear hereinafter wherein the present preferred form of practicing the method of this invention is disclosed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a machine which can be employed to practise the invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the machine shown in Figure 1, illustrating the machine in further detail.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view partly in section of one embodiment of a cutting mechanism and a folding and a stapling mechanism actuator.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of the cutting and stapling mechanism along lines 4- l in Figures 3 and 6.

Figure 4a. is a section at line 4a4a. of Figure 4.

Figure 5 is a detail of the stapling machine in operated position. r

Divided and this application July 5,

Figure 5a is a fragmentary view of the stapling mechanism in retracted position, the folding mechanism also being shown in retracted position.

Figure 6 is a side elevation showing a modified embodiment of the clothes hanger support and fold line control.

Figures 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e show parts of the collapsible hanger support of Figure 6.

Figure 7 illustrates a modified mechanism for feeding paper, cutting, holding the center for folding, and actuating the folding and stapling mechanism.

Figures 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d show a further modification of the mechanism for folding and fastening a cover about a supported garment.

Figure 9 illustrates another form of collapsible garment hanger support.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a complete form of the machine for practisin this invention.

Figures 11 and 12 are steps in the method utilized for formation of a bag or envelope while Figure 13 illustrates a completed envelope.

The invention is conveniently practised utilizing a machine such as that shown in Figures 1 and 2 wherein the garment it on hanger I2 is hooked on a recess i l in the upper end of an inclined post it. The garment hangs to a point [8 opposite a point between graduations 3 and 4. A flat tube of paper 28, made up of two sheets 30! and 302, is drawn from a roll of tubular paper stock 22 and over an upper guide roll 24 out through slot 25 onto the face 26 of frame 28 so that its lower open end 2| stops at a point between graduations 3' and 4, and envelopes the garment, hanger, and post it, as indicated in Figures 2 and 6, fully covering the garment, and having passed under the cutter 30 for cutting from 32 to 3 on each side of the sheet.

The paper is then cut from 32 to 34 in each direction from center and the corners 36 and 38 are turned inward and fastened as at 40 and 42 by adhesive tape or by suitable staples thus forming a tapered shouldered bag, the same remaining in bond with the supply of stock from 32 to 32. By pulling the paper at the midline the stock is pulled from under the knife 38 and to the full line position of Figure 2. The portion of paper from 32 to 32 is now cut off, leaving the stock ready for the next bag and garment. The completed bag is now pulled fully down over the garment as indicated at IS in Figures 2 and 6.

To remove the garment the operator grasps the upper end of the post It and the hanger hook 44, tilts the post and garment forwardly andslips the garment, hanger, and bag, endwise away from 3 the pivot 46. A suitable spring 48 returns the post to stop 50 which spaces the post from the face 26 of the frame 28.

The bag 52 so made can be slipped from the garment downwardly when in the customers closet, it being necessary only to break the tapes 40 and 42 or to remove the staples; the corners 38 do not dog-ear. Obviously, the steps outlined can be practised with suitable manual operations and with various mechanical devices.

The distances between the graduations i and I, and between the graduations 2 and 2-, and so on in Figure 2, represent the distance between the top of the hanger I2 and the cutter 30 so that when the finished bag is pulled" down it will cover the garment to the correct length, avoiding an oversupply of covering and also avoiding a shortage of covering.

Fold lines 54 and 56 are defined, in this modification, by the points 32 and the break may be effected over pivoted barriers 58 biased to lines 54 and 50 by springs 60 against stops 62. When the fold has been effected the barrier members are removed from their position within the fold by rotation inwardly, downwardly, and outwardly to slip out of the notches 64 incident to downward pull on the bag 52 to position of Figure 2.

Member Hi and the spring 48 are preferably of light weight and comparatively weal; action respectively in order to protect the bag against tearing in the event the operator lifts the hanger out of I4 and pulls the post I6 against the bag, in which event the post will simply deflect forwardly and allow the bag to slide oif the same. The inclination of the post I8 is to provide for lieeping the post in stable position even though several suits or other garments are hung thereon,

leaving the center of gravity of the post and its load rightward of the pivot 46 as viewed in Figure l. A plurality of rolls of tubular paper 22 are provided simply to render the machine a storage point for a reserve supply of the tubularstock.

