AMENDED CLAIMS[received by the International Bureau on 30 November 2006 (30.11.06); original claims 1-108 replaced by new claims 1-108 ]
1. A wrapping machine for wrapping a product comprising: a base; a turntable on the base for rotating the product; a source of wrapping material connected to the base, the source of wrapping material supplying wrapping material to the product during rotation of the product on the turntable; and an apparatus configured to maintain a portion of the wrapping material above the product during rotation of the product, with the apparatus being located directly above the product while the apparatus is maintaining the portion of the wrapping material above the product during rotation of the product.
2. The wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein: the base includes a column extending upwardly therefrom, the column supporting the source of wrapping material.
3. The wrapping machine of claim 2, wherein: the base includes a carriage connected to the column and configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
4. The wrapping machine of claim 3, wherein: a motor moves the carriage vertically on the column.
5. The wrapping machine of claim 3, wherein: the carriage includes a prestretcher for stretching the wrapping material before the wrapping material is supplied to the product.
6. The wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein: the base includes a motor for turning the turntable.
7. The wrapping machine of claim 2, wherein:
36 the apparatus is connected to the column and is configured to move vertically thereon.
8. The wrapping machine of claim 7, wherein: the base includes a carriage connected to the column configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
9. The wrapping machine of claim 8, wherein: the apparatus is configured to ride on the carriage as the carriage moves vertically on the column.
10. The wrapping machine of claim 9, wherein: the apparatus includes an actuating stop for stopping vertical movement of the apparatus separate from vertical movement of the carriage.
11. The wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein: the apparatus is configured to cut the wrapping material at a position above the product after initiation of wrapping of the product.
12. The wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein: the apparatus is configured to hold the wrapping material at a position above the product as the turntable begins rotating the product.
13. The wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein: the apparatus includes a gripping assembly gripping the wrapping material during initiation of wrapping of the product; both the apparatus and the source of wrapping material are configured to move vertically; and the apparatus is configured to move vertically with the source of wrapping material.
14. The wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein:
37 the apparatus comprises: at least one track adjacent the turntable, the track having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion extending above the turntable; at least one powered drive assembly; and at least one vehicle operably connected to the powered drive assembly, and movably mounted to the at least one track for movement along the horizontal and vertical portions of the track upon actuation of the powered drive assembly, the at least one vehicle including a holder configured to retain the portion of the wrapping material above a product on the turntable when the at least one vehicle is on the horizontal portion of the track.
15. The wrapping machine of claim 14, wherein: the vehicle includes a knife for cutting the portion of the wrapping material above the product on the turntable.
16. The wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein: the portion comprises a leading end of the wrapping material.
17. The wrapping machine of claim 16, wherein: the portion further comprises a trailing end of the wrapping material.
18. The wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein: the portion comprises a trailing end of the wrapping material.
19. A wrapping machine for wrapping a product comprising: a base; a turntable on the base for rotating the product; a source of wrapping material connected to the base, the source of wrapping material supplying wrapping material to the product; and an apparatus configured to cut the wrapping material at a position directly above the product during wrapping of the product or after the product has been wrapped.
20. The wrapping machine of claim 19, wherein: the base includes a column extending upwardly therefrom, the column supporting the source of wrapping material.
21. The wrapping machine of claim 20, wherein: the base includes a carriage connected to the column and configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
22. The wrapping machine of claim 21, wherein: a motor moves the carriage vertically on the column.
23. The wrapping machine of claim 21, wherein: the carriage includes a prestretcher for stretching the wrapping material before the wrapping material is supplied to the product.
24. The wrapping machine of claim 20, wherein: the base includes a motor for turning the turntable.
25. The wrapping machine of claim 20, wherein: the apparatus is connected to the column and is configured to move vertically thereon.
26. The wrapping machine of claim 25, wherein: the base includes a carriage connected to the column configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
27. The wrapping machine of claim 26, wherein:
39 the apparatus is configured to ride on the carriage as the carriage moves vertically on the column.
