Patent ID: 6557323
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A wipe-down implement system for ensuring adherence of a trailing end portion of a wrapping film, wrapped around a load disposed at a wrapping station, at the conclusion of a film wrapping operation, comprising:a fixed support; a support arm movably mounted upon said fixed support between a first position at which said support arm is disposed remote from the load disposed at the wrapping station, and a second position at which said support arm is disposed adjacent to the load disposed at the wrapping station; a wipe-down implement, movably mounted upon said support arm between a first retracted position and a second extended position, for ensuring adherence of a trailing end portion of a wrapping film, withdrawn from a roll of wrapping film and wrapped around a load disposed at the wrapping station, to the wrapped load at the conclusion of a load wrapping operation; first actuating means interconnecting said support arm to said fixed support for moving said support arm between said first position at which said support arm is disposed remote from the load disposed at the wrapping station, and said second position at which said support arm is disposed adjacent to the load disposed at the wrapping station; and second actuating means interconnecting said wipe-down implement to said support arm for moving said wipe-down implement from said first retracted position to said second extended position prior to said support arm being disposed at said second position adjacent to the load disposed at the wrapping station such that when said support arm is moved by said first actuating means from said first position remote from the load disposed at the wrapping station to said second position adjacent to the load disposed at the wrapping station, said wipe-down implement will be engaged with the load disposed at the wrapping station so as to perform a wipe-down operation in connection with the trailing edge portion of the wrapping film wrapped around the load disposed at the wrapping station whereby the trailing end portion of the wrapping film will be adhered to the wrapped load disposed at the wrapping station, and for moving said wipe-down implement from said second extended position to said first retracted position while said support arm is disposed at said second position adjacent to the load disposed at the wrapping station and prior to said support arm being moved by said first actuating means from said second position adjacent to the load disposed at the wrapping station to said first position remote from the load disposed at the wrapping station such that said wipe-down implement will be disengaged from the load disposed at the wrapping station whereby when said support arm is moved by said first actuating means from said second position adjacent to the load disposed at the wrapping station to said first position remote from the load disposed at the wrapping station, said wipe-down implement will not dislodge the adhered trailing edge portion of the wrapping film from the load disposed at the wrapping station.