U.S. patent application number 09/747197 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-31 for method of wrapping a bouquet.
Invention is credited to Craig, Franklin J., Fantz, Paul, Weder, Donald E..
Application Number | 20010001920 09/747197 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25535920 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010001920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fantz, Paul ; et
al. |
May 31, 2001 |
Method of wrapping a bouquet
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet of
material about a bouquet of flowers. A sheet of material having
spaced apart defined first and second portions is placed against a
support member, such as a prepared table top, and the bouquet is
positioned on the sheet with the first and second portions of the
sheet extending on right and left sides, respectively, of the
bouquet. The first sheet portion is then moved in a path to at
least partially encompass the bouquet, and the second sheet portion
is moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet and
to extend over part of the first sheet portion. The two sheet
portions may be secured together by a bonding material, or the
first and second portions of the sheet of wrapping material can
themselves act as a bonding material by application of appropriate
heat sealing, sonic welding, vibratory welding, and similar
methods. A stiff wrap ring form may be positioned suspended over
the sheet of material, and the bouquet inserted in -the wrap ring
form. The stem portion of the bouquet may be tightly wrapped by a
separate wrapping operation.
Inventors: |
Fantz, Paul; (Imperial,
MO) ; Weder, Donald E.; (Highland, IL) ;
Craig, Franklin J.; (Valley Park, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dunlap, Codding & Rogers, P.C.
Suite 420
9400 North Broadway
Oklahoma City
OK
73114
US
|
Family ID: |
25535920 |
Appl. No.: |
09/747197 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09747197 |
Dec 22, 2000 |
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09249570 |
Feb 12, 1999 |
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09249570 |
Feb 12, 1999 |
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09018386 |
Feb 4, 1998 |
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5921063 |
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09018386 |
Feb 4, 1998 |
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08694130 |
Aug 8, 1996 |
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5718099 |
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08694130 |
Aug 8, 1996 |
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08291378 |
Aug 16, 1994 |
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5564257 |
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08291378 |
Aug 16, 1994 |
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07990226 |
Dec 14, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/399 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 25/023
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/399 |
International
Class: |
B65B 013/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for automatically wrapping a sheet of material about a
floral grouping, the floral grouping having a bloom end and a stem
end, said method comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of
material having spaced apart defined first and second portions, and
placing the sheet against a support member; positioning a floral
grouping on the sheet with the first and second portions of the
sheet extending on right and left sides, respectively, of the
floral grouping; automatically moving the first sheet portion in a
first path to at least partially encompass the floral grouping; and
automatically moving the second sheet portion in a second path to
at least partially encompass the floral grouping and to extend over
part of the first sheet portion.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of
automatically bonding the first and second sheet portions together
utilizing a bonding material.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of
initiating automatic wrapping of the stem end of the floral
grouping, in a controlled wrapping manner, with a third sheet
portion adjacent the floral grouping stem end.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said controlled
wrapping manner step includes wrapping the stem end with the third
sheet portion tighter than the remainder of the sheet is
wrapped.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in said step of
moving the first sheet portion, the first portion is brought to a
position greater than 180.degree.about the periphery of the floral
grouping.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein, in said step of
moving the second sheet portion, the second sheet portion is
brought to a position overlapping, but spaced from, the first sheet
portion, and said method includes the further and subsequent step
of bringing the first and second sheet portion into contact with
one another.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of
disposing a wrap ring member over, but spaced from, the sheet
material and into which the floral grouping is inserted to provide
a support against which the sheet material is wrapped during said
moving steps.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, including the step of moving
the wrapped bouquet toward said stem end, thereby removing the
wrapped floral grouping from the support member and said floral
grouping from within the wrap ring member.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wrap ring member
is suspended, by a beam, over the sheet of material on the support
member, and said sheet providing step includes sliding the sheet
between the wrap ring member and the support member.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, including the step of
clamping the sheet against the beam suspending the wrap ring.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of
clamping the sheet, of material to the support member.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said clamping step
includes clamping the sheet relative to the support member at two
spaced apart locations along a line substantially parallel to the
axis of the floral grouping.
13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said moving steps
include holding onto at least one of the sheet portions by applying
negative pressure thereto during movement of the sheet portion.
14. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said moving steps are
performed under the influence of selected electromechanical
operating parameters related to the size of the wrap ring member,
and said method further includes the optional steps of: removing
the wrap ring member from over the sheet of material; and replacing
it with another wrap ring member of a different size; whereby said
replacing step automatically alters said electromechanical
operating parameters to new values related to the size of the
replacing wrap ring member.
15. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said providing step
includes providing a stack of the sheets of material; automatically
selecting individual sheets of material from the stack, and
sequentially placing the sheets one at a time on the support
member; and subsequent to placing each selected sheet on the
support member, performing said floral grouping positioning step,
and said moving steps.
16. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said providing step
includes providing a continuous roll of sheet material,
automatically dispensing and feeding the sheet material from the
roll onto the support member, and severing the sheet of material to
produce a single sheet of material for processing by said
positioning and moving steps.
16. An apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet of material
about a floral grouping, the floral grouping having a bloom end and
a stem end, comprising: a support member; means providing a sheet
of material having spaced apart defined first and second portions,
and for placing the sheet against said support member for receiving
the floral grouping on the sheet with the first and second portions
of the sheet extending on left and right sides of the floral
grouping at or near its bloom end; first moving means for
automatically moving the first sheet portion in a first path to at
least partially encompass the floral grouping; and second moving
means for automatically moving the second sheet portion in a second
path to at least partially encompass the floral grouping and to
extend over part of the first sheet portion.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, including means for
automatically bonding the first and second sheet portions together
utilizing a bonding material.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, including means for
initiating automatic wrapping of the stem end of the floral
grouping, in a controlled wrapping manner, with a third sheet
portion adjacent the floral grouping stem end.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said means for
wrapping the stem end is operative to wrap the stem end with the
third sheet portion tighter than the remainder of the sheet is
wrapped.