28. The wrapping machine of claim 27, wherein: the apparatus includes an actuating stop for stopping vertical movement of the apparatus separate from vertical movement of the carriage.
29. The wrapping machine of claim 19, wherein: the apparatus is configured to bring a portion of the wrapping material above the product.
30. The wrapping machine of claim 19, wherein: the apparatus is configured to hold a portion of the wrapping material at a position above the product as the turntable begins rotating the product.
31. The wrapping machine of claim 19, wherein: the apparatus includes a gripping assembly gripping a portion of the wrapping material during initiation of wrapping of the product; both the apparatus and the source of wrapping material are configured to move vertically; and the apparatus is configured to move vertically with the source of wrapping material.
32. The wrapping machine of claim 19, wherein: the apparatus comprises: at least one track adjacent the turntable, the track having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion extending above the turntable; at least one powered drive assembly; and at least one vehicle operably connected to the powered drive assembly, and movably mounted to the at least one track for movement along the horizontal and vertical portions of the track upon actuation of the powered drive assembly, the at least one vehicle including a holder
40 configured to retain a portion of wrapping material above a product on the turntable when the at least one vehicle is on the horizontal portion of the track.
33. The wrapping machine of claim 32, wherein: the vehicle includes a knife for cutting the wrapping material above the product on the turntable.
34. A wrapping machine for wrapping a product comprising: a base; a turntable on the base for rotating the product about a first vertical axis; a source of wrapping material connected to the base, the source of wrapping material supplying wrapping material to the product, the source of wrapping material having a second vertical axis of rotation; and an apparatus configured to hold a portion of the wrapping material at a position above the product as the turntable begins rotating the product.
35. The wrapping machine of claim 34, wherein: the base includes a column extending upwardly therefrom, the column supporting the source of wrapping material.
36. The wrapping machine of claim 35, wherein: the base includes a carriage connected to the column and configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
37. The wrapping machine of claim 36, wherein: a motor moves the carriage vertically on the column.
38. The wrapping machine of claim 36, wherein: the carriage includes a prestretcher for stretching the wrapping material before the wrapping material is supplied to the product.
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39. The wrapping machine of claim 35, wherein: the base includes a motor for turning the turntable.
40. The wrapping machine of claim 35, wherein: the apparatus is connected to the column and is configured to move vertically thereon.
41. The wrapping machine of claim 40, wherein: the base includes a carriage connected to the column configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
42. The wrapping machine of claim 41, wherein: the apparatus is configured to ride on the carriage as the carriage moves vertically on the column.
43. The wrapping machine of claim 42, wherein: the apparatus includes an actuating stop for stopping vertical movement of the apparatus separate from vertical movement of the carriage.
44. The wrapping machine of claim 34, wherein: the apparatus is configured to cut the wrapping material at a position above the product after the product has been wrapped.
45. The wrapping machine of claim 34, wherein: the apparatus is configured to bring the portion of the wrapping material above the product.
46. The wrapping machine of claim 34, wherein: the apparatus includes a gripping assembly gripping the portion of the wrapping material during initiation of wrapping of the product; both the apparatus and the source of wrapping material are configured to move vertically; and
42 the apparatus is configured to move vertically with the source of wrapping material.
47. The wrapping machine of claim 34, wherein: the apparatus comprises: at least one track adjacent the turntable, the track having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion extending above the turntable; at least one powered drive assembly; and at least one vehicle operably connected to the powered drive assembly, and movably mounted to the at least one track for movement along the horizontal and vertical portions of the track upon actuation of the powered drive assembly, the at least one vehicle including a holder configured to retain the portion of wrapping material above a product on the turntable when the at least one vehicle is on the horizontal portion of the track.
48. The wrapping machine of claim 47, wherein: the vehicle includes a knife for cutting the wrapping material above the product on the turntable.
