EP2923956A1 - Halbautomatischer gepäckumwickler und sicheres verfahren zur umwicklung davon - Google Patents

Halbautomatischer gepäckumwickler und sicheres verfahren zur umwicklung davon Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2923956A1
EP2923956A1 EP15161199.3A EP15161199A EP2923956A1 EP 2923956 A1 EP2923956 A1 EP 2923956A1 EP 15161199 A EP15161199 A EP 15161199A EP 2923956 A1 EP2923956 A1 EP 2923956A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
condition
platform
wrapper
luggage
control unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP15161199.3A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Fabio Talin
Paolo Bevilacqua
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Truestar Group SpA
Original Assignee
Truestar Group SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Truestar Group SpA filed Critical Truestar Group SpA
Publication of EP2923956A1 publication Critical patent/EP2923956A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/18—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices causing operation of audible or visible alarm signals
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/005—Safety-devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/04—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material the articles being rotated
    • B65B11/045—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material the articles being rotated by rotating platforms supporting the articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/10—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
    • B65B57/12—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to control, or stop, the feed of wrapping materials, containers, or packages

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a luggage wrapper and to a process of wrapping luggage.
  • the wrapper and associated process find their main, but not exclusive, application in the field of airport services for protectively wrapping any type of luggage.
  • the nowadays known wrappers provide a support frame substantially subdivided into an aft portion adapted to house a wrapper command unit and plastic film, and a fore portion defined by a rotating platform adapted to receive the luggage.
  • the luggage is positioned on the platform; the plastic film is initially guided by an operator on the luggage and then the wrapper is operated.
  • the start provides to rotate the platform in order to arrange the film all around the article of luggage.
  • the film is flexible and adapts to the article shape for adequately covering and protecting it. Only after having correctly wrapped the luggage and completed the cycle, the platform rotation is stopped, possibly the luggage itself is rotated of 90° or 180° and the operations of wrapping the other sides are completed; then, the machine is automatically stopped (or an operator stops it), the plastic film is cut, possible adhesive labels are placed and the luggage is removed from the platform.
  • An encountered problem is represented by the fact that, to date, no one of the known wrapping machines is capable of operating by completely complying to safety requirements: the encountered problem is due to the fact that, to date, does not exist any specific regulation about wrapping machines operating in a public environment. Such machines operate in unprotected environments and have elements operating at high rotation velocities: the essential element of a wrapper for obtaining the objects of service cost-effectiveness and customer satisfaction consists of ensuring short wrapping times. For this reason, the nowadays known wrappers operated in an environment easily accessible from the people, are not very safe; it is noted that wrappers are stopped by the operators whose task consists of monitoring the environment adjacent the machine and possibly stopping the process if people come near or in contact with the rotating platform. To date, the responsibility in terms of people safety exclusively depends on the operator, and therefore completely depends upon the presence, will and attention of this latter.
  • the problem regarding the safety does not only regard the people but also the operator in charge of the machine operation.
  • the operator is required to act in the initial step of wrapping an article of luggage for guiding the film, at least for the first round, around the article.
  • the operator intervention is required in the final steps of closing the envelope around the article; therefore there are different conditions under which the operator intervention is required when the machine is operating (rotating platform) and when the operator approaches the wrapper when the same is operating in a regime condition (high velocity).
  • a regime condition high velocity
  • an object of the present invention is to substantially solve at least one of the disadvantages and/or limitations of the preceding solutions.
  • a first object of the invention consists of providing a wrapper configured for operating under a total safe condition for the airport users and operators responsible for the operation of the same.
  • a further main object of the invention consists of providing a wrapping machine enabling to wrap an article of luggage by minimizing the manual intervention of an operator; particularly, the operator will act in an initial, central and final wrapping steps for loading the article, starting wrapping (initial step), rotating the article after a first cycle (central step) and completing the wrapping (final step, for example picking up the article). It is a further object of the invention to provide a wrapper having short processing times (at least proportional to the actual ones), for completely wrapping an article of luggage.
  • a general object of the present invention consists of providing a luggage wrapping process, which is fast and safe also in a public environment and which requires a minimum intervention by an operator.
  • a luggage (100) wrapper (1) comprising:
  • the operative condition of the wrapper (1) comprises at least one of the following conditions:
  • the risk condition established by control unit (7), comprises at least one from among the following conditions:
  • the intervening condition comprises one or more of the following conditions:
  • control unit (7) following the determination of the alert condition, is configured for modifying or maintaining the operative condition of the wrapper in at least one of the following operative conditions: an alarm condition, a slow-down condition.