21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said first means
for moving includes means for bringing the first portion of the
sheet to a position greater than 180.degree.about the periphery of
the floral grouping.
22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein: said second
moving means includes means for bringing the second sheet portion
to a position overlapping, but spaced from, the first sheet
portion; and means for subsequently bringing the first and second
sheet portions into contact with one another.
23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, including a ring wrap
member positioned over, but spaced from, the sheet of material,
said wrap ring member encompassing the floral grouping to provide a
support against which the sheet material is wrapped by operation of
said first and second moving means.
24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said wrap ring
member comprises a hollow, truncated, conical ring into which the
floral grouping is inserted with the conical ring tapering toward
the stem end of the floral grouping.
25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said wrap ring
member includes an elongated beam having a first end rigidly fixed
to said support member at a position spaced from the sheet of
material, and a second end, suspended over the sheet of material on
the support member, said wrap ring member including means for
mounting said ring on said second end of said beam.
26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, including means mounted
on said support member for clamping the sheet of material against
said beam.
27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, including means for
clamping the sheet of material to the said support member.
28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said clamping
means includes means for clamping the sheet of material relative to
said support member at two spaced apart locations along a line
substantially parallel to the axis of the floral grouping.
29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one of
said first and second moving means comprises means for applying
negative pressure to the first and second sheet portions,
respectively, for holding on to the respective sheet portions
during operation of said first and second moving means.
30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said first and
second moving means function under the influence of selected
electromechanical operating parameters related to the size of said
wrap ring member, and said apparatus further includes: means for
setting said electromechanical operating parameters responsive to
the insertion of said wrap ring member into position over said
support member and secured to said support member by said wrap ring
members mounting means.
31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said wrap ring
member includes a pin adjacent said first end thereof, and said
apparatus further includes a plurality of sensors mounted to said
support means, said sensors being responsive to different lengths
of pins to set said electromechanical operating parameters having
different drives depending upon the length of said pins.
32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the sheets of
material are provided in stacks of such sheets, and said apparatus
further includes wherein said means for providing a sheet of
material includes means for automatically selecting individual
sheets of material from the stack, and sequentially placing the
sheets one at a time on said support member.
33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the sheets of
material are provided in a continuous roll of material, and said
means for providing a sheet of material includes: means for
automatically dispensing and feeding the sheet material from the
roll on to said support member; and severing the sheet material to
produce a single sheet of material to be acted upon by said first
and second moving means and said bonding means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to wrapping floral
groupings, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to
a method and apparatus for wrapping a bouquet of botanical items
automatically.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Wrapping floral groupings, such as bouquets, is an old art.
The wrapping protects the floral grouping, maintains the floral
grouping in a relatively high moisture environment, makes the
floral grouping more attractive, and protects the person giving or
receiving the floral grouping by shielding the person or their
clothing from excess moisture, color or pollen transfer, and damage
from thorns and the like. However, in the past, the wrapping of
floral groupings to form, for example, a bouquet has been done
manually. A florist would select or cut a sheet of wrapping
material, place the floral grouping with the stems toward one
corner, bring the two corners adjacent the stem corner together in
an overlapping fashion, and then secure, or not, as desired, the
overlapping portions of the sheet of material together.
[0005] There are many disadvantages to manually preparing wrapped
floral groupings. The manual process is very time consuming,
thereby adding expense to the final product. The resulting wrapped
floral grouping may vary considerably in aesthetic value, depending
upon the skill and experience of the person doing the wrapping.
Even experienced wrappers may not wrap the floral grouping with the
proper shape and size, so that the floral grouping may not be
secure within the wrapping. Additionally, while the main part of
the floral grouping may be adequately wrapped and protected, the
stem area of the wrapping does not wrap the stems tight enough and
may allow the stems to protrude through the stem end of the
wrapping which makes the floral presentation unsightly and, again,
can injure a person or damage a person's clothing. Even after a
successful or adequate manual wrap, problems arise in attempting to
band the wrap or otherwise affix the wrap upon itself. Handling the
unbanded or unfastened wrap is awkward and may require two people,
one to hold the wrap in place and the other to band or fasten the
overlapping corners of the wrap.
[0006] There is therefore a clear need in the art for a method and
apparatus for automatically wrapping floral groupings which
provides consistent wrapping of proper shape and size and which
can, optionally, prepare a tight wrap of the stem portion of the
floral grouping, and/or band or fasten the wrapping, resulting in
an aesthetically pleasing floral presentation absent all of the
disadvantages resulting from the aforementioned manual wrapping
method. The present invention fulfills that need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Definitions
[0007] The material which comprises the sheet of material S is
preferably selected from the group of materials consisting of:
man-made organic polymer films; fibers or fabric (woven or
non-woven, synthetic or natural); metallic and non-metallic foils;
paper (coated or uncoated, treated or untreated); cellulose
(including cellophane); leather; burlap; "dead fold" or semi-rigid
sheet materials including, but not limited to, "dead-fold" plastic
sheets, wire laminated flexible sheet material, waxed sheet
material, starched or sugared sheet material; and laminates; or
combinations thereof. The sheet of material S used with the bouquet
wrapping apparatus may employ materials having adhesives or
cohesives on both sides of the sheet S, an adhesive on one side and
a cohesive on the other side or a cohesive or adhesive on only one
side of the sheet S with no adhesive or cohesive on the other side
of the sheet S. The sheet S may be a heat sealable material which
can be sealed with heat devices. The sheet S may be a weldable film
which can be welded with heat or welded sonically or with a
vibratory welding means.
