US3486291A - Method for folding and processing enclosures - Google Patents

Description

N. H. NYE 3,486,291

METHOD FOR FOLDING AND PROCESSING ENCLOSURES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 30, 1969 Filed oet. 26, 19s? METHOD FOR FOLDING AND PROCESSING ENGLOSURES Filed Oct. 26, 1967 N. H. NYE

Dec. 30, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN EYS.

Dec. 30, 1969 N. H. NY; 3,486,291

METHOD FOR FOLDING AND PROCESSING ENCLOSURES Filed OCS. 26, 1967 4 Sheets-Shes?I 3 FIG.5

nl Illf BY #J FIG. 6 @Md/2 t/Mami ATTORNEYS.

METHOD FOR FOLDING AND PROCESSING ENCLOSURES Filed Oct. 26, 1967 N. H. NYE

Dec. 30, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. NORMAN H NYE ATTORNEYS.

'United States Patent O 3,486,291 METHOD FOR FOLDING AND PROCESSING ENCLUSURES Norman H. Nye, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, assignor of ifty percent to Arthur T. Medkeif, Akron, Ohio Filed Oct. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 678,240 Int. Cl. B651) 43/04, 11/16 US. Cl. 53--29 2 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLGSURE Apparatus is provided for processing a continuous paper or other enclosure strip which is moved along a fixed path and lmeans fold the lateral margins of the paper strip inwardly over the upper surface of the strip into substantially abutting relation. Guide means are present for engaging the adjacent folded margins of the paper adjacent the center portion of the strip, and cutting means sever the strip transversely into longitudinally spaced sections. A driven conveyor means, downstream of the cutting means, engages the folded paper sections and continues movement along the yfixed path, while plow means engage the paper sections and progressively open the inwardly folded margins of such sections. Driven control means engage the guide means to reciprocate it past the cutting means to guide a leading end portion of the paper sections into proper engagement with the plow means.

As indicated, this invention relates to apparatus for processing paper strips to form paper enclosures for small flexible articles, such as a pair of gloves or the like, which apparatus functions substantially automatically and continuously to provide packaging means for large numbers of articles at low cost.

In the packaging of small articles, such as resilient or exible rubber, plastic gloves, or the like, normally these gloves are received in paper enclosures which are folded around to enclose the gloves. There may be an inner wrapping means around the gloves and an outer wrapping means may then be used to enclose the inner package. These gloves then normally are sterilized in their packages and can be removed for use without contamination. Inasmuch as large numbers of these gloves are made by manufacturers and need to be packaged inexpensively and rapidly, the use of automatic apparatus for such packaging operations, as far as possible, is obviously highly desirable.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved method of and apparatus for packaging small articles substantially completely automatically and rapidly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packaging machine and method for forming at least an inner wrap or enclosure for surgical gloves and similar articles and where the packaging means provide either a completed inner enclosure for the gloves or one which is readily adapted to be completed manually, as desired.

The foregoing objects and others will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevation of apparatus embodying the principles of the invention and for performing the method of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view of the paper strip as it is being processed by the apparatus of FIG. l and indicating the various actions performed thereon and the packaging action obtained;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation, partially in vertical cross-section of the sheet cutting, scoring, and conveying apparatus of FIG. 1;

Patented Dec. 30, 1969 rice FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4 4 of FIG. 3 of the conveyor and associated means;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical section of the apparatus of FIG. 3 taken on line 5-5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the guide means for engaging the paper section and feeding it to a conveyor therefor;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partially diagrammatic plan view of the conveyor means and associated Imembers for controlling and moving the cut paper sections of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, side elevation, partially shown in vertical section, of the paper scoring means in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

When referring to corresponding numbers shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

With reference to the details of the structure shown in the accompanying drawings, the numeral 10 is used to represent, in general, the folding and processing apparatus 10 of the invention. This apparatus 10= includes a suitable frame 11 that is adapted to have a roll of a strip of a suitable enclosure material, such as paper 12, suitbly journalled thereon at the input end of the apparatus. This paper strip 12 is of any suitable composition and is adapted to be led through a fixed path as it is being processed in the apparatus 10. Relatively conventional plow and folding means 13 are provided at a folding station A present in the apparatus and as the paper strip 13 moves through such a folding station A the lateral margins of the paper strip are folding inwardly to provide the portions 14 and 15 as indicated in FIG. 2. Preferably the inner edges 16 and 17 of these edge portions 14 and 15 are folded laterally outwardly at this folding station A, again as indicated in FIG. 2, for reasons to be described hereinafter in more detail.