  • control unit (7) following the determination of the danger condition, is configured for modifying or maintaining the operative condition of the wrapper in at least one of the following operative conditions: an alarm condition, a stop condition.
  • the senor (8) is configured for continuously sending the safety signal to the control unit (7), the control unit (7), following the determination of the malfunctioning condition, being configured for modifying or maintaining the operative condition of the wrapper in at least one of the following operative conditions: an alarm condition, a stop condition.
  • the senor (8) comprises at least one optical-type presence detector.
  • the senor (8) comprises at least one laser scanner, particularly at least one 2D laser scanner.
  • the predetermined area at the platform (5) comprises an external area (E), an intermediate area (I) and an internal area (A).
  • the external area (E) has a size greater than the size of the intermediate area (I).
  • intermediate area (I) is completely contained in external area (E).
  • the intermediate area (I) has a size greater than the size of the internal area (A).
  • the platform (5) is arranged internally of the internal area (A).
  • the internal area (A) is delimited by an outer perimeter, the minimum distance, measured according to a top view normal to the area itself, between the outer perimeter of the internal area (A) and an outer perimeter of platform (5) is comprised between 0 and 1200 mm, particularly between 0 and 1000 mm.
  • the intermediate area (I) is delimited by an outer perimeter, the minimum distance, measured according to a top view normal to the area itself, between outer perimeter of the intermediate area (I) and platform (5) is comprised between 0 and 1300 mm, particularly between 0 and 800 mm.
  • the external area (E) is delimited by an outer perimeter, the minimum distance, measured according to a top view normal to the area itself, between outer perimeter of external area (E) itself and platform (5) is comprised between 1,000 and 2,000 mm, particularly between 1,200 and 1,900 mm.
  • the external area (E) has an extension comprised between 4 and 13 m 2 , particularly between 5.2 and 12 m 2 .
  • the intermediate area (I) has an extension comprised between 1.5 and 8 m 2 , particularly between 2 and 5.5 m 2 .
  • the internal area (A) has an extension comprised between 0.1 and 2 m 2 , particularly between 0.15 and 0.5 m 2 .
  • the intermediate area (I) comprises an operator zone (O) arranged at least for a section thereof at the platform (5).
  • the operator zone (O) is configured for enabling an operator (P) to intervene on the luggage (100) and/or on the plastic film at the luggage (100), the control unit (7), following the detection of a person (P) in operator zone (O), commanding the slow-down condition of wrapper (1).
  • the frame (2) comprises at least a portion of housing (2a) and at least one operative portion (2b) carrying the platform (5).
  • the housing portion (2a) and operative portion (2b) are spaced and preferably connected by an intermediate portion (2c).
  • the frame (2) is configured for enabling, under a condition of use of wrapper (1), to place the wrapper (1) on a ground surface, at least said operative portion (2b) being configured for having a minimum distance (D1) from the ground.
  • the operative portion comprises feet (13) and/or wheels (11) configured for spacing the operative portion (2b) from the ground.
  • the minimum distance (D1) between operative portion (2b) and the ground is greater than 30 mm, particularly is comprised between 60 and 120 mm.
  • the operative portion (2b) and intermediate portion (2c) are configured for having a minimum distance (D1) from the ground greater than 30 mm, particularly comprised between 60 and 120 mm.
  • the sensor (8) is engaged with operative portion (2b) or intermediate portion (2c) of frame (2), the predetermined area monitored by sensor (8) extends along a plane comprised between the ground and said operative and intermediate portions (2b, 2c).
  • the wrapper comprises only one sensor (8).
  • the support device (4) carrying reel (3) is moveable along a prevalent development direction (T) substantially parallel to rotation axis (Y) of platform (5).
  • the wrapper comprises at least one detector (9) configured for monitoring a size of the luggage (100) placed on platform (5) and generating at least one control signal indicating a maximum height (M), measured along the rotation axis (Y) of platform, of the luggage (100).
  • control unit (7) is connected to the support device (4) and detector (9), the control unit (7) being configured for receiving and processing the control signal from detector (9) for determining the maximum height (M) of the luggage (100), control unit (7), following the determination of the maximum height (M), being configured for comparing such height with a reference height and executing at least one of the following operations:
  • the wrapping velocity (Va) is comprised between 0.3 and 1.5 round/sec, particularly is comprised between 0.4 and 1.1 round/sec.
  • a safety velocity is comprised between 0.05 and 0.8 round/sec, particularly comprised between 0.2 and 0.4 round/sec.
  • support device (4) and reel (3) are engaged with the housing portion (2a) of frame (2).
