US20220169468A1 - Stretch wrap film carriage - Google Patents
Stretch wrap film carriage Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220169468A1 US20220169468A1 US17/106,622 US202017106622A US2022169468A1 US 20220169468 A1 US20220169468 A1 US 20220169468A1 US 202017106622 A US202017106622 A US 202017106622A US 2022169468 A1 US2022169468 A1 US 2022169468A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- stretch
- film
- assembly
- base
- wrap
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- 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
- B65B11/02—Wrapping articles or quantities of material, without changing their position during the wrapping operation, e.g. in moulds with hinged folders
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H23/00—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs
- B65H23/04—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally
- B65H23/18—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally by controlling or regulating the web-advancing mechanism, e.g. mechanism acting on the running web
- B65H23/182—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally by controlling or regulating the web-advancing mechanism, e.g. mechanism acting on the running web in unwinding mechanisms or in connection with unwinding operations
- B65H23/1825—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally by controlling or regulating the web-advancing mechanism, e.g. mechanism acting on the running web in unwinding mechanisms or in connection with unwinding operations and controlling web tension
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- 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
- B65B11/02—Wrapping articles or quantities of material, without changing their position during the wrapping operation, e.g. in moulds with hinged folders
- B65B11/025—Wrapping articles or quantities of material, without changing their position during the wrapping operation, e.g. in moulds with hinged folders by webs revolving around stationary articles
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- 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
- B65B2011/002—Prestretching mechanism in wrapping machines
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- 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
- B65B2210/00—Specific aspects of the packaging machine
- B65B2210/14—Details of wrapping machines with web dispensers for application of a continuous web in layers onto the articles
- B65B2210/20—Details of wrapping machines with web dispensers for application of a continuous web in layers onto the articles the web dispenser being mounted on a rotary arm
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
- B65H2701/1944—Wrapping or packing material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/81—Packaging machines
Definitions
- the present invention concerns stretch wrapping machines, and more particularly relates to a carriage for a stretch wrapping machine.
- An aspect of the present invention is to provide a carriage for a stretch wrap assembly comprising a base, a top housing, a pre-stretch assembly located between the base and the top housing, with the pre-stretch assembly including a plurality of pre-stretch rollers, and a gear system located for rotating the pre-stretch rollers at a desired relative speed for stretching stretch wrap passing through the pre-stretch assembly.
- the base has a top surface and the plurality of pre-stretch rollers extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface such that axes of rotation of the plurality of pre-stretch rollers are substantially perpendicular to the top surface.
- the base further includes a source of stretch wrap extension platform extending laterally from a main portion of the base, with the source of stretch wrap extension platform not being located under the top housing.
- the source of stretch wrap extension platform has an upper surface and a mandrel extending substantially perpendicularly from the upper surface.
- the mandrel is configured to receive a roll of stretch wrap thereon such that an axis of rotation of the roll of stretch wrap is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the source of stretch wrap extension platform.
- the upper surface of the source of stretch wrap extension platform is located below the top surface of the base such that a bottom of the roll of stretch wrap can be located below a bottom of the plurality of pre-stretch.
- Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a carriage for a stretch wrap assembly comprising a base, a top housing, a pre-stretch assembly located between the base and the top housing, with the pre-stretch assembly including a plurality of pre-stretch rollers, and a gear system located for rotating the pre-stretch rollers at a desired relative speed for stretching stretch wrap passing through the pre-stretch assembly.
- the base has a top surface and the plurality of pre-stretch extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface such that axes of rotation of the plurality of pre-stretch rollers are substantially perpendicular to the top surface.
- the base further includes a source of stretch wrap extension platform extending laterally from a main portion of the base.
- the source of stretch wrap extension platform has a mandrel extending substantially perpendicularly from an upper surface thereof, with the mandrel configured to receive a roll of stretch wrap thereon such that an axis of rotation of the roll of stretch wrap is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the source of stretch wrap extension platform.
- the carriage further includes a roping bar located between the mandrel and the pre-stretch assembly, the roping bar being configured to such that a bottom of the film extending between the roll of stretch wrap and the pre-stretch assembly forces the bottom upward to form the film into a bottom roping portion before the film enters the pre-stretch assembly.
- Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of roping at least a portion of stretch wrap film, the method comprising providing a carriage having a base, a top housing, and a pre-stretch assembly located between the base and the top housing; placing a roll of stretch wrap on the base; pulling film from the roll of stretch wrap through the carriage; pre-stretching the film passing through the carriage with the pre-stretch assembly; and roping at least a bottom portion of the film from the roll of stretch wrap at a location between the roll of stretch wrap and the pre-stretch assembly.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a wrap machine of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a side view of a prior art carriage of a prior art wrap machine.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carriage of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a front view of the carriage of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the carriage of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a front view of the carriage of the present invention forming a roped or creased area on film.
- FIG. 7 is a front view of the carriage of the present invention with a support block to prevent forming the roped or creased area on the film.
- FIG. 8 is a front view of the carriage of the present invention on a support column.
- the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as orientated in FIG. 1 .
- the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary.
- the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
- the reference number 10 ( FIG. 1 ) generally designates a wrap machine of the present invention.
- the wrap machine 10 includes a base 14 having a rotatable arm 12 connected thereto.
- the wrap machine 10 further includes a carriage 24 vertically movable on the rotatable arm 12 for wrapping a product 28 on a pallet 32 located on the ground 30 .
- the carriage 24 carries a roll of stretch wrap film 26 a for wrapping the product 28 and could also be used for wrapping an upper end of the pallet 32 .
- the present invention is drawn to the carriage 24 , which can be used on any wrap machine 10 , including a portable wrap machine as shown.
- An example of a portable wrap machine is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
- the base 14 is movable and carriage 24 is moved about the product on the rotatable arm 12 .
- the carriage 24 as disclosed herein can also be used in a wrap machine that does not have a movable base such that the product is moved to adjacent the base and the rotatable arm and carriage is rotated about the product to wrap the product.
- Such stationary wrap machines are well known to those skilled in the art.
- the carriage 24 as disclosed herein can be used with a wrap machine that includes a stationary column that has a carriage movable vertically thereon wherein the product is turned on a turntable to wrap the product.
- wrap machines with turntables are well known to those skilled in the art.
- An example of a stationary wrap machine with a turntable is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,166,732 entitled STRETCH WRAP MACHINE WITH TOP CORNER FILM TRANSFER, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art carriage 50 .
- the prior art carriage 50 includes a top support 52 and a base 54 having a main portion 66 with an upper surface 56 .
- the prior art carriage 50 includes a pre-stretch assembly 58 including a plurality of rollers extending between the base 54 and the top support 52 , including pre-stretch rollers 60 , a diverter roller 62 , a dancer roller 64 , nip rollers (not shown) for holding film against the pre-stretch rollers 60 and idle rollers (not shown).
- the base 54 includes the main portion 66 supporting the pre-stretch assembly 58 and a source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 extending laterally from the main portion 66 of the base 54 .
- the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 includes a stretch wrap mandrel 70 extending upward vertically from an upper surface 72 of the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 of the base 54 .
- the upper surface 56 of the main portion 66 and the upper surface 72 of the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 are level and contiguous.
- a roll of stretch wrap film 26 (shown in phantom in FIG. 2 ) comprising film 76 wrapped about a center tube 78 is inserted over the stretch wrap mandrel 70 with the mandrel 70 closely fitting within the tube 78 of the roll of stretch wrap film 26 .
- the roll of stretch wrap film 26 comes to rest on the upper surface 72 of the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 of the base 54 .
- the film 76 of the roll of stretch wrap film 26 unrolls from the center tube 78 and is threaded through the pre-stretch assembly 58 to stretch the film 76 before the film 76 is wrapped about the product 28 .
- the pre-stretch assembly 58 also includes a gear system (not shown in FIG.
- the upper surface 56 of the main portion 66 and the upper surface 72 of the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 are level and contiguous such that the base 54 supports both the stretch wrap mandrel 70 , the pre-stretch rollers 60 and the remaining rollers on a level plane.