IFrom the folding station A, the paper strip 12 moves to and through a hesitation station B wherein means, such as a lever arm 18, is provided and is journalled at its midpoint as by a shaft 19, and the paper strip is led around a pair of transverse extending rolls 20 and 21, but these rolls are positioned in longitudinally spaced relationship and paper passes from the roll 20I up, over, and

y around a roll 22 journalled on one end of the lever arm 18 and then the paper moves back to and around the roll 21. The paper is led past this printing station C. over and around to a roll 23 in the path of movement of the paper strip and then it extends up, over, and around the roll 24 journalled on the downstream end of the lever arm 18 and from such roll passes to another guide roll 25 for continued movement through the apparatus 10. Suitable drive means (not shown) are provided in association with the lever arm 18 for rocking it in a controlled F manner whereby first the downstream end of the lever arm 1S is uppermost as indicated in the drawings and then the lever arm rocks whereby the upstream end of the lever arm is uppermost. By such action, continually changing lengths or portions of the paper strip 13 are retained against progressive longitudinal movement and hence the section of the paper strip 12 between the roll 21 and the roll 23 will be stationary for a brief interval. At such time, suitable printing means indicated by the numeral 26 are brought into engagement with the stationary paper strip for afxing proper indicia, such as glove size, or other designations on the paper strip while it is temporarily held against downstream movement in the apparatus.

From the printing station C, the paper strip 12 is led to and through an embossing station D wherein a pair of suitable embossing rolls 27 and 28 are provided and between which the paper strip is fed. These embossing rolls 27 and 28 are driven in any suitable manner and have any desired surface configurations thereon whereby the paper strip 12 which initially may be of relatively at, smoothly formed paper texture is roughened or embossed in any desired manner. These embossing rolls 27 and 28 are shown in FIG. 3 and from these rolls the paper strip moves into a cutting and creasing station E. At this cutting and creasing station E the apparatus best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 engages the paper strip 12 to perform certain cutting, guiding, and creasing actions thereon. When the leading end of the folded paper strip 12 is initially led towards the station E, the paper strip is threaded through a suitable guide means 30 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings. This guide means 30 includes a pair of horizontally positioned, longitudinally extending support arms 31 and 32 which have a guide plate 33 secured to the ends thereof and extending therebetween. The guide plate 33, which may be made from two separate members that may be secured together along their adjacent edges, as by welding at 34, or the like, includes a flattened, oval-shaped member 35, the laterally outer upper portions of which are spaced from and positioned below the center portion of the guide plate 33, but with the actual center of the member 35 normally being secured to the guide plate 33 for support therefrom whereby the member 35 has a substantially flat base section 36 and downwardly diverging upper portions 37 and 38. Hence the edge portions 14 and 15 of the paper strip 12 can be individually threaded between the guide plate 33 and the upper portions 37 and 38 of the member 35 so that a center section 39 of the paper strip 12 moves along below the base section 36 of the member 35 and the edge portions 14 and 15 are moving along the upper portions 37 and 38 as indicated in FIG. 7 whereby the spacing of these parts of the paper strip facilitates further processing thereof as hereinafter described. In addition, the guide means 30 has a tongue 40 extending therefrom, which tongue extends downstream from and downwardly with relation to the upper portions 37 and 38 of the guide means 30 at the downstream ends thereof whereby the paper strip 12 as it is moving longitudinally, and/or as the guide means 30 is moved in relation to portions of the paper strip 12, the tongue 40 can be used to maintain the edge portions 14 and 15 slightly spaced up vertically above the center section 39 of the paper strip. The paper strip is being supported on a suitable horizontal member such as a plate 41 as it is moving into the cutting and creasing station E.