[0008] "Floral grouping", as used herein, means cut fresh flowers,
artificial flowers, a single flower, other fresh and/or artificial
plants or other floral materials, and may include other secondary
plants and/or ornamentation which add to the aesthetics of the
overall floral grouping. The floral grouping has a stem and a bloom
end.
[0009] The term "botanical item", as used herein, means a natural
or artificial herbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in
combination. The term "botanical item" also means any portion or
portions of natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plants
including stems, leaves, flowers, blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or
roots, taken singly or in combination, or in groupings of such
portions such as bouquets or floral groupings.
[0010] For convenience, the term "bouquet" will be used hereinafter
to substitute for the term "floral grouping". Therefore, when the
term "bouquet" is used, what is meant is "floral grouping" as
defined above.
[0011] The term "bonding material" as used herein includes
adhesives, preferably pressure sensitive adhesives, or cohesives.
Where the bonding material is a cohesive, a compatible cohesive
material must be placed on the adjacent surface for bondingly
contacting and bondingly engaging with the first-mentioned cohesive
material. The term "bonding material" also includes materials which
are heat sealable and, in this instance, the adjacent portions of
the material must be brought into contact and then heat must be
applied, or generated, to effect the seal. The term "bonding
material" as used herein also means a heat sealing lacquer which
may be applied to the sheet of material and, in this instance, heat
also must be applied, or generated, to effect the sealing. The term
"bonding material" as used herein means any type of material or
thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of the
two adjacent portions of the material or sheet of material to
effect the connection or bonding described herein. The term
"bonding material" also includes labels, bands, ribbons, strings,
tape, staples or combinations thereof.
Discussion
[0012] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned
disadvantages of manually wrapping bouquets, as is done in the
prior art, by providing a method and apparatus for automatically
wrapping a sheet of material about a bouquet. A sheet of material
having spaced apart defined first and second portions is placed
against a support member, such as a prepared table top, and the
bouquet is positioned on the sheet with the first and second
portions of the sheet extending on right and left sides,
respectively, of the bouquet. The first sheet portion is then moved
in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet, and the
second sheet portion is moved in a path to at least partially
encompass the bouquet and to extend over part of the first sheet
portion. Such automatic operation insures proper size and shape for
the wrapping material and also assures consistency from one bouquet
to another.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, the two sheet portions
are secured together by a bonding material, or the first and second
portions of the sheet of wrapping material can themselves act as a
bonding material by application of appropriate heat sealing, sonic
welding, vibratory welding, and similar methods. Alternatively, or
additionally, the wrapped bouquet may be elastically or
nonelastically banded.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention, the stem portion of the
bouquet is tightly wrapped by a separate wrapping operation.
[0015] In yet a further aspect of the invention, a member defining
a wrap ring form may be positioned suspended over the sheet of
material, and the bouquet inserted in the wrap ring form. The
wrapping process is then performed, and the wrap ring form provides
a stiff bouquet encompassing structure about which the sheet of
material can be wrapped for improved consistency of shape and size
of the finished wrapped product. This is due to the ability of the
stiff wrap ring form to accommodate the necessary tension forces
applied to the sheet by the wrapping machine, especially at the end
of the wrap cycle. Such forces might otherwise crush the
bouquet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention will now be described having reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bouquet wrap machine according
to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1A shows a partial cross sectional view of the pinch
clamp for holding and manipulating one corner of the sheet of
wrapping material;
[0019] FIG. 1B is a left elevation view of the pinch clamp shown in
FIG. 1A;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view taken along the lines 2--2
in FIG. 1 showing the components of the right hand wrap unit
assembly;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view taken along the lines 3--3
in FIG. 1 and showing the components of the left hand wrap unit
assembly;
[0022] FIG. 3A is a partial right end view of the left hand wrap
unit assembly of FIG. 3.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an end view of the wrap ring member, in both open
and closed positions, taken along the lines 4--4 in FIG. 1, with
some parts removed so as not to obscure the wrapping function;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a right elevation view of the wrap ring member
shown in FIG. 1:
[0025] FIG. 6 is a plan view, in partial cross section, of the
bouquet stem wrapping unit;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the stem wrapping
unit;
[0027] FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the stem wrapping unit
taken along the lines 8--8 in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 9A is a side elevation view of the slide assembly shown
in phantom in FIG. 1; and
[0029] FIG. 9B is a bottom plan view of the slide assembly shown in
FIG. 9A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bouquet wrapping apparatus
showing a portion of a supporting surface or machine top 53 which
is mounted on a machine frame (not shown), and various
subassemblies of the apparatus that are mounted on the machine top
53.
[0031] A right hand wrap unit assembly 1 is generally positioned
and operable from the right hand side of the bouquet to be wrapped.
A sheet of wrapping material S of preselected size is positioned
and clamped to machine top 53 adjacent each of the four corners of
the sheet. In FIG. 1, a portion of the sheet S and a portion of the
machine top 53 are removed so as to be able to view some of the
components of the right hand wrap unit assembly 1 which, in its
initial position, lies below the level of top surface of machine
top 53.
[0032] A left hand wrap unit assembly 2 is shown in phantom lines
in FIG. 1 to be positioned below the sheet S and, in its initial
position, also at a level below the top surface of machine top 53,
as is the initial position of the right hand unit 1. An elongated
slat 53b is provided in machine top 53 to permit left hand wrap
unit assembly 2 to move therethrough and manipulate corner S2 of
the sheet S.
[0033] A stem wrapper unit assembly 3 is positioned adjacent the
stem end of a bouquet to be wrapped, and a fixed clamp assembly 4
functions to clamp the corner S4 in position as shown in the upper
right hand corner of the sheet S in FIG. 1.
[0034] A wrap ring form assembly 5, available in different sizes
depending upon the size of bouquet to be wrapped, is positioned
adjacent the corner S4 of sheet S, the wrap ring 50 being shown in
the closed position in FIG. 1.
