Patent ID: 6035612
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A method of wrapping a product substantially shaped as a parallelepiped having first and second parallel small lateral walls and first and second parallel large walls in a wrapping sheet having an intermediate portion, and first and second lateral portions comprising respective free end portions, the method comprising the following steps:a) feeding said product to a loading station of a folding conveyor movable along a transfer path extending from said loading station and an unloading station;b) feeding a respective wrapping sheet to said loading station in time with said product and in one of a first and second positions in relation to said product in the loading station; in said first position said intermediate portion facing said first small lateral wall in said loading station and, in said second position, said first lateral portion facing said first lateral wall in said loading station;c) folding said wrapping sheet into a U-shape about said product in said loading station;d) operating said folding conveyor to advance the product and the relevant wrapping sheet along a folding path extending through first and second wrapping means;e) selecting the first or the second wrapping means;f) operating the selected wrapping means to fold said wrapping sheet into a tube about said product;wherein the selection step of the wrapping means depends on which of said two positions is occupied by the wrapping sheet in said loading station such that said first wrapping means being operational and said second wrapping means being inactive when said wrapping sheet is fed in said first position, whereas said second wrapping means being operational and said first wrapping means being inactive when said wrapping sheet is fed in said second position;h) folding said wrapping sheet into a tube about said product by one of said first and second wrapping means;i) superimposing said first and second end portions of the wrapping sheet by one of said first and second wrapping means;wherein said first wrapping means are located in said loading station and are used in connection with said sheet being arranged in said first position to superimpose said two free end portions on said second small lateral wall; and said second wrapping means are located in said unloading station and are used in connection with said sheet being arranged in said second position to superimpose said two free end portions on said first large lateral wall of said product.