  • the actuator (6) is directly engaged with the operative portion (2b), particularly, under a condition of use of wrapper (1), below platform (5).
  • a process of wrapping luggage comprising the following steps:
  • the wrapper (1) operative condition comprises at least one of the following conditions:
  • the risk condition, established by control unit (7) comprises at least one among the following conditions:
  • the intervening condition comprises at least one of the following conditions:
  • control unit sets the wrapper into at least one of the following conditions:
  • control unit sets the wrapper into at least one of the following conditions:
  • the control unit (7) in the absence of the reception of the safety signal, being configured for setting the wrapper into at least one of the following conditions:
  • the senor (8) comprises at least one optical-type presence detector.
  • the senor (8) being a laser scanner, for example a 2D laser scanner.
  • the external area (E) is greater than the intermediate area (I), particularly the intermediate area (I) being entirely contained in the external area (E).
  • the intermediate area (I) is greater than the internal area (A), particularly the internal area (A) being entirely contained in the intermediate area (I).
  • the platform (5) is placed inside internal area (A).
  • the wrapper 1 is generally indicates a luggage wrapper 100.
  • the wrapper 1, object of the present invention is used, in a non-limiting way, in the airport field, particularly in the airport services field for wrapping luggage or cases 100.
  • the wrapper 1, object of the present invention enables to be promptly aware that an article of luggage has been opened upon its recovery and/or make easier to recognize the article of luggage itself.
  • the wrapper is configured for substantially covering any kind of article of luggage 100 by a plastic film adapted to provide an auxiliary protection to the luggage.
  • the film defines, around the article of luggage 100, a kind of envelope configured for preventing a luggage opening from being missed and also for avoiding/reducing a damage to an article of luggage itself.
  • the film used by the wrapper 1 is a resistant film capable of protecting the luggage from the weather, from possible damages (scratches or cuts) and preventing its opening.
  • the plastic film protects the luggage from humidity/rain and is an effective barrier capable of preserving the sanitary condition of the same.
  • the wrapper 1 comprises a frame 2 configured for containing, supporting and enabling to place on the ground at least some of the different components of the wrapper 1, which will be better described in the following.
  • Attached figures illustrate a preferred non-limiting configuration of the invention, which comprises a frame 2 formed by a single structure to which wrapper 1 components are associated.
  • the frame 2 comprises at least one housing portion 2a, an operative portion 2b and a connection portion 2c adapted to connect portions 2a and 2b.
  • connection portion 2c By observing for example Figures 1 and 2 , it is possible to note that housing portion 2a and operative portion are spaced and connected to each other by connection portion 2c.
  • frame 2 enables to structurally separate the working area - defined for example by the operative portion 2b - at which the article of luggage 100 will be processed, from containment area - defined for example by housing portion 2a - at which the instruments for controlling the wrapper 1 are for example engaged.
  • the housing portion 2a comprises a protection case defining a housing compartment 10 configured for containing and protecting the wrapper 1 components which will be better described in the following.
  • the housing portion 2a is provided with wheels 11 configured for enabling to place the wrapper 1 on the ground and simultaneously making easier its movement.
  • the wheels 11 are further configured for spacing wrapper 1 from the ground; the minimum distance between the ground and housing portion 2a of wrapper 1, measured normal to the ground, is greater than 30 mm, particularly is comprised between 60 and 120 mm. Obviously, these measures are given in an exemplifying and non-limiting way.
  • operative portion 2b substantially comprises a base 12 configured for supporting at least one article of luggage 100.
  • the base 12 is configured for enabling to correctly and stably position the article of luggage 100 on the operative portion 2b; for such reason, the base 12 substantially develops along a prevalent development plane and has a small height.
  • the operative portion 2b is also advantageously provided with wheels 11 configured for placing the wrapper 1 on the ground and facilitating its movement. As for the housing portion, the wheels 11 are further configured for spacing the operative portion from the ground.
  • the operative portion 2b wheels are removable or are replaced by a suitable movement device.
  • the operative portion is further provided with a plurality of feet 13 configured for making stable the wrapper 1 in the working area.
  • the feet 13 and wheels 11 define the minimum distance D1 ( Figures 5 , 6 and 7 ) of the operative portion from the ground which is greater than 30 mm, particularly is comprised between 60 and 120 mm.
  • the housing portion 2a and operative portion 2b are spaced from the ground by the same distance.
  • connection portion 2c substantially defines an extension of base 12 of operative portion 2b, which enables to connect this latter at a lower portion of the housing portion 2a.
  • connection portion 2c is configured for firmly connecting the operative portion 2b and housing portion in order to improve the stability of the entire wrapper 1.