[0035] A slide assembly 23, also shown in phantom in FIG. 1, is
mounted beneath the machine top 53 and serves the function of
moving the right hand unit 1 away from the wrapped bouquet at the
end of the wrapping cycle.
[0036] The bouquet wrap apparatus of FIG. 1 is a self contained
machine for use with a preselected size sheet S of plastic film,
clear or colored, painted or unpainted, printed or unprinted. The
sheets S may be pre-cut sheets, or automatically dispensed from a
roll dispenser which feeds a sheet of desired size to the proper
working position on the machine top 53.
[0037] The basic operation of the apparatus is as follows. The
sheet S is held down at or adjacent each corner by a hold down
mechanism for each corner, yet to be described in detail. It is
sufficient at this point in the description to simply indicate that
the four corners of sheet S are held or clamped by pinch clamp 11
on corner S1, vacuum cup 29 at corner S2, pinch clamp 40 at corner
S3, and fixed clamp plunger 48 at corner S4. The wrap ring support
member 50 of the wrap ring assembly 5 then opens, as best seen by
the phantom lines in FIG. 4, to accept a bundled bouquet with the
stems of the bouquet directed to the corner S3 of the sheet S, and
with the stems confined within a U-shaped stem holder 44. The bloom
end of the bouquet is positioned within the wrap ring support
member 50.
[0038] With the sheet clamped at all four corners and the wrap ring
support member 50 closed,. the right hand wrap unit assembly 1
rises to pull corner S1 of the sheet of material up and around the
bouquet to a position greater than 180.degree.about the periphery
of the bouquet, with the pinch clamp 11 coming to rest adjacent the
periphery of the wrap ring support member 50 and toward the rear of
the machine top 53. This completes the first part of the wrap
cycle.
[0039] At, after, or before completion of the first part of the
wrap cycle, the left hand wrap unit assembly 2 carries the corner
S2 of the sheet of material up and about the bouquet to be wrapped
and comes to rest with the suction cup 29 adjacent the periphery of
wrap ring support member 50 toward the front of machine top 53.
This second part of the wrap cycle obviously causes the corner S2
to overlap the sheet of material by a substantial amount so that
the portion of material between the outer surface of the sheet
adjacent corner S1 and the inner surface of the sheet adjacent
corner S2 is sufficient to provide a large overlapping contact area
and, if desired, adequate adhesion or coadhesion between the two
facing surfaces. The left hand wrap unit assembly 2 manipulates the
corner S2 in a path so as to first overlap the sheet adjacent
corner S1, but spaced therefrom, and then make contact between the
overlapping sheet portions.
[0040] After completion of the second part of the wrap cycle by
left hand wrap unit assembly 2, the stem wrap unit assembly 3
operates to tightly wrap the corner S3 of the sheet of material
tightly about the stem portion of the bouquet.
[0041] After adhesion, coadhesion, heat sealing, sonic sealing,
vibratory sealing, elastic banding, nonelastic banding, or the like
to keep the wrapped bouquet secure, all sheet clamps are released,
wrap ring support member 50 is opened, slide unit 23 operates to
push the right hand wrap unit assembly 1 away from machine top 53,
and both right and left hand wrap unit assemblies 1 and 2 retract
to beneath machine top 53. The operator then removes the wrapped
bouquet, stems first, from the U-shaped stem holder 44, completing
the cycle.
[0042] The operation of the right hand wrap unit assembly 1 will
now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, and
2. A C-shaped rocker arm 6 having an H-shaped cross section is
confined to move along the periphery of a circular path the center
of which is the center of an imaginary circle having a segment of
its periphery defining the C-shape of the rocker arm 6. In its
initial position, rocker arm 6 is located beneath machine top 53 as
shown by solid lines in FIG. 2. The ends 6b and 6c of rocker arm 6
are cut at an angle so as to not interfere with the sheet of
material positioned on machine top 53. A pair of rollers 6d and 6e
confine the movement of rocker arm 6 to the aforementioned circular
path by rolling against the circular outer periphery 6f and the
circular inner surface 6a, respectively. Aiding in confining the
rocker arm 6 to its circular path are a number of rocker support
clips 22 each having a tab (not shown) which slidably fits within
one of the edge slots on either side of the rocker arm 6, the slots
defined by the H-shaped cross section of rocker arm 6.
[0043] A right hand unit angle mount 21 supports the entire
mechanism of right hand wrap unit assembly 1. Angle mount 21 mounts
the operational parts of right hand wrap unit assembly 1 on its
vertically oriented portion, and the horizontal portion of angle
mount 21 is securely affixed to the end of slide 27, so that right
hand wrap unit assembly 1 can be moved to the right (in FIG. 1)
after completion of the wrap cycle.
[0044] Fixed to the angle mount 21 is a pivot pin 18a about which
rocker cylinder pivot standoff 18 is positioned to locate rocker
cylinder 55 spaced from other components of right hand wrap unit
assembly 1 and permit rocker cylinder 55 to pivot about pin 18a.
Rocker cylinder 55 is shown as a pneumatic or hydraulic piston
cylinder which reciprocates a piston shaft 55a having its distal
end pivoted about pivot pin 17a and spaced from rocker arm 6 by a
rocker arm standoff 17. Pivot pin 17a is fixed to the far right
hand end of rocker arm 6 as shown in FIG. 2. Operation of rocker
cylinder 55 causes shaft 55a to either pull or push against pivot
pin 17a and effect the movement of rocker arm 6 along the
aforementioned circular path. In the fully closed position of
piston shaft 55a, rocker arm 6 will have the position shown by
dashed lines in FIG. 2.
[0045] For ease in discussing the operation of the various active
elements of the invention, the term "cylinder" as used hereinafter
will refer to a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or any other
mechanism which is capable of applying reciprocal motion to an
object. Each of these types of elements are depicted in the
drawings as pneumatic cylinders.