- the center tube 78 along with the film 76 thereon of the roll of stretch wrap film 26 also rest on the upper surface 72 of the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 of the base 54 . Therefore, the film 76 from the roll of stretch wrap film 26 that enters the pre-stretch assembly 58 of the prior art carriage 50 is substantially parallel to the axes of rotation of the rollers of the pre-stretch assembly 58 and is flat without any creases.
- the carriage 24 of the present invention ( FIGS. 3-7 ) is substantially identical to the prior art carriage 50 .
- identical parts from the prior art carriage 50 included in the carriage 24 of the present invention are represented by the same, corresponding reference number, except for the suffix “a” in the numerals of the FIGS. 3-7 .
- the carriage 24 of the present invention allows for roping of a bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a from the roll of stretch wrap film 26 a that enters the pre-stretch assembly 58 a, thereby creating a roped or creased area 102 at the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a (see FIG. 6 ).
- the illustrated carriage 24 of the present invention can provide for the roped or creased area 102 at the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a in several manners.
- the upper surface 72 a of the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a can be located below the upper surface 56 a of the main portion 66 a of the base 54 a having the pre-stretch assembly 58 a.
- the carriage 24 can include a film bottom roping bar 200 that engages the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a from the roll of stretch wrap film 26 a before the film 76 a enters the pre-stretch assembly 58 a.
- the carriage 24 could include both the upper surface 72 a of the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a being lower than the upper surface 56 a of the main portion 66 a of the base 54 a and the film bottom roping bar 200 .
- the illustrated source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a includes a stretch wrap mandrel 70 a for holding the roll of stretch wrap film 26 a (see FIG. 6 ).
- the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a can be any platform wherein the bottom of the film 76 a leaving the roll of stretch wrap film 26 a is located below the upper surface 56 a of the main portion 66 a of the base 54 a.
- the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a includes a plate 104 having the upper surface 72 a .
- the plate 104 can be connected or formed from the base 54 a of the carriage 24 a and is configured such that the upper surface 72 a is located below the upper surface 56 a of the main portion 66 a of the base 54 a.
- the plate 104 can include strengthening flanges 106 extending downwardly from the edges of the plate 104 for strength.
- the stretch wrap mandrel 70 a extends upward and perpendicularly from the plate 104 and is configured to hold the roll of stretch wrap film 26 a thereon.
- the stretch wrap mandrel 70 a includes a fixed post 108 , a bottom wheel 110 and a top wheel 112 .
- the bottom wheel 110 and the top wheel 112 are rotatable upon the fixed post 108 .
- the bottom wheel 110 and the top wheel 112 have approximately the same diameter and are configured to closely receive the center tube 78 a of the roll of stretch wrap film 26 a to allow the roll of stretch wrap film 26 a to easily rotate.
- the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a having the upper surface 72 a being lower than the upper surface 56 a of the main portion 66 a of the base 54 a allows the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a to form the roped or creased area 102 as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a on the center tube 78 is directly adjacent or abutting the upper surface 72 a of the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a.
- the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a is moved upward to move over the upper surface 56 a of the main portion 66 a of the base 54 a, thereby forming the roped or creased area 102 .
- the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a could abut any surface between the upper surface 72 a of the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a and the upper surface 56 a of the main portion 66 a of the base 54 a.
- such surface could be merely a ledge between the two upper surfaces 56 a, 72 a.
- the surface could also be on the film bottom roping bar 200 .
- the film bottom roping bar 200 (see FIG.
- the arm 204 can be stationary (as shown) or can be pivotally connected to the primary plate portion 202 (and can have, for example, a circular cross-sectional shape (i.e., a roller)).
- the film bottom roping bar 200 could be the sole mechanism for forming the roped or creased area 102 .
- the arm 204 of the film bottom roping bar 200 could force the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a upward to form the roped or creased area 102 .
- the film bottom roping bar 200 could be made to be easily removable (e.g., through a wing nut connection) or could be made to be vertically adjustable to control the amount of the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a that is made into the roped or creased area 102 .
- the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a could be configured to be vertically adjustably connected to the main portion 66 of the base 54 a to control the amount of the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 a that is made into the roped or creased area 102 .
- FIG. 7 illustrates a system for not forming the roped or creased area 102 when the film bottom roping bar 200 and/or the unlevel surfaces 56 a, 72 a are employed.