  • the connection portion 2c is advantageously, but not in a limiting way, spaced from the ground by the same distance of the operative portion or housing portion; for example such distance is greater than 30 mm, particularly is comprised between 60 and 120 mm.
  • the wrapper 1 further comprises at least one reel 3 of a plastic material film, engaged with the frame 2.
  • the reel 3 is associated to housing portion 2a, particularly is engaged inside the housing compartment 10 of portion 2a.
  • the plastic film is configured for wrapping the article of luggage 100 for protecting it and ensuring its integrity when it is returned.
  • the used plastic film is substantially the same employed in the nowadays conventional wrapping machines.
  • the wrapper 1 can further (optionally) provide at least one spare reel 3a which is also received inside the housing compartment 10 of portion 2a.
  • the spare reel 3a can be used for quickly substituting reel 3 in the case the plastic film should finish.
  • the wrapper 1 further comprises at least one support device 4 engaged with frame 2 and carrying the reel 3: the support device 4 is configured for enabling to release the plastic film by unwinding the reel 3.
  • support device 4 comprises at least one pin 14 ( Figure 3 ) engaged inside a reel 3 seat: pin 14 is configured for supporting reel 3 and enabling it to rotate around an axis X. More particularly, the pin 14 is stably engaged inside reel 3 and is configured for rotating around axis X together with this latter: the reel 3 rotation enables to unwind it and progressively release the plastic film (to release a film band).
  • support device 4 comprises at least one motor 15 engaged with pin 14 and configured for rotating this latter around axis X.
  • support device 4 can be predisposed with a movement element 16 housed inside compartment 10.
  • the movement element 16 comprises at least one guide 17 extending, under conditions of use of wrapper 1 itself, along a substantially vertical direction.
  • the guide 17 carries at least one hooking element 18 slidingly movable along the guide 17 itself along a path T; the hooking element 18 is constrained to pin 14 carrying reel 3.
  • the reel 3 unwinding axis (axis X) and the guide 17 extension direction are substantially parallel. Moving the hooking element 18 along the guide 17 enables to move the reel 3 along the path T. Moving the reel 3 along the path T enables the film to completely wrap the article of luggage 100.
  • the movement element 16 comprises an activation device 19, for example an electric motor, configured for moving the hooking element 18 along the guide 17 (consequently, it causes the movement of reel 3).
  • this latter comprises a tensioning mechanism 20 ( Figure 3 ) substantially consisting of a series of rolls 21 configured for receiving the plastic film released by reel 3, and extending said film and possibly stretching it.
  • Stretching the plastic film besides optimizing its use generally makes the film stronger: de facto, the stretching process enables to orient the plastic film molecules by making the film more tensile resistant.
  • the plastic film stretch can be obtained in different ways.
  • a further variant of the embodiment can provide to move, particularly separate the rolls 21 from each other during the film passage (the rolls are spaced away from each other during the film passage). Otherwise, it is possible to directly brake the unwinding of reel 3 when the article of luggage 100 is wrapped with the film: in such condition, wrapping the article of luggage 100 will cause the film from reel 3 to stretch. As it is visible in the attached figures, the reel 3 and support device 4 are advantageously housed inside the portion 2a compartment 10.
  • the wrapper 1 further comprises a platform 5 associated to the frame 2 and rotatingly movable around an axis Y; the platform 5 is configured for abuttingly receiving an article of luggage 100 and rotating it around axis Y: the platform 5 rotation together with the plastic film unwinding are adapted to cover the article of luggage 100 with said plastic film.
  • the platform 5 comprises a rotating plate constrained to the operative portion 2b of the frame 2; de facto, the plate is hinged to the base 12 which provides the structural support to platform 5.
  • the wrapper 1 comprises an actuator 6, for example an electric motor, configured for rotating the platform 5 around axis Y.
  • the actuator 6 is constrained, particularly fixed, on a side to the operative portion 2b of frame 2, and on the other side, is engaged with platform 5; the arrangement shown in the attached figures illustrates a substantially direct connection between the actuator 6 and platform 5.
  • it is no excluded the possibility of associating the actuator 6 to the intermediate portion 2c or even to the housing portion 2a; under such conditions, it will be advantageous to provide transmission mechanisms adapted to connect the actuator 6 to the platform 5.
  • the actuator 6 implements the mechanic device rotating the platform 5.
  • the wrapper 1 further comprises a control unit 7 configured for commanding and controlling the actuator 6, and consequently the platform 5 rotation.
  • the control unit 7 is configured for sending a command signal to the actuator 6 for setting this latter in a working condition, in which said actuator 6 rotates the platform 5 at the wrapping angular velocity Va.