[0046] Before operation of cylinder 55 to raise the right hand wrap
unit assembly 1, the corner S1 of sheet S is clamped by a pinch
clamp 11, the details of which are best seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
The side view of the pinch clamp 11 in FIG. 1A shows a right hand
clamp arm 10 affixed to right hand cushion cylinder head 9 (see
FIG. 1) which, in turn, is fixed to the end of piston shaft 56a and
cushion cylinder slide rods 16. The end of pinch clamp 11 is
flattened to form an upper jaw 11c. The free end of clamp arm 10 is
narrowed and flattened to form a lower jaw 10c of the pinch clamp
11. A slot 10a near the end of clamp arm 10 permits the vertically
oriented thinned portion of pinch clamp 11 to move within slot 10a
(FIG. 1B). Pinch clamp 11 itself is pivoted about pin 11a fixed to
clamp arm 10 and has a slot 11b angled with respect to a
cooperating slot 10b in clamp arm 10. A pin 12a passes through
slots 10b and 11b and is fixed to each side of a U-shaped clamp
actuator 12. A tab 12b of actuator 12 is reciprocated by action of
a clamp cylinder 62. As tab 12b is reciprocated, actuator 12
reciprocates and causes the jaws 10c and 11c to open and close
depending upon whether the movement of actuator 12 is to the right
or left in FIG. 1A. In the open position of clamp 11, a sheet S can
be moved into its predetermined position for clamping, and at the
beginning of the wrap cycle, cylinder 62 operates to close jaws 10c
and 11c to clamp the corner S1 of the sheet of material
therebetween.
[0047] With the material clamped by pinch clamp 11, cylinder 55 is
operated to retract piston 55a into cylinder 55. This pulls pin 17a
to the left in FIG. 2 and moves rocker arm 6 in a circular path as
previously described.
[0048] Near the left end of rocker arm 6 a pivot pin 8a passes
through a swing gear guard 14, a pinion gear 8, and a solid angle
piece referred to hereinafter as a swing block 7, all of such
components being fixed to rocker arm 6 by the pivot pin or screw
8a. A right hand swing cylinder 57 is fixed to the approximate
center of rocker arm 6 by screws 57a and carries a rack 20 at the
end of the piston shaft 57b. The rack 20 has a system of teeth
which mesh with and cooperate with the teeth of pinion gear 8
affixed or keyed to swing block 7, such that movement of the piston
shaft 57b effects rotation of pinion gear 8 by the reciprocal
motion of rack 20 at the appropriate times in the wrap cycle. Thus,
when cylinder 55 retracts piston shaft 55a, pivot pin or screw 8a
begins to rise in the path illustrated in FIG. 2, resulting in a
swinging movement of the elements connected to rocker arm 6,
including cylinder 56 and, in turn, right hand clamp arm 10 with
the corner S1 of the sheet material being clamped thereto.
[0049] At the beginning of the operation of right hand wrap unit
assembly 1, cylinder 57 is not activated and has its piston 57b
fully retracted. This permits right hand cushion cylinder 56 to lie
relatively flat beneath the machine top 53 and extending to the
left in FIG. 2. As cylinder 55 retracts piston 55a, swing block 7
which supports cushion cylinder 56 moves upwardly as rocker arm 6
follows its circular path.
[0050] At a prescribed position of the rocker arm 6, swing cylinder
57 begins to force piston 57b outwardly rotating pinion gear 8, by
the action of rack 20, in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 2.
Since pinion gear 8 is fixed or keyed to swing block 7, right hand
cushion cylinder 56 rotates clockwise as well, pivoting about pin
or screw 8a. In this manner, the corner S1 of the sheet of material
is first brought upwardly and then the sheet begins to wrap about
the bouquet with the interior portion of the sheet forming around
wrap ring support member 50.
[0051] This contact of the sheet of material with support member
50, in effect, limits the upward movement of the sheet of material
so that the diameter of the swing of wrap unit assembly 1 must
necessarily be reduced; otherwise, the corner S1 would slip out of
pinch clamp 11, or it would tear. This is accomplished by the
operation of cylinders 56 and 57, the former causing the radius of
the swing movement to directly decrease as a result of the
retraction of piston 56a into cushion cylinder 56 and telescopic
retraction of cushion cylinder slide rods 16 within cushion
cylinder fixed rods 15. Telescoping rods 15, 16 provide strength
and stability to the operation of cushion cylinder 56. Operation of
cylinder 57 brings the right hand clamp arm 10 down into position
against the far side of wrap ring support member 50, i.e. to a
position greater than 180.degree.about the periphery of the
bouquet, to complete the first part of the wrap cycle.
[0052] Toward the end of the first part of the wrap cycle, or after
completion thereof, as desired, the left hand wrap unit assembly
begins to function (see FIG. 3).
[0053] At the start of the next part of the wrap cycle, the left
hand wrap unit assembly 2 is entirely located beneath the machine
top 53. Pneumatic cylinders 58, 59, and 60 are in their retracted
positions, and suction cup 29 is located substantially level with
the top of machine top 53.
[0054] The left hand wrap unit assembly 2 is comprised primarily of
a pair of C-shaped swing arms, a main swing arm 30 and a secondary
swing arm which has a stub portion 31 extending to a cushion arm 32
having the vacuum cup 29 attached to the free end thereof.
Secondary swing arm stub portion 31 is pivotally attached to
cushion arm 32 by a pivot member 31a, and relative pivotal movement
between these two members is effected by the operation of cushion
cylinder 60.