- a support disc 300 can be placed over the mandrel 70 a before the roll of stretch wrap film 26 a is over the mandrel 70 a.
- the support disc 300 supports the center tube 78 a and the rest of the roll of stretch wrap film 26 a above the upper surface 72 a of the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a. Therefore, the bottom portion 100 of the film 76 does not form the roped or creased area 102 before entering the pre-stretch assembly 58 a.
- the support disc 300 can be a closed ring inserted over the mandrel 70 a, donut shaped to be allowed to be slid laterally onto the mandrel 70 a (or selectively removed or added, for example, after the wrapping of the product has begun). It is further contemplated that the support disc 300 could be recessed into the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 a and either manually or automatically raised and lowered.
- the pre-stretch rollers 60 a can include a cylindrical lower area 400 that is harder than the remaining portion of the pre-stretch rollers 60 a and having the same diameter to ensure that the rope portion 102 of the film 76 a does not permanently indent the grip face of the pre-stretch rollers 60 a.
- the lower area 400 can be made of metal (e.g., aluminum).
- the carriage 24 can be tilted relative to the rotatable arm 12 and a ground surface 500 such that a dancer roller 502 (the last roller before the film 76 a leaves the carriage 24 ) is closer to the ground 500 than the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 .
- the rope portion 102 can be wrapped about a product very close to the ground 500 and, if used, about a pallet holding the goods to be wrapped.
- the tilt also allows the source of stretch wrap extension platform 68 to be lower than the main portion 66 a of the base 54 a as outlined above.
Abstract
A carriage for a stretch wrap assembly including a base, a top housing, and a pre-stretch assembly. A bottom portion of the film is formed into a roped or creased portion between an area wherein the film leaves a roll of stretch wrap and the pre-stretch assembly.
Description
- The present invention concerns stretch wrapping machines, and more particularly relates to a carriage for a stretch wrapping machine.
- During the past several decades, considerable developments have been made in the field of wrapping a load with a stretched web of film. Most notably, the film web dispenser used in stretch wrapping operations has developed to the extent that it contains a series of rollers which defines a path through which the web passes so that it can be prestretched prior to being dispensed on the load. However, those in the field are continuously looking for means for forming a better wrap about a product.
- An aspect of the present invention is to provide a carriage for a stretch wrap assembly comprising a base, a top housing, a pre-stretch assembly located between the base and the top housing, with the pre-stretch assembly including a plurality of pre-stretch rollers, and a gear system located for rotating the pre-stretch rollers at a desired relative speed for stretching stretch wrap passing through the pre-stretch assembly. The base has a top surface and the plurality of pre-stretch rollers extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface such that axes of rotation of the plurality of pre-stretch rollers are substantially perpendicular to the top surface. The base further includes a source of stretch wrap extension platform extending laterally from a main portion of the base, with the source of stretch wrap extension platform not being located under the top housing. The source of stretch wrap extension platform has an upper surface and a mandrel extending substantially perpendicularly from the upper surface. The mandrel is configured to receive a roll of stretch wrap thereon such that an axis of rotation of the roll of stretch wrap is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the source of stretch wrap extension platform. The upper surface of the source of stretch wrap extension platform is located below the top surface of the base such that a bottom of the roll of stretch wrap can be located below a bottom of the plurality of pre-stretch.
- Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a carriage for a stretch wrap assembly comprising a base, a top housing, a pre-stretch assembly located between the base and the top housing, with the pre-stretch assembly including a plurality of pre-stretch rollers, and a gear system located for rotating the pre-stretch rollers at a desired relative speed for stretching stretch wrap passing through the pre-stretch assembly. The base has a top surface and the plurality of pre-stretch extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface such that axes of rotation of the plurality of pre-stretch rollers are substantially perpendicular to the top surface. The base further includes a source of stretch wrap extension platform extending laterally from a main portion of the base. The source of stretch wrap extension platform has a mandrel extending substantially perpendicularly from an upper surface thereof, with the mandrel configured to receive a roll of stretch wrap thereon such that an axis of rotation of the roll of stretch wrap is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the source of stretch wrap extension platform. The carriage further includes a roping bar located between the mandrel and the pre-stretch assembly, the roping bar being configured to such that a bottom of the film extending between the roll of stretch wrap and the pre-stretch assembly forces the bottom upward to form the film into a bottom roping portion before the film enters the pre-stretch assembly.
- Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of roping at least a portion of stretch wrap film, the method comprising providing a carriage having a base, a top housing, and a pre-stretch assembly located between the base and the top housing; placing a roll of stretch wrap on the base; pulling film from the roll of stretch wrap through the carriage; pre-stretching the film passing through the carriage with the pre-stretch assembly; and roping at least a bottom portion of the film from the roll of stretch wrap at a location between the roll of stretch wrap and the pre-stretch assembly.
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FIG. 1 is a side view of a wrap machine of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a side view of a prior art carriage of a prior art wrap machine. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carriage of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is a front view of the carriage of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the carriage of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a front view of the carriage of the present invention forming a roped or creased area on film. -
FIG. 7 is a front view of the carriage of the present invention with a support block to prevent forming the roped or creased area on the film. -
FIG. 8 is a front view of the carriage of the present invention on a support column. - For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as orientated in
FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. - The reference number 10 (
FIG. 1 ) generally designates a wrap machine of the present invention. Thewrap machine 10 includes abase 14 having arotatable arm 12 connected thereto. Thewrap machine 10 further includes acarriage 24 vertically movable on therotatable arm 12 for wrapping aproduct 28 on apallet 32 located on theground 30. Thecarriage 24 carries a roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a for wrapping theproduct 28 and could also be used for wrapping an upper end of thepallet 32. The present invention is drawn to thecarriage 24, which can be used on anywrap machine 10, including a portable wrap machine as shown. An example of a portable wrap machine is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/569,170 entitled PORTABLE WRAPPING MACHINE, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the portable wrap machine, thebase 14 is movable andcarriage 24 is moved about the product on therotatable arm 12. It is contemplated that thecarriage 24 as disclosed herein can also be used in a wrap machine that does not have a movable base such that the product is moved to adjacent the base and the rotatable arm and carriage is rotated about the product to wrap the product. Such stationary wrap machines are well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is contemplated that thecarriage 24 as disclosed herein can be used with a wrap machine that includes a stationary column that has a carriage movable vertically thereon wherein the product is turned on a turntable to wrap the product. Such wrap machines with turntables are well known to those skilled in the art. An example of a stationary wrap machine with a turntable is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,166,732 entitled STRETCH WRAP MACHINE WITH TOP CORNER FILM TRANSFER, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. -
FIG. 2 illustrates aprior art carriage 50. Theprior art carriage 50 includes atop support 52 and abase 54 having amain portion 66 with anupper surface 56. Theprior art carriage 50 includes apre-stretch assembly 58 including a plurality of rollers extending between thebase 54 and thetop support 52, including pre-stretchrollers 60, adiverter roller 62, adancer roller 64, nip rollers (not shown) for holding film against thepre-stretch rollers 60 and idle rollers (not shown). Such pre-stretchassembly 58, pre-stretchrollers 60, thediverter roller 62, thedancer roller 64, the nip rollers and the idle rollers and their function are well known to those skilled in the art. Thebase 54 includes themain portion 66 supporting thepre-stretch assembly 58 and a source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 extending laterally from themain portion 66 of thebase 54. The source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 includes astretch wrap mandrel 70 extending upward vertically from anupper surface 72 of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 of thebase 54. In theprior art carriage 50, theupper surface 56 of themain portion 66 and theupper surface 72 of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 are level and contiguous. - A roll of stretch wrap film 26 (shown in phantom in
FIG. 2 ) comprisingfilm 76 wrapped about acenter tube 78 is inserted over thestretch wrap mandrel 70 with themandrel 70 closely fitting within thetube 78 of the roll of stretch wrap film 26. The roll of stretch wrap film 26 comes to rest on theupper surface 72 of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 of thebase 54. During use, thefilm 76 of the roll of stretch wrap film 26 unrolls from thecenter tube 78 and is threaded through thepre-stretch assembly 58 to stretch thefilm 76 before thefilm 76 is wrapped about theproduct 28. Thepre-stretch assembly 58 also includes a gear system (not shown inFIG. 2 ) that connects to thepre-stretch rollers 60 and an endless link connected to the gear system that rotates the pre-stretchrollers 60 at different speeds and/or the pre-stretchrollers 60 have different diameters to stretch the film in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. An example of a prior art carriage is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,908,830 entitled CARRIAGE FOR A STRETCH WRAPPING MACHINE, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. - In the