  • the wrapping velocity is substantially comprised between 0.3 and 1.5 round/sec, particularly is comprised between 0.4 and 1.1 round/sec.
  • the control unit 7 is configured for sending a blocking signal to actuator 6 for setting this latter in a stop condition in which said actuator 6 prevents the platform 5 from rotating.
  • the wrapping velocities are given in an exemplifying and non-limiting way for providing only a fair indication of typical operative velocities.
  • wrapper 1 object of the present invention, can be configured by the control unit (according to logics described in the following) in anyone of the following operative conditions:
  • the control unit 7 is configured for commanding the actuator 6 to set at least the above described wrapper 1 conditions.
  • Figure 3 schematically shows a control unit 7 substantially separated from the frame 2; in an arrangement of the invention, the control unit 7 can be associated to the frame 2 and particularly is placed inside the housing compartment 10 of portion 2a. In an alternative arrangement, the control unit 7 can be an unit distinct from the wrapper connected to the actuator and to further components of the wrapper by Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth networks.
  • the wrapper 1 further comprises at least one sensor 8 configured for monitoring a predetermined area at the platform 5 and generating at least one safety signal indicative of the presence or absence of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area; the sensor 8 is configured for sending to the control unit 7 said safety signal: the control unit 7 is configured for processing the safety signal for determining the existence of a risk condition and is further configured for modifying the wrapper 1 operative condition as a function of the received safety signal.
  • the risk condition, determined by the control unit 7, comprises at least one intervening condition determined by the detection, via the sensor 8, of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area at the platform 5, a monitoring condition determined by the absence of a detection, via the sensor 8, of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area at the platform 5.
  • the control unit 7 is configured for holding and/or changing the wrapper 1 operative condition, particularly by controlling the actuator 6.
  • the sensor 8 is engaged with the frame, particularly at the intermediate portion 2c or operative portion 2b.
  • the sensor 8 is engaged with the intermediate portion 2c.
  • the sensor 8 is engaged at a lower portion of intermediate portion 2c so that sensor 8 is at least partially placed in the area comprised between the ground and operative portion 2b.
  • the predetermined monitored area of sensor 8 extends along a prevalent development plane, under the conditions of use of wrapper itself, substantially horizontally: the sensor 8 monitoring plane is interposed between the ground and operative portion 2b.
  • the monitoring plane is particularly defined by the ground surface.
  • the senor 8 can advantageously comprise at least one of the following instruments: a 2D laser scanner, an optical sensor (for example a video camera), an ultrasonic sensor.
  • a 2D laser scanner for example a 2D laser scanner placed below the intermediate portion 2c.
  • the predetermined monitorable area of sensor 8 substantially defines a perimetral edge closed around the platform 5; the outer shape defined by the area perimetral edge is, in a non-limiting way, circular. However, it is not excluded the possibility that the sensor 8 could define an area having any shape, for example rectangular or elliptical.
  • the sensor 8 is configured for defining different zones of the predetermined area; particularly, sensor 8 is configured for detecting at least three areas: an external area E, an intermediate area I and an internal area A.
  • the outline of such areas (E, I, A) is illustrated in Figure 8 ; the external area E, representing the perimetral area, having the greatest extension which defines the contour of the predetermined area.
  • the intermediate area I is completely contained inside the external area E and is greater than internal area A.
  • the intermediate area I is substantially interposed between the external area E and internal area A. As it is visible, the internal area A is completely contained inside the intermediate area I (consequently completely contained inside the external area E) and represents the area inside which the platform 5 is housed.
  • All the areas (E, I, A) illustrated in the attached figures have, in a non-limiting way, a circular shape; particularly the internal area A is adapted to define a circle, while the intermediate area I and external area E define substantially annuli outside the internal area A.
  • the sensor 8 is adapted to define, for at least a portion of the intermediate area I, an operator zone O adjacent to platform 5: the operator zone O represents a portion of the intermediate area I placed, at least for a length, at the platform 5.
  • the operator zone O is substantially defined as a portion of the intermediate area I entering the internal area A for reaching platform 5: in such arrangement, the operator zone defines a kind of "slice" positioned adjacent to platform 5. It is noted that in such condition, an operator could easily work on the platform 5 directly from the operator zone O of the intermediate area I.
  • the internal area A is delimited by an outer perimeter ( Figure 8 ); the minimum distance, measured according to a top view normal to the area itself, between the outer perimeter of internal area A and platform 5 is comprised between 0 and 1,200 mm, particularly between 0 and 1,000 mm. From the point of view of the surface extension, internal area A shows an extension comprised between 0.1 and 2 m 2 , particularly between 0.15 and 0.5 m 2 .