[0055] FIG. 3a shows the end of cushion arm 32 having a conical
shaped roller 34 rotatable about a roller mount screw 35 on one
side thereof, and a vacuum cup holder 33 with vacuum cup 29
positioned on the opposite side. A vacuum pump (not shown) is
connected to vacuum cup 29 after the sheet of material S is in
position on machine top 53 and the wrapping procedure is ready to
begin. In operation, a vacuum is applied to vacuum cup 29 to hold
the corner S2 of the sheet of material in place even before the
actuation of the right hand wrap unit assembly 1.
[0056] At the appropriate time in the wrapping sequence, cylinder
58 is actuated to extend its cylinder and the rack 58a attached
thereto. Cylinder 58, by screws 58d, is mounted to left hand swing
arm mounting bracket 53b which is attached to the bottom of machine
top 53. As rack 58a moves outwardly from cylinder 58, a pinion gear
58b fixed or keyed to the left end of main swing arm 30 begins to
rotate about its shaft 58c. This causes the entire left hand wrap
unit assembly 2 to begin swinging upwardly about the pivot member
58c, resulting in the vacuum cup 29 carrying corner S2 of the sheet
of material up and about the bouquet to be wrapped.
[0057] It will be appreciated that the inner surface of the corner
S2 of the sheet of material may have an adhesive or coadhesive
which will adhere to the outer surface of the corner S1 of the
sheet of material in the overlapping area of the final
configuration. Accordingly, it is not advisable to drag the
material across previously wrapped material, since premature
attachment of the overlapping portions of the material would occur.
Positioning the main and secondary swing arms 30, 31, 32 so as to
have the fullest extent possible keeps the corner S2, and the
adjacent portion of the sheet material, well away from the
previously wrapped portion.
[0058] As the left hand wrap unit assembly 2 rises and brings
corner S2 over the previously wrapped portion of the bouquet, at a
prescribed position cylinder 59, mounted to the main swing arm 30
by screws 59b, begins to push rack 59a outwardly. As it does,
pinion gear 59b, fixed or keyed to the left end of secondary swing
arm stub portion 31, begins to rotate about shaft 59c. This reduces
the diameter of the swing arm movement and begins to bring the
corner S2 of the sheet of material closer to the partially wrapped
bouquet, such action providing the same benefits as that previously
described in connection with the radius-reducing action of the
right hand wrap unit assembly 1. In the instant case, however, an
additional feature is provided in the form of conical roller 34
which is shaped and positioned to meet with and roll against the
conforming conical surface of wrap ring support member 50 near the
completion of the wrap cycle.
[0059] Just before the completion of the wrap cycle, cylinder 60
extends to move the free end of cushion arm 32 closer to support
member 50 so that roller 34 can positively and firmly roll against
support member 50. Also, the last movement of the free end of
cushion arm 32 brings the sheet of material into intimate contact
with the previously partially wrapped bouquet so that the two
portions of the overlapping sheet of material can be adhered to one
another without dragging the material across itself at the end of
the wrapping procedure.
[0060] FIGS. 4 and 5 will now be described, these figures showing
the wrap ring assembly 5 in more detail. FIG. 4 is a view taken
along the lines 4--4 in FIG. 1 except that some components have
been removed from what actually would be viewed from that location
so as not to obstruct the operation of the wrapping cylinder
actuator 70 which is best seen in FIG. 4.
[0061] As previously indicated, at the beginning of the first
portion of the wrap cycle, the wrap ring support member 50 opens up
to allow a bouquet to be inserted with the bloom end oriented
toward the wrap ring support member 50. Wrap ring support member 50
comprises two halves 50a and 50b, the bottoms of which are
connected to a wrap ring linkage 51 by hinges 73. Also mounted on
wrap ring linkage 51 is the cylinder portion of a wrap ring
cylinder 66 having a cylinder piston shaft 69 reciprocating within
wrap ring cylinder 66. Mounted to the end of piston shaft 69 is an
elongated pivot rod 74 which provides a pivot axis for the two
links 71 which have their upper ends pivoted to a common pivot axis
at pivot rod 74 and their lower ends separately pivotable about
pivot pins 75 at the upper ends of a pair of standoffs 72 welded or
otherwise fixed to the respective wrap ring support member halves
50a and 50b.
[0062] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the solid lines show the wrap ring
support member 50 in a closed position due to the fact that the
wrap ring cylinder piston shaft 69 is fully extended from wrap ring
cylinder 66. When cylinder piston shaft 69 is retracted into wrap
ring cylinder 66, pivot rod 74 is moved downwardly, and ultimately
standoffs 72 assume a substantially vertical position as shown in
dashed lines in FIG. 4. In this condition, the wrap ring support
member 50 is in its fully open position. Also shown in dashed lines
in FIG. 4 is the position of the two wrap ring support member
halves 50a and 50b in the fully open position.
[0063] Below machine top 53 is a ring pin receiver 49 upon which is
mounted a number of electrical microswitches 76a-76d. Each
microswitch is operated by the pushing of an associated switch
button 77a-77d on each microswitch.
[0064] A wrap ring pin 52 is fixed to the wrap ring linkage 51 and
has a length which is predetermined by the size of the wrap ring
support member 50. That is, the invention is able to accommodate a
variety of sizes of bouquets to be wrapped, and for each size wrap,
in order to obtain the optimum wrapping for a pleasing appearance
and security, the wrap ring support member 50 must be a different
size as well. By way or example, and without limitation, the wrap
ring support member 50 may accommodate bouquets having a bloom
diameter of 4", 5", 6"and 8". For a 4"bouquet, the wrap ring pin 52
would be of a length sufficient to only operate button 77a on
microswitch 76a. This sets the electrical circuit which operates
the left hand and right hand wrap unit assemblies 1 and 2 so as to
establish the required path and timing and to manipulate the sheet
of material S in an optimum manner to produce a secure and pleasing
wrapped bouquet product. The effects of operating one or more of
microswitches 76a-76d will be explained later.