49. The wrapping machine of claim 34, wherein: the portion comprises a leading end of the wrapping material.
50. The wrapping machine of claim 49, wherein: the portion further comprises a trailing end of the wrapping material.
51. The wrapping machine of claim 34, wherein: the portion comprises a trailing end of the wrapping material.
52. A wrapping machine for wrapping a product comprising: a base; a turntable on the base for rotating the product;
43 a vertically adjustable source of wrapping material connected to the base, the source of wrapping material supplying wrapping material to the product; and a gripping assembly gripping a portion of the wrapping material during initiation of wrapping of the product, the gripping assembly being configured to move vertically with the vertically adjustable source of wrapping material.
53. The wrapping machine of claim 52, wherein: the base includes a column extending upwardly therefrom, the column supporting the source of wrapping material.
54. The wrapping machine of claim 53, wherein: the base includes a carriage connected to the column and configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
55. The wrapping machine of claim 54, wherein: a motor moves the carriage vertically on the column.
56. The wrapping machine of claim 54, wherein: the carriage includes a prestretcher for stretching the wrapping material before the wrapping material is supplied to the product.
57. The wrapping machine of claim 54, wherein: the base includes a motor for turning the turntable.
58. The wrapping machine of claim 54, wherein: the gripping assembly is connected to the column and is configured to move vertically thereon.
59. The wrapping machine of claim 58, wherein: the base includes a carriage connected to the column configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
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60. The wrapping machine of claim 59, wherein: the gripping assembly is configured to ride on a top of the carriage as the carriage moves vertically on the column.
61. The wrapping machine of claim 60, wherein: the gripping assembly includes an actuating stop for stopping vertical movement of the gripping assembly separate from vertical movement of the carriage.
62. The wrapping machine of claim 52, wherein: the gripping assembly is configured to cut the portion of the wrapping material at a position above the product after the product has been wrapped.
63. The wrapping machine of claim 52, wherein: the gripping assembly is configured to hold the portion of the wrapping material at a position above the product as the turntable begins rotating the product.
64. The wrapping machine of claim 52, wherein: the gripping assembly is configured to bring the portion of the wrapping material above the product.
65. The wrapping machine of claim 52, wherein: the gripping assembly comprises: at least one track adjacent the turntable, the track having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion extending above the turntable; at least one powered drive assembly; and at least one vehicle operably connected to the powered drive assembly, and movably mounted to the at least one track for movement along the horizontal and vertical portions of the track upon actuation of the powered drive assembly, the at least one vehicle including a holder configured to retain the portion of wrapping material above a product on the
45 turntable when the at least one vehicle is on the horizontal portion of the track.
66. The wrapping machine of claim 65, wherein: the vehicle includes a knife for cutting the portion the wrapping material above the product on the turntable.
67. The wrapping machine of claim 52, wherein: the portion comprises a leading end of the wrapping material.
68. The wrapping machine of claim 67, wherein: the portion further comprises a trailing end of the wrapping material.
69. The wrapping machine of claim 52, wherein: the portion comprises a trailing end of the wrapping material.
70. A method of wrapping a product with wrapping material comprising: holding a source of the wrapping material in a horizontally stationary position; rotating the product about a vertical axis to wrap the product with the wrapping material; and positioning a leading end of the wrapping material above a top height of the product.
71. The method of wrapping a product of claim 70, wherein: positioning includes holding the leading end of the wrapping material during initiation of rotating the product.
72. The method of wrapping a product of claim 71, further including: dropping the leading end of the wrapping material on top of the product during or after rotation.
73. The method of wrapping a product of claim 70, further including:
46 bringing a portion of the wrapping material from a first position adjacent a side of the product to a second position above the product; cutting the portion of the wrapping material to form a trailing end of the wrapping material such that the trailing end is free.
74. The method of wrapping a product of claim 70, further including: bringing a portion of the wrapping material from a first position adjacent a side of the product to a second position above the product; cutting the wrapping material to form a trailing end and a second leading end of the wrapping material, such that the trailing end is free; and clamping the second leading end of the wrapping material during wrapping of a second product.