  • the intermediate area I is also delimited by an outer perimeter ( Figure 8 ); the minimum distance, measured according to a top view normal to the area itself, between the outer perimeter of intermediate area I and platform 5 is comprised between 0 and 1,300 mm, particularly between 0 and 800 mm. From the point of view of the surface extension, the intermediate area I has an extension comprised between 1.5 and 8 m 2 , particularly between 2 and 5.5 m 2 .
  • the external area E is delimited by an outer perimeter; the minimum distance measured, according to a top view normal to the area itself, between the outer perimeter of external area E itself and platform 5, is comprised between 1,000 and 2,000 mm, particularly between 1,200 and 1,900 mm.
  • the external area E has an extension comprised between 4 and 13 m 2 , particularly between 5.2 and 12 m 2 . Also in this case, the dimensions of the areas are given in an exemplifying non limiting way for providing only a reasonable indication of typical amounts.
  • the same dimensions could be different as a function of requirements, for example as a function of specific safety requirements of a country (or airport) where the device will be installed.
  • the present description provides a specific external area E with a determined distance range from the platform. Indeed, the maximum distance of the area E from the platform could be infinite, in a sense that the internal A and intermediate areas I are the most important, and the maximum distance of external area E could be only limited by the maximum range of the sensor. However, we remember that the distance amounts, and also the areas and the shape of the same, are certainly modifiable according to the requirements.
  • control unit 7 is configured for determining the permanence of a risk condition and possibly for modifying the operative condition of the wrapper 1, by the intervening condition (in case of the monitoring condition, the control unit 7 holds the operative condition of the wrapper 1, particularly holds the actuator 6 in the working condition in which this latter rotates the platform at velocity Va). More particularly, the intervening condition of control unit comprises one or more of the following conditions:
  • the intermediate area I comprises an operator zone O at the platform: the operator zone O represents substantially the position of the operator assigned to the wrapper 1.
  • the operator can intervene on the article of luggage 100 because operator zone O is adjacent platform 5.
  • the luggage covering step requires at least the intervening initial step of an operator for starting wrapping the article of luggage; the operator zone O enables the operator to intervene on the article of luggage 100 while this latter rotates at a reduced velocity Vs (reduced velocity of platform 5).
  • the reduced angular velocity Vs is comprised between 0.05 and 0.08 round/sec, particularly between 0.2 and 0.4 round/sec (obviously, the rotation velocities could be different in the real operative scenario of the device, and also different from machine to machine as a function of the needs). Further, it is observed that the access of persons and/or objects into the intermediate area I is a potential risk for these latter; slowing down the platform 5 and/or signaling by visual and/or acoustic elements can avoid the risk of contacting the platform by these latter.
  • Control unit 7, following the determination of a danger condition is configured for commanding at least one of the following conditions: an alarm condition and a stop condition.
  • the wrapper 1, in such condition, is adapted to emit signals, as hereinbefore discussed (visual and/or acoustic means) and/or to start stopping the platform 5: the platform 5 switches from angular velocity Va and/or Vs to the stop condition.
  • the danger condition provides only the stop condition of platform 5.
  • the internal area A represents the zone immediately adjacent platform 5: the access of persons and/or objects in the internal area represents a high risk of contacting the platform by these latter. For this reason, control unit 7 determines the visual and/or acoustic signals - or the complete stop of the platform 5.
  • control unit 7 is further configured for determining a malfunctioning condition in which the unit commands at least one of the following conditions: an alarm condition and a stop condition.
  • a danger situation can occur in case of fail of sensor 8; for such reason, the wrapper 1 causes the sensor 8 to continuously send the safety signal. In case of a malfunction of the sensor, this latter is not capable of communicating with control unit: in absence of a signal, the unit commands a visual and/or acoustic signal and/or commands the wrapper to stop. In a preferred but non-limiting arrangement of the invention, the wrapper 1, in case of malfunction of sensor 8, causes the platform to stop.
  • the wrapper 1 can further comprise at least one detector 9, comprising, for example, an optical sensor and/or an ultrasonic sensor, which can be used as an element assisting the sensor 8.
  • the detector 9 can be associated to the frame 2, particularly it can be engaged with the housing portion 2a, facing the operative portion 2b.
  • the wrapper 1 further comprises a support device 4 adapted to move the reel along the path T for enabling to correctly wrapping the article of luggage 100.
  • the detector 9 is configured for monitoring the size of the article of luggage 100 placed on the platform 5 particularly with reference to the platform height measured along the rotation axis Y of the same.