While the cutting may be effected by many desirable types of cutting devices, thev preferred embodiment of cutting device 30 as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10, is carried by a frame 66 attached by feet. 68 to plate 20 at opposite ends of blade-groove, or slit, I0. A blade carrier I2 is movable to the rightin Figure. 3 and down toward the slitv I and alongit, to carry the cutting blades l6 through the paper Which lies through the passage '68 between thev frame 66 and the face plate 26. Pins I4 fastened in blade carrier I2 passthrough cam slots 88 inthe frame 66. Movement of the carrier I2 to the right in Figure 3 causes the blade tips I6 to move rapidly down along path indicated by the dotted lines 82, and then in a slightly inclined direction along the lines 84 to cut the stock from 32 to 34. as shown in- Figure 2. The carriage and movement of a second blade carrier 12' is like that of carrier I2 except that it moves tov the left in Figure 2 to cut the paper from 32 to 34, as at the left side of the stock in Figure 2. The advantage of moving in opposite directions from the center is that there is no tendency to wrinkle the stock. lEhe advance of the blade into the stock while point I6 follows path 84 insures that all points along the blade cut paper thus distributing the wear on the cutting edge. Several blades are used so that each needs to move only slightly more than its own length, reducing the swing of operating members. Reciprocation of the blade carriers in opposite directions may be accompushes at a single operation by centralcrank pin 4 8% around the axis of which, rotate the crank arms 88 to the ends of which are linked the links 90 and 90 freely rotating on pins 92 and 92' carried by the blade carriers I2 and I2. Rotation of 88 causes the movement of the carriers in opposite directions. Pin 86 finds bearing support in the frame 66 and a supporting bracket 94 carried by the frame, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Blades I6 are removably secured to the carrier by thumbnuts 96.

The movement of the blade carriers may be eifected by fastening pin 86 to arm 88 and connecting the pin 86 to a lever 96 for rotation to eifect cutting. This action may, however, be effected from the end of the cutter by a link I00 pivoted to the carrier I2 and to a lever 02 pivoted at I04. This lever when actuated will cause movement of the blade carriers in opposite directions. The arms 88 are enclosed by a housing bracket I06.

The folding operation is preferably effected mechanically, as by hinging a portion of the plate 25 beneath the foldline, as shown at 08, the triangular cut out flap I I2 leaving a strip l W adjacent the cutting groove l'0. The operation of the flap I I2 is effected from the lever I02 through a transversely sliding link IIi. A bracket H6 is secured to the flap H2 and joined to the reciprocating member l M by a pitman I I8 and universal joints I20 and I22 whereby reciprocating movement of the slide member II4 produces rotation of the flap from the dotted-line position in Figure 4, to the full-line position of Figure 4 to cause a fold in the stock along the line 54. A lost motion linkage at P24 provides that the flap I I 2 is operated only after the blades have cut the paper. Slots permit over travel of the blades after cutting to permit the folding operation. Retraction of the blades is. effected before the flaps II2 return to their position flush with the plate 26. The foldline terminus at 64 is assured by the bowed leaf spring 58', which permits the stock 52 to slide thereunder incident to feeding the stock and which is flattened by the plate, offering no considerable resistance. A spiral spring 60' locates and relocates the member 56 at the desired radius.

7 It is desired to fasten the fold near the foldline 54, and this may be done with a. conventional stapler I26 having its anvil portion I28 secured to the plate 26 as by means of a plate I30 having trunnion ears I32 and pivoted to lugs I34 on opposite sides of a recess I36 adjacent the pivot line in the plate 26, said lugs I34 being secured to the plate 26 and providing for the pivoting of the p1ate I30 parallel to axis of hinges I08 on pivot I48. Plate I30 includes hooks I38 which, with the plate 26, serves to retain the anvil portion I28. in position. A spring latch I40 passes through both the plate I30 and the anvil 526.