75. The method of wrapping a product of claim 70, further including: placing a portion of the wrapping material comprising the leading end of the wrapping material in a U-shaped vehicle; moving the U-shaped vehicle to clamp the portion of the wrapping material; and rotating a source of the wrapping material relative to the product to wrap the product.
76. The method of wrapping a product of claim 70, further including: not maintaining the leading end of the wrapping material stationary relative to the product during initiation of a rotation cycle of the product relative to the source of the wrapping material.
77. A method of wrapping a product with wrapping material comprising: rotating the product; and dropping an end of the wrapping material on top of the product during or after rotation.
78. The method of wrapping a product of claim 77, further including:
47 bringing a portion of the wrapping material from a first position adjacent a side of the product to a second position above the product; and cutting the wrapping material to form the end of the wrapping material.
79. The method of wrapping a product of claim 77, further including: bringing a portion of the wrapping material comprising the end from a first position adjacent a side of the product to a second position above the product; cutting the wrapping material to form the end and a second leading end of the wrapping material; and clamping the second leading end of the wrapping material during wrapping of a second product.
80. The method of wrapping a product of claim 77, further including: placing a portion of the wrapping material comprising the end in a U-shaped vehicle; moving the U-shaped vehicle to clamp the portion of the wrapping material; and rotating a source of the wrapping material relative to the product to wrap the product.
81. The method of wrapping a product of claim 77, further including: not maintaining the end of the wrapping material stationary relative to the product during initiation of a rotation cycle of the product relative to the source of the wrapping material.
82. A method of packaging a product with wrapping material comprising: wrapping the product with the wrapping material; bringing a portion of the wrapping material from a first position adjacent a side of the product to a second position above the product; and cutting the portion of the wrapping material directly above the product to form a trailing end of the wrapping material such that the trailing end is free.
83. The method of wrapping a product of claim 82, further including:
48 positioning an end of the wrapping material above a top height of the product; holding a source of the wrapping material in a horizontally stationary position; and rotating the product about a vertical axis to wrap the product with the wrapping material.
84. The method of wrapping a product of claim 82, further including: dropping an end of the wrapping material on top of the product during or after rotation.
85. The method of wrapping a product of claim 82, further including: bringing the portion of the wrapping material from a first position adjacent a side of the product to a second position above the product; cutting the portion of the wrapping material further forms a leading end of the wrapping material; and clamping the leading end of the wrapping material during wrapping of a second product.
86. The method of wrapping a product of claim 82, further including: placing the portion of the wrapping material in a U-shaped vehicle; moving the U-shaped vehicle to clamp the portion of the wrapping material; and rotating a source of the wrapping material relative to the product to wrap the product.
87. The method of wrapping a product of claim 82, further including: not maintaining the portion of the wrapping material stationary relative to the product during initiation of a rotation cycle of the product relative to the source of the wrapping material.
88. A method of packaging products with wrapping material comprising: wrapping a first product with the wrapping material;
49 bringing a portion of the wrapping material comprising a leading end of the wrapping material from a first position adjacent a side of the product to a second position above the product; cutting the portion of the wrapping material directly above the product to form a trailing end and the leading end of the wrapping material, whereby the trailing end is free; and clamping the leading end of the wrapping material during wrapping of a second product.
89. The method of wrapping a product of claim 88, further including: positioning the portion of the wrapping material above a top height of the product; holding a source of the wrapping material in a horizontally stationary position; and rotating the product about a vertical axis to wrap the product with the wrapping material.
90. The method of wrapping a product of claim 88, further including: dropping the trailing end of the wrapping material on top of the product during or after rotation.
91. The method of wrapping a product of claim 88, further including: placing the portion of the wrapping material in a U-shaped vehicle; moving the U-shaped vehicle to clamp the leading end edge of the wrapping material; and rotating a source of the wrapping material relative to the product to wrap the product.
92. The method of wrapping a product of claim 88, further including: not maintaining the leading end of the wrapping material stationary relative to the product during initiation of a rotation cycle of the product relative to the source of the wrapping material.
