Patent ID: 6735923
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A mattress packaging machine including an automatic roll replacement device for automatically replacing a roll for feeding a sheet by means of which a mattress or the like is wrapped in said mattress packaging machine, comprising:a frame provided with a horizontal surface for supporting said mattress such that said mattress may slide over said horizontal surface in an advancement direction of said mattress; means for guiding said sheet transversely to said surface so that by moving said mattress over said surface in said advancement direction against said sheet, said sheet is arranged over and under said mattress; means for joining and cutting said sheet upstream of said mattress with respect to said advancement direction with two parallel joining lines and in order to cut said sheet between said joining lines, so that with respect to said advancement direction the joining line that lies downstream of said cut closes in a ring-like configuration said sheet around said mattress and the joining line that lies upstream of said cut with respect to said advancement direction forms an end flap of said sheet; said device comprising a carriage which can slide on guides which surmount said surface and extend in said advancement direction such that said carriage is selectively movable in said advancement direction; a plurality of feed roll supporting assemblies which are installed in said carriage such that said feed roll supporting assemblies selectively move in said advancement direction when said carriage selectively moves in said advancement direction; each one of said assemblies being provided with means for the unwinding and takeup of a respective sheet and with supporting elements for a take-up roll with which an end of said sheet is associated; transfer means which are arranged upstream of said joining and cutting means with respect to said advancement direction and which comprise elements for picking up and retaining said take-up roll, said transfer means comprising means for moving said picking up and retaining elements between a raised position, at which said picking up and retaining elements pick up said take-up roll of an assembly arranged along said guides, and a lowered position, at which said take-up roll that has been picked up lies below said surface for supporting the mattress; and means for the actuation of said take-up roll which, in said lowered position and after the cut has been performed between said joining lines, actuate the takeup of said end flap of said sheet onto said take-up roll.