Package making – Apparatus for contraction of cover by stretching or shrinking
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-07
2003-07-29
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3721)
Package making
Apparatus for contraction of cover by stretching or shrinking
C053S399000, C053S588000, C053S441000, C053S445000, C053S157000, C053S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06598379
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to film wrapping machines, and more particularly to a new and improved ring-type film wrapping machine for wrapping, for example, palletized loads within stretch film, and a method of operating the same, wherein the ring frame member, which normally carries or supports a wrapping film carriage and a roll of wrapping film mounted thereon, also has operatively associated therewith a mechanism for implementing the downward folding of outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets, which are interposed between the different tiers of goods or articles disposed upon the support pallet in order to separate and support the different tiers of articles or goods upon the support pallet, such that the wrapping film can be applied to the palletized load in a uniform and tightly wrapped manner, and wherein further, the outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets will not puncture and therefore adversely affect the structural integrity of the wrapping film or that of the integrated wrapped palletized load.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ring-type film wrapping machines are well-known in the film wrapping industry for wrapping various articles, packages, loads, or the like, which are stacked and supported upon an underlying support pallet, within a suitable wrapping film. Examples of such ring-type film wrapping machines are disclosed, for example, within U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,961 which issued to Turfan on Mar. 6, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,807 which issued to Morantz on May 21, 1996, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,796 which issued to Haloila on May 13, 1986. As can readily be appreciated, and as specifically disclosed, for example, within
FIG. 1
of the present patent application drawings which corresponds to
FIG. 1
of the aforenoted patent to Turfan, a conventional ring-type film wrapping machine
10
is seen to comprise a four-post upstanding framework
12
through which extends a conveyor
14
for transporting articles or palletized loads to be wrapped or packaged to a wrapping station
16
which is located substantially at the center of the region or boundary area peripherally defined by means of the upstanding posts of the framework
12
. An upper horizontally disposed framework
18
, which is vertically movable in a reciprocating manner with respect to the framework
12
, rotatably supports a ring or circular track member
20
upon which is mounted a plastic film roll mounting and dispensing assembly
22
which includes a roll
24
of plastic wrapping film. Consequently, when the upper frame member
18
is moved in a vertically upward direction, after having been moved downwardly to a START position, and the ring or track member
20
is rotated with respect to the vertically movable upper frame member
18
, film from the roll
24
of plastic wrapping film, mounted upon the film roll mounting and dispensing assembly
22
, can be withdrawn or dispensed therefrom and applied to the articles or palletized loads which are disposed or located at the wrapping station
16
in preparation for being wrapped.
In order to form, for example, a stacked array of articles, packages, or loads upon the pallet, the articles, package, or loads are arranged within levels, layers, or tiers separated by means of suitable partitions or dividers known in the industry as slip sheets. The slip sheets present problems or difficulties, however, in connection with the actual wrapping of the articles, packages, or loads within the wrapping film. More particularly, since the peripheral edge portions of the slip sheets normally project externally beyond the peripheral vertical surfaces of the articles, packages, or loads disposed upon the pallet, such peripheral edge portions of the slip sheets do not readily permit the wrapping film to be applied to the palletized load in a uniform and tightly wrapped manner. In addition, the slip sheets are fabricated from a substantially rigid material and therefore the projecting peripheral edge portions of the slip sheets might cause penetration and puncture of the wrapping film thereby adversely affecting the structural integrity of the wrapping film as well as the integration or integral structure of the palletized load as formed in effect by the wrapped film.
A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved mechanism, and a method of operating the same, for implementing the downward folding of the outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets, which are interposed between the different tiers of goods or articles disposed upon a support pallet in order to separate and support the different tiers of goods or articles upon the support pallet, such that the wrapping film can be applied to the palletized load in a tightly wrapped and uniform mode or manner, and wherein further the downwardly folded outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets will not adversely affect the structural integrity of the wrapping film or that of the integrated wrapped palletized load.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mechanism, and a method of operating the same, for implementing the downward folding of the outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets which are interposed between the different tiers of goods or articles disposed upon a support pallet in order to separate and support the different tiers of goods or articles upon the support pallet.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism, and a method of operating the same, for implementing the downward folding of the outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets, which are interposed between the different tiers of goods or articles disposed upon a support pallet in order to separate and support the different tiers of goods or articles upon the support pallet, whereby such outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets will no longer present the operational disadvantages or drawbacks characteristic of PRIOR ART palletized load wrapping film systems.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism, and a method of operating the same, for implementing the downward folding of the outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets, which are interposed between the different tiers of goods or articles disposed upon a support pallet in order to separate and support the different tiers of goods or articles upon the support pallet, whereby such outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets will no longer operatively interfere with the film wrapping operation being performed upon or in connection with the palletized load.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism, and a method of operating the same, for implementing the downward folding of the outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets, which are interposed between the different tiers of goods or articles disposed upon a support pallet in order to separate and support the different tiers of goods or articles upon the support pallet, whereby such outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets will no longer adversely affect the structural integrity of the wrapping film as well as the structural integrity of the integrated palletized load.
A last object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism, and a method of operating the same, for implementing the downward folding of the outwardly projecting tab or peripheral edge portions of the plurality of slip sheets, which are interposed between the different tiers of goods or articles disposed upon a support pallet in order to separate and support the different tier
Noakes Kenneth J.
Zitella Marco
Gerrity Stephen F.
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Nash Brian D
Schwartz & Weirnieb
LandOfFree
Multi-tab folder for ring type stretch film wrapping... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Multi-tab folder for ring type stretch film wrapping..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multi-tab folder for ring type stretch film wrapping... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3054949