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93. A method of packaging a product with wrapping material comprising: placing a leading end of the wrapping material in a U-shaped vehicle; moving the U-shaped vehicle to clamp the leading end of the wrapping material; and rotating a source of the wrapping material relative to the product to wrap the product.
94. The method of wrapping a product of claim 93, further including: positioning the leading end of the wrapping material above a top height of the product; holding a source of the wrapping material in a horizontally stationary position; and rotating the product about a vertical axis to wrap the product with the wrapping material.
95. The method of wrapping a product of claim 93, further including: dropping the leading end of the wrapping material on top of the product during or after rotation.
96. The method of wrapping a product of claim 93, further including: bringing the leading end of the wrapping material from a first position adjacent a side of the product to a second position above the product; cutting the wrapping material to form a trailing end and the leading end of the wrapping material, whereby the trailing end is free; and clamping the leading end of the wrapping material during wrapping of a second product.
97. The method of wrapping a product of claim 93, further including: not maintaining the leading end of the wrapping material stationary relative to the product during initiation of a rotation cycle of the product relative to the source of the wrapping material.
98. A wrapping machine comprising:
51 a base; a powered rotatable turntable on the base for rotating a product; a generally upright column adjacent the turntable; a source of wrapping material including a carriage operably connected to the column for generally vertical movement along the column; at least one track adjacent the turntable, the track having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion extending above the turntable; at least one powered drive assembly; and at least one vehicle operably connected to the powered drive assembly, and movably mounted to the at least one track for movement along the horizontal and vertical portions of the track upon actuation of the powered drive assembly, the at least one vehicle including a holder configured to retain an end portion of wrapping material above a product on the turntable when the at least one vehicle is on the horizontal portion of the track.
99. The wrapping machine of claim 98, wherein: the vehicle includes a knife for cutting a portion of the wrapping material above the product on the turntable.
100. A wrapping machine comprising: a base configured to support the wrapping machine on a floor surface; a clamp connected to the base for holding an end of the wrapping material; a turntable rotatably connected to the base for rotating a product on the turntable relative to the base and the clamp; and a wrap dispenser operably mounted to the base for supplying wrapping material to a product on the turntable.
101. A method of wrapping a product with wrapping material comprising: rotating the product relative to a source of the wrapping material; wrapping the product with the wrapping material; and not maintaining a leading end of the wrapping material stationary relative to the product during initiation of a rotation cycle of the product relative to the source of the wrapping material.
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102. The method of wrapping a product of claim 101, further including: positioning the leading end of the wrapping material above a top height of the product; holding a source of the wrapping material in a horizontally stationary position; and rotating the product about a vertical axis to wrap the product with the wrapping material.
103. The method of wrapping a product of claim 101, further including: dropping the leading end of the wrapping material on top of the product during or after rotation.
104. The method of wrapping a product of claim 101, further including: bringing the leading end of the wrapping material from a first position adjacent a side of the product to a second position above the product; cutting the wrapping material to form a trailing end and the leading end of the wrapping material, whereby the trailing end is free; and clamping the leading end of the wrapping material during wrapping of a second product.
105. The method of wrapping a product of claim 101, further including: placing the leading end of the wrapping material in a U-shaped vehicle; moving the U-shaped vehicle to clamp the leading end of the wrapping material; and rotating a source of the wrapping material relative to the product to wrap the product.
106. A method of retro-fitting a wrapping machine comprising: providing a wrapping machine having a vertical member and a source of wrapping material including a carriage operably connected to the vertical member for generally vertical movement along the column; wrapping the product with the wrapping material; and
53 connecting an apparatus to the vertical member, the apparatus maintaining a portion of the wrapping material above a product to be wrapped during wrapping of the product with the wrapping material.
107. The method of claim 106, wherein: providing a wrapping machine includes providing a turntable for rotating the product.
108. The method of claim 106, wherein: providing the wrapping machine includes providing a vertical column, a cantilever arm connected to the vertical column, rotatably connecting the vertical member to the cantilever arm.
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