The movable portions of the stapler MI and I42, respectively carrying the. pusher and the magazine members, are detachably secured to the Iiap IIZ. bytrunnion ears I44 and adapter I46 rigidlyseoured to member MI and pivoted to said ears I44 by a pin I50 parallel to axis of I46. A recess I36 isprovided in flap II2 for the passage therethrough of staples: and the stapling head I 42. The pivot; pins I48 and I50 are so spaced as to ensure; that when the stapler is in fastening position,the. staple is caused to engage and pass through the paper near the fold made as an incident. to the folding operation, as illustrated in Figure 5. The pivots are spread apart for r traction of the staple ejector in the position mien with plate 26 as illustrated in Figure a. The stapler I26 is of such size or so located that it can pass through the opening formed by the folding movement of the flap II 2. With the plate 26 in an inclined position the folding and stapling action of the flap H2 is accelerated by gravity, the longer leverage of the plate I I2 adding thereto By modifying the construction the paper may be entirely out from the center line CL. The blades 16 are positioned to effect a cut entirely across the stock. Resilient rubber hold-down strips I52 are carried by the carrier bars 12 and 12' and engage the cut-off portion of paper to the points 32, as shown in Figures 3 and 7. After the flaps II2 are returned to starting position, the paper is fed past the knife position by feed mechanism I54 of conventional design carried above the knife position as illustrated in Figure 7 wherein the stock is illustrated as fed over the fiap II2.

As illustrated in Figure 7, the flap may be actuated by a slider I I4 sliding along the edge of the plate 26 and connected to an arm II6' by a universally connected link II8. Slider II4' may be connected by a pawl arrangement to the vmechanism I54 so that the final movement of the slider feeds the paper sufficiently far so that the operator can engage the same to pull it over the post I6. The timing is such that the flap I I2 returns to full line position of Figure '7 before the stock feeds to the upper edge thereof, and such that the rubber hold-down strips I52 are retracted before the stock feed reaches their position so that the stock clears all operating mechanism. v I

In the modification of Figure 6 the barriers are dispensed with and the same result is obtained by forming the plate 26 with a ridge thereacross at I58 to intersect at the lower fold terminus 64 as indicated in Figures 2 and 4. The paper stock is pulled down over this angle and offers suflicient resistance to deformation on the surface I 68 therebelow to prevent the paper from rolling beyond the ridge, while the upper corners 32 are held as in Figure 2 or by the hold-downs I52. The barriers 58 and 68 are thereby dispensed with.

As illustrated in Figure 6 the cutting, folding and fastening may be entirely effected from a foot lever I62 through a pitman I64 and suitable bell cranks I66 and I12 carried by shaft I68 mounted in trunnions I18 on the frame I14 and suitably connected to actuate lever I 82 and slider H4 in Figure 3 or connected to actuate lever I82 in Figure 3 and slider H4 in Figure '7. The foot lever I62 is preferably insured a full stroke by a full stroke pawl I16 biased by spring I18 and sliding on stationary notched arc I88 over the extent of which it must slide before being permitted a reversal.

In order to prevent the tearing of bags by the negligent operator an improved form of postyis provided and shown in Figure 6 to comprisetelescoping member I82, I84 and I86. The stationary telescoping member I82 is fixed to the base I88 of the supporting structure "4 and is provided with a generally vertically disposed slot I82 for the reception therethrough of a pin I88 and a pin I86 on the telescoping member I84 and I86 respectively. Slot I92 terminates in a ledge I84 adapted to receive and support the pin I88 in a slight swell. The ledge communicates from its offset position with the vertical slot by a camway section I88. This camway is provided to insure entry of the pin I88 into recess I84 in response to an upward pull on movable telescoping member I84, and also to insure its removal from said recess when it is required that the post collapse as will be explained presently.

Telescoping member I 84 is provided with a vertical slot 288 for the reception of the pin I96 fitted in the lower end of the member I86. Slot 288 lies adjacent the pin I98 and provides a recess 282 beneath the pin I88 and a hooked recess 284 for reception of the pin I86. The upper end 286 of member I86 is beveled and provided with a hanger receiving slot 288. This slot may be spiralled as shown in Figure 6e for a purpose to be explained.

Pin I86 and slot 288 are smaller than pin I88 and slot I92. lies in alignment with the lower side 2 I8 of camway I98. Pin I96 is long enough to extend partially outwardly of slot 288 and into the slot I82. In order to permit passage of pin I86 to slot I82 the grooves 2I2 and 2I4 are provided for its passage from either of its possible angular positions with respect to the base member I82.