The paper strip 12 is cut transversely into longitudinally separate sections 12a by suitable means which include a pair of cooperating cutter bars, or cutting means between which the paper strip 12 passes. Thus, an upper Shaft 42 is shown which carries a support 43 thereon, and a suitable member such as a hardened steel cutter bar 44 is adjustably carried by the support 43 and protrudes downwardly therefrom. A lower shaft 45 positions a support or block 46 thereon that extends transversely of the xed path through which the paper strip 12 is being moved, and a hardened steel or other equivalent cutter reinforcing block 47 is secured to the upport 46. These shafts 42 and 45 are suitably connected to each other and driven by suitable means (not shown) whereby the rotation of the shafts is such that the cutter bar 45 and the backup member 47 are brought into operative engagement with each other on each rotation of their support shafts whereby a cutting action is effected on the paper strip as it moves between these members. Hence accurately predetermined lengths of the paper strip are severed from the strip and the sections 12a are then further processed in the apparatus.

Preferably the support 43 has an arcuate shaped guide 48 provided on the upstream margin thereof whereby as the shaft 42 rotates, the guide 48 engages the cut end of the paper strip 12 as. the papersections 12a are being processed and this holds the portions of the paper sections in good engagement with the guide means 30, as well as keeping the paper folded flat for the next processing operation to be performed thereon.

Another action which occurs in timed relationship to the'movement of the paper strip sections and/or paper strip with relation to the cutting and creasing station E is 'that the guide means 30 are reciprocated longitudinally with relation to the cutter means and which guide means will extend longitudinally downstream of the cutting means when such means are not operatively associated with each other. These movement control means for the guide means 30 include a pair of longitudinally extending supports or rods 50 and 51 on which individual slide blocks 52 are positioned. The blocks 52 engage with the guide means 30 as by means of an attachment or bar 53 on each side of the apparatus 10 which individually extend and are secured to one of the support arms 31 or 32 and connects `from it to one of the individual blocks 52, whereby the guide means 30 is positioned for reciprocating movement in a horizontal plane. The movement of the slide blocks 52 on the rods 50 and 51 is controlled by means of a control arm 54 which has a connecting link 55 suitably secured to the upper end thereof. The free end of the link 55 is then suitably operatively attached to one or the other of the blocks 52 or to means extending therebetween. The lower end of the control arm 54 is secured to a shaft 56 journalled in a suitable support housing 57 at the lower portion of the apparatus 10. This shaft 56, in turn, is controlled to be driven through a limited arcuate movement in timed relationship to the movement of the paper strip 12 through the apparatus 10 by means including a short arm or link 58 fixedly attached to the shaft 56 and extending slightly upwardly and downstream therefrom. An adjustable link connector 59 extends between the free end of the arm S8 and the free end of an arm 60 which is pivotally or iixedly connected to a transversely extending shaft 61. Controlled arcuate movement of the shaft 61 or arm 60 is in turn provided by a control cam 62 by an arm 63 operatively secured to the shaft 61 or arm 60 and having a cam follower 64 provided at its free end and engaging the cam 62. The cam 62 is carried by a transversely extending shaft 65 suitably journalled on the frame 11 of the apparatus and which has drive provided therefor from the overall drive means provided for the apparatus 10 in any conventional manner. Thus, a sprocket and chain means 66 engages with the end of the shaft 65 for driving it in timed relationship to the remaining operations of the apparatus 10.

CREASING MEANS In the apparatus 10, the particular type of packaging means being provided in the embodiment of the invention shown preferably has transversely extending creases or somewhat scored lines provided in each of the paper sections 12a spaced a short distance from the ends thereof. Hence, when the packaging unit provided by the invention is completed, in many instances it is desirable to fold these paper sections 12a at the creases or fold lines 12b and 12C provided therein, as indicated in FIG. 2. To provide this creasing action in the apparatus 10, reference is made to a so-called stationary jaw or plate 70 which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 9 supported in the apparatus 10, as by one or more support arms 71 wherein such stationary plate 70 is positioned in the xed path of movement of the paper sections a short distance downstream from the cutting rolls or means operatively carried by the shafts 42 and 45. This support arm 71 preferably is operatively engaged with and carried by positioning and/ or control means that are operatively positioned on, associated with, and/ or carried by a pair of slide blocks 72 and 73 that in turn are slidably engaged with the longitudinally extending rods 50 and 5l adjacent the inner center portion of the apparatus as.