  • the detector 9 is further configured for generating at least one control signal indicating the maximum height M of the article of luggage 100.
  • the detector 9 is advantageously connected to the control unit 7 which is configured for receiving and processing the control signal from detector 9 for determining the maximum height M of the article of luggage 100.
  • the control unit 7 is further advantageously connected to the activation device 19 adapted to move the reel along the path T.
  • Control unit 7 following the determination of the maximum height M, is configured for comparing such height with a reference height and executing at least one of the following operations. If the maximum height M is less than or equal to the reference height, the support device 4 is commanded to remain at a minimum height position in which the plastic film is placed at platform 5. On the contrary, if the maximum height M is greater than the reference height, control unit 7 commands to device 4, particularly device 19, an alternative movement along the prevalent development direction T so that the plastic film could reach the maximum height M and covering the whole article of luggage 100.
  • the wrapper 1 comprises a series of components, advantageously connected to control unit 7, for example payment means 22 (cash, POS system), printers 23 for possible receipts and labels to be applied on the article of luggage 100, emergency pushbuttons 24 for stopping the machine, safety systems 25 (biometrics, RFID, password readers) and possibly a command screen 26 (for example a LCD screen and/or a touch-screen) for displaying the machine status, and also for setting the machine and commanding the article of luggage 100 wrapping.
  • payment means 22 cash, POS system
  • printers 23 for possible receipts and labels to be applied on the article of luggage 100
  • emergency pushbuttons 24 for stopping the machine
  • safety systems 25 biometrics, RFID, password readers
  • a command screen 26 for example a LCD screen and/or a touch-screen
  • the machine is set in a stand-by state in which platform 5 is static ( Figure 12 ).
  • the operator P can load the article of luggage 100 on platform 5, particularly on base 12.
  • the process can comprise a step of weighing the article of luggage 100 and a step of displaying, by means of the LCD screen 26, the machine status (wrapper stopped, weight of the article of luggage 100).
  • the sensor 8 (detecting system) is active and detects the presence of operator P inside the intermediate area I (particularly inside the operator zone O) or inside the internal area A.
  • the stand-by condition can be activated and deactivated by operator P by the control unit 7: in such a condition it is not possible to predispose the wrapper 1 in the working condition (the platform 5 is hold still as long as the operator starts it - Figure 12 ).
  • the operator P checks the stability of the article of luggage 100 on the plate or platform 5 and grips the leading end of the plastic film for starting the process.
  • the operator starts the process (the stand-by mode is deactivated).
  • the operator is inside zone O and starts guiding the film during the film wrapping cycle.
  • the wrapper 1 remains in the alarm condition and platform rotates at velocity Vs (reduced velocity - Figure 12 ).
  • the control unit 7 detects that nobody, neither the operator, nor other persons, are inside the internal area A and intermediate area I and enables to increase the velocity to the angular velocity Va.
  • the control unit 7 measures, via detector 9, the height of the article of luggage 100 and possibly operates the activation device 19 for alternatively moving the reel 3 along the guide 17.
  • the first cycle ends after some rounds at velocity Va, at a constant height ( Figure 13 ).
  • this latter is configured for monitoring the predetermined area at the platform 5 in order to check the presence or absence of one or more persons and/or objects inside said area.
  • the sensor 8 is configured for monitoring the predetermined area adjacent the platform 5 which, as previously discussed, comprised the external area E, the intermediate area I and internal area A.
  • the sensor 8 generates a safety signal and sends it to the control unit 7 which processes said signal for determining the existence of a risk condition which comprises a monitoring and intervening conditions ( Figure 15 ).
  • control unit 7 Upon checking the monitoring condition, control unit 7 does not modify the operative condition of the wrapper, particularly continues to monitor the predetermined area.
  • the control unit 7 is on the contrary configured for modifying the operative condition of wrapper 1 ( Figure 15 ). More specifically, the intervening condition comprises one or more of the following conditions:
  • wrapper 1 can be stopped ( Figure 13 ) for enabling the operator to rotate the article of luggage 100 (article of luggage rotation of 90° or 180°).
  • Such stopping step is substantially the same as the stand-by step: the platform 5 is still and the operator can intervene on the article of luggage 100 from the internal area A and/or from operator zone O.
  • the operator presses the start pushbutton of the second cycle and leaves the platform outside the intermediate area I ( Figures 13 and 14 ).
  • the second wrapping cycle starts at velocity Vs.
  • the plate increases the velocity to Va as long as the operator leaves the intermediate area I and executes the wrapping rounds without the operator intervention.