prior art carriage 50, theupper surface 56 of themain portion 66 and theupper surface 72 of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 are level and contiguous such that thebase 54 supports both thestretch wrap mandrel 70, the pre-stretchrollers 60 and the remaining rollers on a level plane. Thecenter tube 78 along with thefilm 76 thereon of the roll of stretch wrap film 26 also rest on theupper surface 72 of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 of thebase 54. Therefore, thefilm 76 from the roll of stretch wrap film 26 that enters thepre-stretch assembly 58 of theprior art carriage 50 is substantially parallel to the axes of rotation of the rollers of thepre-stretch assembly 58 and is flat without any creases. - In the illustrated example, the
carriage 24 of the present invention (FIGS. 3-7 ) is substantially identical to theprior art carriage 50. InFIGS. 3-7 , identical parts from theprior art carriage 50 included in thecarriage 24 of the present invention are represented by the same, corresponding reference number, except for the suffix “a” in the numerals of theFIGS. 3-7 . Thecarriage 24 of the present invention allows for roping of abottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a from the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a that enters thepre-stretch assembly 58 a, thereby creating a roped or creasedarea 102 at thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a (seeFIG. 6 ). - The illustrated
carriage 24 of the present invention can provide for the roped or creasedarea 102 at thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a in several manners. For example, theupper surface 72 a of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 a can be located below theupper surface 56 a of themain portion 66 a of the base 54 a having thepre-stretch assembly 58 a. Alternatively, thecarriage 24 can include a filmbottom roping bar 200 that engages thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a from the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a before thefilm 76 a enters thepre-stretch assembly 58 a. Moreover, it is contemplated that thecarriage 24 could include both theupper surface 72 a of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 a being lower than theupper surface 56 a of themain portion 66 a of the base 54 a and the filmbottom roping bar 200. - The illustrated source of stretch
wrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a includes astretch wrap mandrel 70 a for holding the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a (seeFIG. 6 ). In one embodiment, the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 a can be any platform wherein the bottom of thefilm 76 a leaving the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a is located below theupper surface 56 a of themain portion 66 a of the base 54 a. As shown inFIGS. 3-7 , the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 a includes aplate 104 having theupper surface 72 a. Theplate 104 can be connected or formed from the base 54 a of the carriage 24 a and is configured such that theupper surface 72 a is located below theupper surface 56 a of themain portion 66 a of the base 54 a. Theplate 104 can include strengtheningflanges 106 extending downwardly from the edges of theplate 104 for strength. - In the illustrated example, the
stretch wrap mandrel 70 a extends upward and perpendicularly from theplate 104 and is configured to hold the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a thereon. Thestretch wrap mandrel 70 a includes a fixedpost 108, abottom wheel 110 and atop wheel 112. Thebottom wheel 110 and thetop wheel 112 are rotatable upon the fixedpost 108. Thebottom wheel 110 and thetop wheel 112 have approximately the same diameter and are configured to closely receive thecenter tube 78 a of the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a to allow the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a to easily rotate. - The source of stretch
wrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a having theupper surface 72 a being lower than theupper surface 56 a of themain portion 66 a of the base 54 a allows thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a to form the roped or creasedarea 102 as shown inFIG. 6 . As shown inFIG. 6 , when the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a is fully inserted onto thestretch wrap mandrel 70 a, thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a on thecenter tube 78 is directly adjacent or abutting theupper surface 72 a of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a. As thefilm 76 a is pulled from thecenter tube 78 to move through thepre-stretch assembly 58 a to stretch thefilm 76 a as outlined above employing thepre-stretch rollers 60 a and agear system 114, thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a is moved upward to move over theupper surface 56 a of themain portion 66 a of the base 54 a, thereby forming the roped or creasedarea 102. - It is contemplated that the
bottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a could abut any surface between theupper surface 72 a of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a and theupper surface 56 a of themain portion 66 a of the base 54 a. For example, such surface could be merely a ledge between the twoupper surfaces bottom roping bar 200. The film bottom roping bar 200 (seeFIG. 3 ) includes aprimary plate portion 202 connected to the base 54 a and anarm 204 that extends directly in the path between the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a and thepre-stretch assembly 58 a such that thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a is forced to form the roped or creasedarea 102. It is contemplated that thearm 204 can be stationary (as shown) or can be pivotally connected to the primary plate portion 202 (and can have, for example, a circular cross-sectional shape (i.e., a roller)). - It is contemplated that the film
bottom roping bar 200 could be the sole mechanism for forming the roped or creasedarea 102. For example, if theupper surface 72 a of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a and theupper surface 56 a of themain portion 66 a of the base 54 a were level, thearm 204 of the filmbottom roping bar 200 could force thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a upward to form the roped or creasedarea 102. It is further contemplated that the filmbottom roping bar 200 could be made to be easily removable (e.g., through a wing nut connection) or could be made to be vertically adjustable to control the amount of thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a that is made into the roped or creasedarea 102. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a could be configured to be vertically adjustably connected to themain portion 66 of the base 54 a to control the amount of thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 a that is made into the roped or creasedarea 102. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a system for not forming the roped or creasedarea 102 when the filmbottom roping bar 200 and/or theunlevel surfaces FIG. 7 , asupport disc 300 can be placed over themandrel 70 a before the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a is over themandrel 70 a. Thesupport disc 300 supports thecenter tube 78 a and the rest of the roll ofstretch wrap film 26 a above theupper surface 72 a of the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 a of the base 54 a. Therefore, thebottom portion 100 of thefilm 76 does not form the roped or creasedarea 102 before entering thepre-stretch assembly 58 a. Thesupport disc 300 can be a closed ring inserted over themandrel 70 a, donut shaped to be allowed to be slid laterally onto themandrel 70 a (or selectively removed or added, for example, after the wrapping of the product has begun). It is further contemplated that thesupport disc 300 could be recessed into the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 a and either manually or automatically raised and lowered. - When using the
carriage 24 as disclosed herein, there can be further modifications. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3-5 , thepre-stretch rollers 60 a can include a cylindricallower area 400 that is harder than the remaining portion of thepre-stretch rollers 60 a and having the same diameter to ensure that therope portion 102 of thefilm 76 a does not permanently indent the grip face of thepre-stretch rollers 60 a. For example, thelower area 400 can be made of metal (e.g., aluminum). Furthermore, a shown inFIG. 8 , thecarriage 24 can be tilted relative to therotatable arm 12 and aground surface 500 such that a dancer roller 502 (the last roller before thefilm 76 a leaves the carriage 24) is closer to theground 500 than the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68. With such tilt, therope portion 102 can be wrapped about a product very close to theground 500 and, if used, about a pallet holding the goods to be wrapped. The tilt also allows the source of stretchwrap extension platform 68 to be lower than themain portion 66 a of the base 54 a as outlined above. - The above description is considered that of the one embodiment only. Modification of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Claims (11)
1. A carriage for a stretch wrap assembly comprising:
a base;
a top housing;
a pre-stretch assembly located between the base and the top housing, the pre-stretch assembly including a plurality of pre-stretch rollers; and
a gear system located for rotating the pre-stretch rollers at a desired relative speed for stretching stretch wrap film passing through the pre-stretch assembly;
the base having a top surface and the plurality of pre-stretch rollers extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface such that axes of rotation of the plurality of pre-stretch rollers are substantially perpendicular to the top surface;
the base further including a source of stretch wrap extension platform extending laterally from a main portion of the base, the source of stretch wrap extension platform not being located under the top housing;
the source of stretch wrap extension platform having an upper surface and a mandrel extending substantially perpendicularly from the upper surface, the mandrel configured to receive a roll of stretch wrap film thereon such that an axis of rotation of the roll of stretch wrap film is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the source of stretch wrap extension platform;
wherein the upper surface of the source of stretch wrap extension platform is located below the top surface of the base such that a bottom of the roll of stretch wrap film can be located below a bottom of the plurality of pre-stretch rollers.