shown in FIG. 5 A movable plate 76 is positioned in operative association with the stationary plate 7 0 and it is carried on a transversely extending rod 77 which is operatively carried by the slide block 72 and 73 for movement therewith. This movable plate 76 specifically is carried by an L-shaped support 78 that has a bearing 79 provided in the vertically extending leg thereof for engaging the rod 77 to position the support 78 for controlled arcuate movement in the apparatus. A leg 78a of the support 78 extends in an upstream direction from the rod 77 and it has a vertically, upwardly extending control finger 80, indicated at 80a and 80h, being in V-shaped relationship to each other for engaging a control member to move the leg 78a of the support 78 downwardly on downstream movement of the slide blocks 72 and 73 so as to bring the stationary plate 70 and movable plate 76 into abutting operative relationship with each other. Normally, a spring 81 is suitably engaged with and positioned by and to extend between the support arms 71 and the vertically, upwardly extending leg of the support 78, as indicated in FIG. 9, so that these plates normally are in spaced relationship to each other. Usually the adjacent vertically extending edges of the plates 70 and 76 may have interengaging, generally rectangularly-shaped teeth and/ or recesses thereon in cornplementary relationship to each other to aid in providing the desired creasing action on the paper being processed.

The actual control means for controlled movement of the support leg 78a and associated means is provided in the apparatus by a support bracket 82 secured to the frame 11 of the apparatus, as indicated in FIG. 3. This bracket 82 positions a downwardly extending control finger 83 in the apparatus so that such finger has only upstream pivotal movement in the apparatus. Flat operative surfaces 83a and 8327 are provided on the lower end of the finger 83 for cooperative engagement with the surfaces 80a and 80h on the finger 80. A coil spring 84 usually is provided connecting the finger 83 to the bracket 82 to limit upstream movement thereof and to pull such finger downstream normally. Thus when the slide block 72 and 73 are moved downstream, the surface 80b of the finger 80 engages the surface 83a of the finger 83 and the arm 78a and associated means is caused to move downwardly rapidly and then flip back up to its normal position so as to bring the movable plate 76 into engagement with the plate 70 after which the spring 81 forces such plates apart. On return movement of the members carried by the positioning means including the slide blocks 72 and 73 in an upstream direction, the control finger 83 just pivots in an upstream direction and no flipping or downward movement of the support leg 72 and associated means is provided.

The controlled reciprocating movement of the slide blocks 72 and 73 and members carried thereby is provided by an adjustable connector arm 85 which pivotally engages a short bracket 86 operatively secured to the slide blocks 72 and 73 and extending downwardly therefrom. The opposite end of the connector arm 8S pivotally connects to a control arm or control flange 87 which is carried by and/or secured to a control block 88 which is secured to a shaft 89 suitably journalled on the frame 11 and extending transversely therefrom. This shaft 89 also has a control finger 90 operatively secured thereto and carrying a cam follower 91 at its free end` The cam follower 91 engages a cam 92 secured to the shaft 65 which is driven in timed relationship to the apparatus and this cam 92 has two operative lobes 92a and 92b provided thereon in this embodiment of the invention. Suitable means, such as an arm 93 is secured to the shaft 89 and one end thereof and with a coil spring 94 or equivalent means connecting to the other end of the arm 93 and being fixed to a suitable portion of the frame 11, whereby the control finger 90 and cam follower 91 are continually urged into operative association with the cam 92. From FIG. 3, it will be seen that the cam lobes 92a and 921; are in relatively closely adjacent, circumferentially spaced relationship to each other whereby the movement provided to the slide block 72 and 73 and means associated therewith comprises two short, closely adjacent, reciprocating actions for such blocks and the means carried thereby.