[0065] When wrap ring assembly 5 is removed and another sized wrap
ring assembly is to be substituted, lock-down screw 51a is
loosened, wrap ring linkage 51 is grasped, and the assembly 5 is
raised withdrawing pin 52 from sleeve 49a. The replacement assembly
5 is then installed by inserting its pin 52 into sleeve 49a and
tightening screw 51a. In the embodiment illustrated, if the
replacement assembly 5 is for wrapping a 5"bouquet, the pin 52
would be of a length to operate microswitches 76a and 76b. For a
6"bouquet, microswitches 76a-76c are operated, and for an
8"bouquet, all microswitches 76a-76d are operated. An appropriate
circuit (not shown) is responsive to the four different electrical
responses to set up the required path and timing which are optimum
for the different sized bouquets to be wrapped.
[0066] As can be appreciated by reference to FIG. 5, the wrap ring
support member 50 is supported suspended above the machine top 53
to permit a sheet of material S to slide between wrap ring linkage
51 and the top surface of machine top 53. Wrap ring linkage 51 is
rigidly held in the suspended position by means of a manual
lock-down screw 51a which is screwed into machine top 53 until wrap
ring linkage 51 is clamped securely against a spacer washer 51b
which surrounds pin 52. Wrap ring pin 52 is further secured into
cooperative relationship with switch buttons 77a-77d by means of
sleeve 49a which has an inside diameter just slightly larger than
the outside diameter of pin 52. Sleeve 49a is also secured to the
machine top 53.
[0067] FIG. 5 also best shows the operation of the sheet clamp 4
which comprises a fixed clamp cylinder 61 screwed into a fixed
clamp cylinder mount 47 attached to the bottom of machine top 53.
An opening 53a is provided in the machine top 53 so as to permit
piston plunger 48 of the fixed clamp 4 to reciprocate within
cylinder 61. Upon extension of the piston plunger 48 upwardly (in
FIG. 5), the sheet of material will be clamped against the bottom
of wrap ring linkage 51 to hold the sheet of material in place
during the entire wrapping operation. Cylinder 61 is de-energized
at the conclusion of the wrap cycle so that the completely wrapped
bouquet can be easily removed from the assembly.
[0068] FIGS. 6-8 show the operation of the stem wrapper unit
assembly 3. FIG. 6 is the view from the top of the apparatus, FIG.
7 is a side elevation view, and FIG. 8 is an end view as would be
seen by the stem portion of the bouquet to be wrapped. Basically,
the stem wrapper unit assembly 3 comprises a motor 68 (turning at
154 RPM) driving a gear assembly 46, 37 which rotates a half
cylinder shaped stem wrapper 36, and a moving pinch clamp assembly
40 which extends within the center of wrapper 36.
[0069] Before the beginning of the wrap cycle, moving pinch clamp
assembly 40 is retracted to the left as shown in dashed lines in
FIG. 7 by the action of wrapper clamp slide cylinder 64 pushing its
piston 64a out of the cylinder 64. Also, wrapper clamp cylinder 63
has its piston 63a retracted as shown in solid lines in FIG. 7,
which pulls to the left the tab of a wrapper clamp actuator 43,
thereby opening the jaws of pinch clamp 40. The operation of
cylinder 63 and moving pinch clamp assembly 40 is very similar to
that described in connection with FIG. 1 where the operation of
cylinder 62 was detailed. Accordingly, no additional operating
functions are necessary to be explained at this juncture except to
indicate that the cylinder 63 is mounted to a wrapper clamp
cylinder mount 41 which, itself, reciprocates axially of wrapper 36
by the action of wrapper clamp slide cylinder 64. Accordingly,
cylinder 64 operates to move the entire pinch clamp assembly 40
toward and away from the edge of the sheet S, while cylinder 63
operates to close and open the jaws of pinch clamp 40.
[0070] Thus, before the wrap cycle begins, cylinder 64 has its
piston shaft 64a extended to move the wrapper clamp cylinder mount
41 to the left (in FIG. 7), and cylinder 63 has its piston shaft
63a withdrawn so as to pull wrapper clamp actuator 43 to the left,
opening the jaws of pinch clamp 40. After a sheet of material S is
placed on machine top 53 and the corner S3 is slipped over the
edges of wrapper 36, cylinder 64 is actuated to move the wrapper
clamp arm 42 and wrapper clamp cylinder mount 41 to the right,
resulting in the pinch clamp 40 positioned with its opened jaws
receiving corner S3 of the sheet of material. Subsequently,
cylinder 63 is actuated to extend its piston shaft 63a to cause
wrapper clamp actuator 43 to close the jaws of pinch clamp 40 and
clamp the corner S3 of the sheet of material in place.
[0071] FIG. 8 shows an optional stem wrapper safety cover 45 which
is hinged at 45a by any manner of hinging to machine top 53. In
this way, the operation of the stem wrapping unit 3 can be
completed without exposure of the rotating cylinder wrapper 36
which could be a threat to the safety of the operator.
[0072] After the sheet of material S is deposited on the surface of
machine top 53, the jaws of pinch clamp 40 clamp the corner S3 into
position, the wrap ring support member 50 opens and the bouquet of
flowers to be wrapped is placed on the top of sheet S with the
stems contained within the U-shaped stem holder 44. The cover 45 is
then closed, and the operator initiates the wrapping cycle. At the
appropriate point in the wrapping cycle, gear assembly 46 rotates
wrapper gear 37 to, in turn, rotate the cylindrical-shaped wrapper
36 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 8.
[0073] In FIG. 8, the position of wrapper 36 is shown in the
orientation just prior to the wrapping operation. After the first
and second halves of the wrapping cycle are completed by the left
hand and right hand wrap unit assemblies 1 and 2, or just prior to
such completion, cylinder 36 beings to rotate counterclockwise as
seen in FIG. 8.