  • the second cycle continues with the plate or platform 5 rotation at velocity Va and is completed after a predetermined number of rounds ( Figure 14 ). Then, the machine stops and the operator cut the film and picks up the article of luggage 100.
  • sensor 8 is configured for monitoring the area adjacent the platform.
  • control unit 7 prevents the wrapper from operating and sets it in the stop condition.
  • sensor 8 detects the surrounding area; in case there are one or more persons and/or objects inside the external area E, control unit 7 commands at least the alarm condition. If the sensor 8 detects one or more persons and/or objects inside the intermediate area I, control unit 7 commands the alarm condition and/or slow-down condition. Preferably, the control unit 7 commands the platform 5 to slow down.
  • sensor 8 detects the surrounding area; in case there are one or more persons and/or objects inside the internal area A, control unit 7 commands the stop condition, particularly commands the platform 5 to stop. Further, the process can comprise a stop condition in case two or more persons are detected by the control unit 7 inside the internal area A. Further, the process provides to continuously send, from sensor 8, the safety signal to control unit 7; without such signal, the control unit 7 is configured for commanding the attention and/or stop conditions. Such configuration enables to prevent unwanted mishaps in case of a sensor fail.
  • the monitoring and control steps of the predetermined area can be performed at least during the wrapper working condition and/or at least during the steps wherein the operator P intervenes on the article of luggage 100: in the monitoring/control condition, sensor and control unit substantially continuously communicate for checking the presence or absence of persons and/or objects in the predetermined area. More particularly, control unit 7 substantially continuously receives the safety signal of sensor 8.
  • the wrapper 1 is configured for executing steps of monitoring and processing the safety signal ( Figures 15 and 16 ), continuously and parallel to the process of wrapping the article of luggage 100; in such condition checking the presence or absence of persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area is always active.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
EP15161199.3A 2014-03-27 2015-03-26 Halbautomatischer gepäckumwickler und sicheres verfahren zur umwicklung davon Pending EP2923956A1 (de)

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Cited By (4)

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IT201600080784A1 (it) * 2016-08-01 2018-02-01 Atlanta Stretch S P A Apparecchiatura per l’avvolgimento di prodotti con un film di materiale estensibile
ES2759305A1 (es) * 2019-11-21 2020-05-08 Controlpack Systems S L Maquina envolvedora de cargas paletizadas
CN113044270A (zh) * 2021-03-03 2021-06-29 高朝奇 一种自动调节打包层数的打包机
CN114476260A (zh) * 2022-02-18 2022-05-13 江苏国范智能科技有限公司 一种基于视觉的服装标识判别与剔除装置

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106697366B (zh) * 2016-12-21 2023-03-14 福德机器人（成都）有限责任公司 一种玻纤纱团包膜机
CN106742286A (zh) * 2017-03-24 2017-05-31 武汉瑞拓德智能科技有限公司 一种移动式码垛搬运平台
JP2024508704A (ja) * 2021-02-12 2024-02-28 ロジャー フィリップス 自律型のギフト包装機

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US5365723A (en) * 1991-04-16 1994-11-22 Ramos Enrique A Portable baggage wrapping apparatus
WO2002028719A1 (en) * 2000-10-05 2002-04-11 Fly Srl Control system for package wrapping machines
EP1717149A1 (de) * 2005-04-21 2006-11-02 Atlanta Stretch s.p.a. Vorrichtung für die Platzierung eines Deckblattes über die Oberseite von palettierten Lasten während der Verpackung mit Dehnfolie
FR2948338A1 (fr) * 2009-07-22 2011-01-28 Deo Wrap Service Dispositif d'arret du bras tournant d'une banderoleuse a potence

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201600080784A1 (it) * 2016-08-01 2018-02-01 Atlanta Stretch S P A Apparecchiatura per l’avvolgimento di prodotti con un film di materiale estensibile
ES2759305A1 (es) * 2019-11-21 2020-05-08 Controlpack Systems S L Maquina envolvedora de cargas paletizadas
CN113044270A (zh) * 2021-03-03 2021-06-29 高朝奇 一种自动调节打包层数的打包机
CN113044270B (zh) * 2021-03-03 2023-09-22 威海华友节能科技有限公司 一种自动调节打包层数的打包机
CN114476260A (zh) * 2022-02-18 2022-05-13 江苏国范智能科技有限公司 一种基于视觉的服装标识判别与剔除装置
CN114476260B (zh) * 2022-02-18 2023-07-18 江苏国范智能科技有限公司 一种基于视觉的服装标识判别与剔除装置

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