GB1264917A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,264,917. Wrapping articles. J. B. DOVE Inc. 20 April, 1970 [12 May, 1969], No. 18717/70. Heading B8C. Apparatus for wrapping articles A in stretchable film F, includes (a) support means 10 for supporting a series of articles partially wrapped in tubular manner with stretchable film, the open ends of which project laterally in both directions beyond opposite sides of the articles, (b) carrier means 74, 76 for transporting the series of partially-wrapped articles in succession along the support means; and (c) a film stretching station, the station including: (c-1) a pair of endless gripper chains 18, 20 disposed in vertical relation, one above the other, at each side of the support means; (c-2) track means for each of the gripper chains maintaining the upper reach of the lower chain in continuous interleaved interlocking pressure engagement with the lower reach of the upper chain; (c-3) means for driving the gripper chains at a speed related to that of the carrier means; (c-4) the gripper chains operating to grip the ends of the projecting portions of the film and to pull the same diagonally downward and forward in substantially vertical planes to progressively stretch the film over the article; (c-5) the portion of the film which is gripped by the chains following a tortuous path through the interleaved interlocking chains, whereby the film ends are pressuregripped tightly by the chains. As shown, the rollers 10 are supported in brackets, the outer leg 41B of each of which carries a ledge for the adjacent projecting end PF of the film. The gripper chains 18, 20, one or both of which may be driven, are spring- loaded into interengaging relationship and pull the film at each side of the article diagonally downwardly in a plane substantially normal to the path of movement of the articles A through the machine, the arrangement being such that when the ends PF of the film enter the nip N between the chains 18, 20 the leg 41B of bracket 41 forces the film from the bottom of the article to follow a path upwardly along the sides of the article, then across the upper edge of the bracket leg 41B arid downwardly to the nip N. The film ends PF engage under an upstanding leg 122 and are subsequently urged progressively inwardly by wedge-shaped supports and folders 22 before the articles are moved on to an endless belt 110 where they are heat-sealed at a station 114 and subsequently cooled at a station 116. The articles are held on their supports by weighted rollers 89. The effective width of the machine is adjustable to deal with articles of different sizes.