Patent ID: 8117733

Claim:
Apparatus for removing a film from a package of objects having a shape elongated along a longitudinal axis, having: a first and a second roller defining a first pair of rollers each rotatable about a respective roller axis, for supporting the package in a configuration with the longitudinal axis extending parallel to the roller axes in a station for the removal of the film, the rollers connected to a first motor drive serving to rotate them around said roller axes; a third and a fourth roller defining a second pair of rollers, movable between a raised position of non-interference with the package disposed in the removal station and a lowered position, in which the third and fourth rollers bear down upon the package, pressing it against said first and second roller; means for tearing the film of the package disposed in the removal station so as to allow the removal thereof by the first pair of rollers, wherein the means for tearing the film comprise a second motor drive, which is connected to the second pair of rollers and rotates them around their longitudinal axes, in such a way as to stretch portions of the film disposed between surfaces of the film that are in contact with said first and second pair of rollers, thereby causing the film to tear, and wherein the means for tearing the film further have: means for reversing the direction of rotation of the third and fourth roller cooperating with said second motor drive; and control means connected to said first and second motor drives and to said reversing means for enabling selective alternate stretching of: said portions of the film disposed between the surfaces of the film that are in contact with the first and second pairs of rollers, and a portion of the film disposed between surfaces of the film that are in contact with said third and fourth rollers.