Patent ID: 6247294
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
Wrapping apparatus for winding a web of wrapping foil (F) around an object (1), said wrapping apparatus comprisinga ring guideway (2) forming a track with variable radius and comprising an inner rolling surface (3) facing towards the inside of the ring, an outer rolling surface (4) facing outward in a direction opposite to the inner rolling surface, and a lateral rolling surface (5) extending between the inner and outer rolling surfaces; anda foil dispenser (6), which comprises a frame (7) provided with supporting elements (8) for supporting a foil roll (9) on the frame and at least two idler assemblies (10, 11) disposed at a distance from each other in the direction of the ring guideway (2) and supporting the foil dispenser as said foil dispenser moves guided by the ring guideway, each of said idler assemblies comprising an inner idler (12) mounted with a bearing on the frame (7) and leaning by its circumference on the inner rolling surface (3), a first outer idler (13), whose axis of rotation is parallel to the axis of rotation of the inner idler and said lateral idler leans by its circumference on the outer rolling surface (4), and a lateral idler (14), whose axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the inner and outer idlers and said lateral idler leans by its circumference on the lateral rolling surface (5), wherein the idler assembly comprisesa second outer idler (15), whose axis of rotation is parallel to the axis of rotation of the first outer idler (13) and said second outer idler leans by its circumference on the outer rolling surface (4) at a distance from the first outer idler (13); anda pivoted frame (16) mounted with a bearing on the frame so as to permit the pivoted frame to turn about a swing axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the inner idler (12), the first outer idler (13), the second outer idler (15) and the lateral idler (14) being supported with bearings on said pivoted frame,so that as the foil dispenser, guided by the ring guideway, is moving along a track with variable curvature, the axis of rotation of the lateral idler turns substantially in the direction of the radius of the track at every point of the track.