Actual creasing action on the paper sections 12a being processed is provided by means of a crease bar carried by a support arm 101. This support arm 101 is journalled on a rod or shaft 102 that in turn is suitably secured to and carried by the support arm 71 by means of an arm or bracket 103 secured to the support arm 71 and extending downstream thereof. A controlled pivotal movement of the arm 101 and crease bar 100 then is provided by means of an adjustable length connector link 104, one end of which is pivotally secured to the arm 101 intermediate the ends thereof. The arm 103 extends downwardly and its lower end is pivotally connected to a control bar or finger 105 and the opposite end of this control bar 105 is operatively secured to a transversely extending rod or shaft 106 suitably journalled on means carried by the slide blocks 72 and 73. Controlled arcuate movement of the shaft 106 is provided by the reciprocating action of the slide blocks 72 and 73 by means of a control finger 107, similar to the finger 80, and which finger 107 extends downwardly from and is suitably secured to the operative unit provided by the slide blocks 72 and 73 and associated connecting means. This finger 107 hence has an operative edge 107:1 that engages an operative surface 108 of a control key or finger 109 which is carried by a bracket 110 suitably affixed to the frame 11. The finger 109 is pivotally positioned on the bracket 110 but is inclined in an upstream direction and is suitably retained against any pivotal movement in a downstream direction by a flange or lug 111 on the bracket 110. Hence, with each downstream movement of the slide blocks 72 and 73 and associated means, the finger 107 engages the surface 108 of the finger 109 and is caused to take a quick upwardly directed movement, or such sliding movement produces an arcuate movement of the control finger 107 to move the shaft 106 through a short arc so as to cause the arm 104 to move downwardly a short distance and this in turn provides downward movement of the arm 101 and crease -bar 100 to provide an instantaneous operative engagement of the crease bar with the associated creasing plates and the paper received therebetween receives a transverse extending creasing action. Such action occurs when the plates 70 and 76 are operatively associated. On return movement of the members carried by the slide blocks 72 and 73, the finger 107 just rides over the finger 109 which is moved forwardly a short distance and no operative action of the arm 101 and associated means is provided. Means such as a coil spring 112 extend between the bracket 110 and the finger 109 to maintain it in the operative position as shown.

The crease or crimp bar 100 may have a plurality of transversely spaced teeth 113 provided thereon, as shown in FIG. 5, or continuous creasing surfaces may be provided on this member, as desired.

FURTHER PROCESSING AND PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT OF PAPER SECTIONS After the paper sections 12a have been formed, it is desired to continue their movement downstream through the fixed path movement to be provided therefor. Thus, a suitable conveyor is journalled on the frame 11, as by being carried by support sprockets 121, or the like, that are carried by transversely extending shafts 122, only one of which is shown in FIG. 3 and it is adapted to engage the sections as the guides 30 and 48 move the cut sections downstream. The shaft 122 can be connected to any suitable drive means for moving the conveyor 120 in timed relationship to other movement of the paper strip 12 onto and through the apparatus. Usually this conveyor 120 comprises one chain which has longitudinally spaced, transversely extending carrier bars 123 suitably secured thereto and extending therebetween. As shown in FIGS. 3

and 4, each of these carrier bars 123 is hollow and has a pair of blocks 124 and 125 slidably received therein. These blocks 124 and 125 position small L-shaped clamp menas or clamps 126 pivotally at their outer ends, which clamps have a normal operative position as shown on the left side of FIG. 4 wherein a leg 126g of the clamp overlies the end of the carrier bar 123 and normally has a resilient layer 127 secured thereto for engaging the lateral margins of the paper strip section 12a being carried by the conveyor through a further portion of the apparatus 10. These blocks 124 and 125 are normally urged laterally inwardly of the carrier bars 123 into the retracted position shown on the left hand side of FIG. 4 by coil springs 128 or the like positioned in the bars 123 engaging the outer ends of the individual blocks and being suitably secured to the carrier bars 123 at the inner ends of the springs. An axially outwardly directed opening force is transmitted to the blocks 124 and 125 by members, such as cam followers or rollers 129, that are journalled on support lingers or pins 130 secured to each of the blocks 124 and 125 and extending downwardly therefrom through suitable slots 131 provided in the lower surface of the carrier bars 123.