2. The carriage according to claim 1 , further including:
a roping bar located between the mandrel and the pre-stretch assembly, the roping bar being configured to such that the bottom of the film extending between the roll of stretch wrap film and the pre-stretch assembly forces the bottom upward to form the film into a bottom roping portion before the film enters the pre-stretch assembly.
3. The carriage according to claim 1 , wherein:
the pre-stretch rollers include a cylindrical lower area that is harder than the remaining portion of the pre-stretch rollers and having the same diameter.
4. The carriage according to claim 3 , wherein:
the cylindrical lower area includes a cylindrical aluminum surface.
5. A carriage for a stretch wrap assembly comprising:
a base;
a top housing;
a pre-stretch assembly located between the base and the top housing, the pre-stretch assembly including a plurality of pre-stretch rollers;
a gear system located for rotating the pre-stretch rollers at a desired relative speed for stretching stretch wrap film passing through the pre-stretch assembly;
the base having a top surface and the plurality of pre-stretch rollers extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface such that axes of rotation of the plurality of pre-stretch rollers are substantially perpendicular to the top surface;
the base further including a source of stretch wrap extension platform extending laterally from a main portion of the base;
the source of stretch wrap extension platform having a mandrel extending substantially perpendicularly from an upper surface thereof, the mandrel configured to receive a roll of stretch wrap film thereon such that an axis of rotation of the roll of stretch wrap film is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the source of stretch wrap extension platform; and
a roping bar located between the mandrel and the pre-stretch assembly, the roping bar being configured to such that a bottom of the film extending between the roll of stretch wrap film and the pre-stretch assembly forces the bottom upward to form the film into a bottom roping portion before the film enters the pre-stretch assembly.
6. The carriage according to claim 5 , wherein:
the pre-stretch rollers include a cylindrical lower area that is harder than the remaining portion of the pre-stretch rollers and having the same diameter.
7. The carriage according to claim 6 , wherein:
the cylindrical lower area includes a cylindrical aluminum surface.
8. A method of roping at least a portion of stretch wrap film, the method comprising:
providing a carriage having a base, a top housing, and a pre-stretch assembly located between the base and the top housing;
placing a roll of stretch wrap film on the base;
pulling film from the roll of stretch wrap film through the carriage;
pre-stretching the film passing through the carriage with the pre-stretch assembly; and
roping at least a bottom of the film from the roll of stretch wrap film at a location between the roll of stretch film wrap and the pre-stretch assembly.
9. The method according to claim 8 , further including:
locating a roping bar between a mandrel and the pre-stretch assembly, the roping bar forcing the bottom upward to form the film into a bottom roping portion before the film enters the pre-stretch assembly.
10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein:
the pre-stretch assembly includes pre-stretch rollers having a cylindrical lower area that is harder than the remaining portion of the pre-stretch rollers and having the same diameter.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein:
the cylindrical lower area includes a cylindrical aluminum surface.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/106,622 US20220169468A1 (en) | 2020-11-30 | 2020-11-30 | Stretch wrap film carriage |
EP21203470.6A EP4005935A1 (en) | 2020-11-30 | 2021-10-19 | Strech wrap film carriage |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/106,622 US20220169468A1 (en) | 2020-11-30 | 2020-11-30 | Stretch wrap film carriage |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20220169468A1 true US20220169468A1 (en) | 2022-06-02 |
Family
ID=78332546
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/106,622 Abandoned US20220169468A1 (en) | 2020-11-30 | 2020-11-30 | Stretch wrap film carriage |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20220169468A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4005935A1 (en) |
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US20110067364A1 (en) * | 2009-09-22 | 2011-03-24 | Cousins Neil G | Carriage For A Stretch Wrapping Machine |
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- 2020-11-30 US US17/106,622 patent/US20220169468A1/en not_active Abandoned
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- 2021-10-19 EP EP21203470.6A patent/EP4005935A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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