Considering the post to be extended upwardly and the pins I98 and I86 in their respective recesses I84 and 284, the post is collapsed by turning the top member, as by means of pulling the hanger straight up through the spiral slot 2I6. Such turning of the member I86 causes at least one of the pins I86 or I94 to move out of its recess. The weight of the member or members carried by the pins released causes the member or members to drop.

Assuming that only pin I96 is released from its recess 284 by the rotation of the topmost member it will be clear that the member I86 drops and pin I 86 follows slot 288, passes through groove 2 I 4 and strikes on cam surface 2 I 8. Since the pin I86 is in engagement with the left side of slot 282 and traveling with considerable energy, the reaction of the cam 2 I8 is to move the member I84 so that slot 288 moves toward registry with slot I82 and so that pin I98 moves into camway I88. Accordingly, member I84 drops in response to its release by member I86.

Because pin I98 must slide in slot I82, slot 288 moves past registry with slot I 92. Since pin I96 is now in slot I82 the recess 282 permits rotation of the member I84 relative to pin I86 at the time pin I86 strikes cam 2"). Member I86 and I84 move down together. On the up movement sections I84 and I86 may move together, provided pin I96 stays in recess 282. In this case pin I 88 is forced into recess 284 and pin I 86 passes on through grooves 2I4. If pin I96 precedes pin I98 upwardly, the latching is effected by manually rotating the pins into the ledge recesses.

If it happens that section I84 is first to release in the collapse of the standard, it pulls pin I86 against the cam 2I8 and releases member I86 to travel down in section I84, member I86 being retractable into member I86 to permit it to clear member I82. To this end member I86 is mounted on the leaf spring I retractable into recess 2I8 in member I86.

By providing the spiral notch 2I6 in member I86 the slight upward and rotational thrust produced by the upward pull of the hanger produces a sufficient rotation and lift of the member I86 to release it first without releasing the member I84. The entire stand is insured to drop out of the bag 52 whichever section is released.

The standard must be extended to its full length in order to insure that the fabrication of With pin I98 in recess I94 slot 288 the bag QL-IWQLYS teem-s at; a definite distant-es move the garment and so tliat the Yeti-g is riot fie'd 1mg. To this end it win he noted that the release 6f member P36" prior to the tifi'i itfif pifr is seated permits the dropping 0% both memeews fie the fulIy' retracted position. Iii-as'ffihcfi as Ifii'hber 1'86 forces member I'M- td extend itself first; the release of member we Eefoi'e it efitefs reeese 1664 results in coliapse-of member I also; If mem 681" m2 shoxild happen tobereleased sin 1-95 is released by dam groove 7H3 wfiifi" is ifi thepath Of" it's Yr'itW'niefit and tfi-idte'd t6 fGr-'e pin 19% into groove 2% and to slide ihside tube I 82 until it free to -move Ia tei-afly in fcss 262:

Another method of making abag cfo'fnr is illustrated in Figures 8h 8d. A-fti the 13812381 is out corners are rolled and their the r'qH's 831's flattenedand fastened as is sfidw'fi m" Fig-- u-re as. This makes a strong, rigid joifi-t'; Tfie mechanism usesi replaces the fltri's' H2 and mm prises a, SEifiemBRI-ber Q-ZZ trav'efiflgaeoveten track 225 in pT'a-teZGi After the cut of thepafiei' is made, the mechanism, i-ficl'fiding fofdmg siou 22S, slides agai'fist' tfie corner 3 in at d'ii'eefiib'ri which it;- normsf to the-desitedfem ne- 55; The paperso engaged rails withi m the" sefolls arm, when a su'fficiem rellifig has been effected; the faster'i'er stapler IZ'B- operatedto flettrf the paper and-fasten it-togetfier.

The method of 'pacliagmg a; hzezigered germezit which does I lot hav'es'l'iifiient rigidity to St'-fid a'lonecomprising supperting the garment on a hanger, said hanger being"-siipitiorted fiom-wpoint garment is freely hangin in vertical position OTHER REFERENCES Packing & Shipping, June 1936, page 4-.

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