FIGS. 4 and 8 best show that a pair of arcuate control means such as cams 132 and 133 are provided in laterally spaced relation on the frame 11 at the upstream end of the conveyor 120 and that the rollers or cam followers 129 engage with such cams 132 and 133 whereby the blocks 124 and 125 are moved outwardly of the conveyor as the conveyor moves around the sprockets 121 at the upstream end of the conveyor. These cams by a vertically extending edge portion of each cam indicated at 134 initially gradually move the blocks laterally outwardly and then release the blocks to snap them back into their intermost positions at which time the legs 126a of the clamps 126 are brought into operative engagement with lateral margins of the paper section for moving it positively through the remaining portion of the apparatus. Usually control discs or plates 135 and 136 are secured to and carried by the shaft 122, as indicated in FIG. 4 to limit axial outward movement of the slide blocks 124 and 125 as the clamps 126 are opened for engagement with the margins of the paper section, as indicated in FIG. 4.

ENCLOSURE MATERIAL UNFOLDING AND FOLDING ACTIONS As indicated in the drawings in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, as the paper sections 12a are moved progressively downstream by the conveyor 120, initially a roughly V-shaped plow 140 is adapted to be threaded into the folded paper section and engage the edge portions 14 and 15 thereof to continuously and progressively unfold and swing upwardly and outwardly such edge sections so as to expose the center portion of the paper strip sections for positioning articles therein. This plow 140 has a substantially flat, horizontal front section 141 that is threaded into engagement with the paper sections by the reciprocating action of the guide means 30 and the movement thereof by its control means down to the upstream end of the conveyor 120 whereby the edge portions 14 and 15 are retained elevated from the center portion of the paper section and engage the upper surfaces of the frontal portion 141 of the plow. Thereafter, the plow, by its diverging downstream extending portions gradually twists out of a horizontal plane to swing the edge portions 14 and 15 upwardly and outwardly in portions 142 of the plow. Then any suitable means, such as guide bars 143 or the like, positioned adjacent each lateral margin of the conveyor 120 retain the edge portions in a substantially upright position. Then either manually, or automatically, as desired, materials or articles to be packaged, such as a pair of flexible rubber gloves 144 or the like can be positioned on each of the paper sections 12a in the center portion thereof. Normally these articles 144 are placed to extend longitudinally of the paper sections and are substantially centrally positioned therein.

Adjacent the downstream end of the conveyor 120, suitable members such as guide bars 145 and 146, extend inwardly and downwardly of the conveyor to bring the edge portions 14 and 15 down into covering relationship with the center portion of the paper strip. At substantially the same time additional guide bars 147 and 148, as indicated in FIG. 8, with outwardly flaring ends 147a and' 148a respectively engage the clamps 126 to progressively move them into opened or released positions as the conveyor is terminating its downstream movement whereby the individual paper sections are released. Cams 150 and 151, similar to the cams 132 and 133, are also provided for engaging the rollers 129 in association with the blocks 124 and 125 to move such blocks outwardly concurrently with or prior to the action of the guide bars when the paper is to be released and to insure that the paper sections can just move out of engagement with the conveyor 120 and continue downstream movement on any suitable conveyor means provided for conveying the same. Thereafter the partially packaged articles, which are enclosed in the paper wrapper provided, then can be further processed, as by folding edge portions of the paper sections transversely inwardly on the creased lines 12b and 12C provided thereon whereby the additional packaging or folding of the articles is obtained. Any outer wrap or other enclosure means may thereafter be provided around the paper sections 12 and articles received therein. The edges 16 and 17 formed on the paper sections aid in opening the packages without contamination of the sterilized contents.

While the invention has been described with relation to a paper strip other packaging materials of similar physical properties can be substituted therefor.

A spring connects to the arm 54 to aid in maintaining the arm 63 and cam follower 64 in good engagement with the cam 62.

While in accordance with the patent statutes only one best known embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby, but that the inventive scope is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of wrapping articles wherein a continuous strip of enclosure material is fed along a fixed path and the lateral margins of the strip are folded inwardly into substantially abutting relation on the upper surface of the strip, the improvement comprising the steps of cutting the strip transversely to form sections,

moving the sections along a horizontal path,

progressively moving the folded margins of the sections upwardly and outwardly to expose the center portion of the section while the sections are being moved longitudinally so that a ilexible article can be placed on the opened section, and

progressively refolding the marginal portions of the sections over the center portion thereof and any article thereon while the sections are being moved longitudinally.

2. A method as in claim 1 including the steps of forming transversely extending scored fold lines adjacent each end of each section of the enclosure material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1936 McCain 53-179 X 8/1953 Cloud 53-177

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