Package making – Wrapping machines – Cinched or wiped around initial wrap
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-15
2001-02-13
Vo, Peter (Department: 3721)
Package making
Wrapping machines
Cinched or wiped around initial wrap
C053S118000, C053S203000, C053S211000, C053S399000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185900
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for wrapping a load with packaging material.
Loads have been stretch wrapped with stretch wrap packaging material by securing a leading end of the packaging material to the load or a turntable clamp, dispensing the packaging material by providing relative rotation between the load and a packaging material dispenser to cause the load to be enveloped by the packaging material, and severing the packaging material between the load and a packaging material dispenser. The relative rotation between the load and the dispenser can be provided either by rotating the load on a turntable, or by translating the dispenser around a stationary load. Stretch wrapping usually employs a web of stretch film as the packaging material, and the machinery can be either automatic or semi-automatic.
Semi-automatic stretch wrapping machinery requires the operator to attach a leading end of the packaging material to the load for each load to be wrapped. Typically, this is accomplished by forming a rope in the leading end of the film and then inserting the leading end between the layers of the load or by tying the end of the packaging material to the edge of the supporting wood pallet or any suitable outcropping on the load. This attachment must be relatively strong since it provides the reaction to force needed to pull the film from the film dispenser during the initiation of the relative rotation between the load and the film dispenser. The attachment or tying of the film makes film removal more difficult after the load has been shipped to its destination.
Automatic stretch wrapping machines are significantly more expensive than semi-automatic machines. The automatic machines typically use film clamps that grip the film web between two opposed surfaces, use electrical or pneumatic actuators to open and close the clamps, typically supply electrical or pneumatic power to the actuators on a turntable through the journal of the turntable, and use hot wires or other expensive cutting devices are used to cut the film. Such film clamps create a “tenting” effect during wrapping due to the distance between the clamp and the load during wrapping, resulting in wasted film and loosely wrapped loads.
In light of the cost of such automatic machines, there is a need for a method and apparatus for wrapping a load with packaging material that operates as effectively as those previously developed to allow automatic release and clamping of portions of the packaging material but which can be manufactured at a lower cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for wrapping a load with packaging material, which provides advantages over and obviates several problems associated with earlier methods and apparatus for wrapping a load. To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the invention concerns an apparatus for wrapping a load with packaging material, including an apparatus for wrapping a load with packaging material, including a dispenser for dispensing packaging material, a rotatable turntable for providing relative rotation between the dispenser and the load to wrap packaging material around the load, and a packaging material holder mounted on the rotatable turntable and isolated from any electrical or fluid power source by the rotatable turntable for automatically grasping and releasing portions of the packaging material, the packaging material holder including means for building and storing energy, and for releasing the stored energy to move the packaging material holder.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of wrapping a load with packaging material, including a method of wrapping a load with packaging material including holding a leading end of the packaging material with a packaging material holder mounted on a rotatable turntable and isolated from any electrical or fluid power source by the rotatable turntable, dispensing packaging material from a packaging material dispenser and rotating the turntable to wrap packaging material around sides of the load, automatically cutting at least a portion of the packaging material between the load and the packaging material dispenser, and moving the packaging material holder by automatically building and storing energy in the packaging material holder, and automatically releasing the stored energy.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the method and apparatus particularly pointed out in the written description and claims as well as the appended drawings.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
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Lancaster, III Patrick R.
Martin Curtis
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Harmon Chris
Lantech Management Corp.
Vo Peter
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