Patent ID: 7712291
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A method of wrapping articles within wrapping film, comprising the steps of: providing an upstanding framework; defining a wrapping station within said upstanding framework at which an article to be wrapped is adapted to be disposed during an article wrapping operation; mounting a vertically movable frame member upon said upstanding framework; mounting a rotary ring member upon said vertically movable frame member such that said rotary ring member undergoes rotary movement with respect to said vertically movable frame member; mounting a pair of diametrically opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies upon said rotary ring member; controlling the rotary movement of said rotary ring member, upon said vertically movable frame member, at a first predetermined rate of speed, and controlling the vertical movement of said vertically movable frame member at a second predetermined rate of speed, such that said pair of film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies will simultaneously but independently dispense the wrapping film from both of said pair of diametrically opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies so as to simultaneously and independently completely wrap the article, disposed at said wrapping station, within wrapping film dispensed from both of said pair of diametrically opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly means within a time frame which comprises and defines said article wrapping operation and which is substantially shorter than that which would otherwise be achieved utilizing a single film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly rotating at said first predetermined rate of speed and vertically moving at said second predetermined rate of speed; mounting a pair of beam members upon said vertically movable frame member; mounting a pair of film clamping mechanisms upon said pair of beam members, so as to be respectively operatively associated with said pair of film roll mounting and dispensing assemblies, for retaining leading end portions of the wrapping films in order to commence additional film wrapping operations after an initial film wrapping operation has been completed; movably mounting said pair of beam members upon said vertically movable frame member such that said pair of beam members, and said pair of film clamping mechanisms mounted thereon, are movable toward and away from said pair of film roll mounting and dispensing assemblies; severing the wrapping films upon the conclusion of an article wrapping operation so as to form trailing end portions of the wrapping films, which are to be secured upon the wrapped loads, while also forming leading end portions of the wrapping films, integrally connected to the rolls of wrapping film disposed upon said pair of diametrically opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies, and to be retained by said film clamping mechanisms in preparation for the commencement of additional article wrapping operations; and respectively mounting a pair of auxiliary film clamping mechanisms upon said pair of beam members for grasping the leading end portions of the wrapping films, integrally attached to the rolls of wrapping film disposed upon said pair of diametrically opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies, in order to prepare for the commencement of article wrapping operations utilizing new rolls of wrapping film.