Patent ID: 6761017
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
An apparatus for holding and dividing film (1) of width (L) used to wrap palletised groups of products in machines comprising a platform (2) that rotates about its vertical axis (Z) and that supports on its surface (P) a group of products to be wrapped with the film (1) to form a wrapped stack (3) by rotating the platform (2); the film (1) being unwound from a reel (4), that rotates about its vertical axis (Zâ€²), and that is supported by a frame located near the platform (2) and designed to move the reel (4) up and down in such a way as to completely wrap the stack (3) in height; said apparatus comprising:a unit (6) for gripping and tearing the film (1), located outside a profile of the platform (2) having a main gripper (8) with two arms (8a, 8b); means (7) for driving the unit for gripping and tearing the film; wherein the main gripper (8) is is rotatable in a plane parallel to the film (1), from a first position, in which the main gripper (8) lies outside the platform (2) and spaced from the film (1), to a second position, through a first rotation angle (&agr;), in which the main gripper (8) is substantially vertical and holds a portion of film between the first (8a) and second arm (8b), to a third position, through a second rotation angle (&bgr;), in which the main gripper (8) is substantially horizontal over the platform (2) and holds the portion of film (1) between the first (8a) and second arm (8b); wherein the unit for gripping and tearing the film further comprises: cam means (9) located and operating between the drive means (7) and the main gripper (8) comprising a circular track (10) which is associated to a shaft (11) for rotating the main gripper (8) and within which there runs a cam follower roller (12) attached to the first arm (8a) of the main gripper (8) for moving the first arm (8a) from an idle position, where it is away from the second arm (8b), to a working position, where it is in contact with the second arm (8b).