[0074] A relatively strong leaf spring 78 is mounted at one of its
ends by leaf spring mount 79 to the inside surface of wrapper 36.
Leaf spring 78 is pretensioned to apply a force upwardly at its
left free end as shown in FIG. 8. Leaf spring 78, however, is
prevented from having its left end move upwardly by the provision
of a stop 80 also mounted to the inside surface of wrapper 36
diametrically opposite spring mount 79. This construction permits
the leaf spring 78 to be pushed in a counterclockwise direction
when the force against it, during the wrapping operation, exceeds
its spring force tending to push it against stop 80.
[0075] When the stems of the bouquet to be wrapped are placed in
U-shaped stem holder 44, the stems at the bottom of the bouquet
rest against the top surface of leaf spring 78, since the bottom of
the U-shaped stem holder 44 is located beneath leaf spring 78. At
the appropriate time, near or after the sheet of material S is
wrapped around the bouquet, motor 68 begins to rotate to, in turn,
rotate stem wrapper 36 in a counterclockwise direction. With the
stems of the bouquet captured between the walls of U-shaped stem
holder 44, leaf spring 78 applies a strong spring force against the
sheet of material to press it tightly against the stem portion of
the bouquet. Since the bouquet itself is being held stationary, and
since the sheet of material has been fully wrapped around the
bouquet, stem wrapper 36 adds security to the wrapped bouquet by
pressing the wrapping tightly against the stem portion of the
bouquet. If the portion of the sheet of material has an adhesive
coating on it at the location of wrapper 36, the leaf spring 78
will create overlapping folds which maintain their pressed
condition due to the adhesive and to the applied pressure by leaf
spring 78 as wrapper 36 rotates about the stem portion of the
bouquet.
[0076] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stem wrapper
36 rotates two times about the stem portion of the bouquet and
comes to a stop in the same position as its starting position to
allow the bouquet to be easily removed from the apparatus by
raising the stem wrapper cover 45 and simply removing the bouquet
by an upward movement, stems first. Of course, by this time, i.e.
after completion of the number of turns that wrapper 36 makes,
cylinder 63 retracts its piston shaft 63a, and cylinder 64 extends
its piston shaft 64a to release the sheet of material from moving
clamp jaws 40. Before or after removal of the bouquet from the
apparatus, the wrap may be maintained about the bouquet or floral
grouping using an elastic or nonelastic band, a decorative tie,
adhesives and cohesives, ribbons, ribbons with adhesive, bows,
stickers which can be decorative and/or informative or simply
plain, tapes, heat sealing, sonic sealing and welding, wire ties,
tie wraps, curl film, dead-fold plastic ties, dead-fold wrapping
material in part or in whole, or other banding and/or bonding
material.
[0077] Prior to removal of the completely wrapped bouquet, the left
and right hand wrap unit assemblies 1 and 2 will still be in the
vicinity of the wrap ring support member 50 with corners S1 and S2
still being held by jaws 11 and suction cup 29.
[0078] Suction cup 29 can be easily released by simply relieving
the negative pressure applied to suction cup 29 and retracting the
left hand wrap unit assembly in the reverse order of operating
cylinders 58, 59, and 60 described. However, the jaws 11 of the
right hand wrap unit assembly, even though released, may still
interfere with the sheet of material if the sheet material is much
larger than the bouquet being wrapped leaving a large skirt portion
extending beyond the wrap ring support member 50. To prevent
interference of the right hand wrap unit assembly with the sheet of
material of the wrapped bouquet at the completion of the wrapping
cycle, a slide subassembly 23 is provided. This assembly is screw
mounted to the bottom side of the machine top 53 and is shown in
phantom lines in FIG. 1 as it would be viewed from the top of the
apparatus, is shown from the side in FIG. 9A, and is shown from the
bottom as in FIG. 9B.
[0079] The slide subassembly 23 basically comprises a slide member
27, similar to that of a furniture drawer slide, and an actuator.
The slide member 27 itself is comprised of a U-shaped outer channel
member 27a and a U-shaped inner channel member 27b which slides
within the outer channel 27a in a manner known in the furniture
art. Appropriate bearings (not shown) may be provided to assist in
reducing the friction in the extension and retraction directions of
the slide movement.
[0080] In the instant case, the outer slide member 27a is fixed and
mounted to the underside of machine top 53 by slide mount spacers
26, slide mounts (forward and rear) 28, and bolts and nut
combinations 28a.
[0081] At the free end of the moveable slide member 27b, a slide
cylinder rod mount 24 is rigidly mounted by means of a bolt 24a
passing through a hole in right hand unit angle mount 21 and
through a moveable slide member spacer 25. For security, a second
bolt 24b is shown to secure right hand unit angle mount 21 to the
distal end- of moveable slide member 27b.
[0082] The entire slide assembly 27 is mounted at an angle to the
longitudinal direction of right hand unit angle mount 21, the angle
being chosen to move the clamp 11 away from the wrapped bouquet and
along a line which would pass through the location of pinch clamp
11 and would lie against the surface of the wrapped conical-shaped
bouquet. Since clamp 11 comes to rest at the end of the wrapped
cycle on the far side of wrap ring support member 50, the direction
of movement of the entire right hand wrap unit assembly by the
action of slide 27 is substantially in line with the material lying
on the far side of the bouquet.
[0083] Also mounted to the bottom of machine top 53, and taking
advantage of the mounting screws already provided for fixing the
fixed slide member 27a to the bottom of machine top 53, is a slide
cylinder 65. Cylinder 65 actuates a piston 65a which has its
operating end attached to slide cylinder rod mount 24. It can be
appreciated that all of the elements of the right hand wrap unit
assembly 1 are mounted on right hand unit angle mount 21 which is
rigidly mounted to the end of moveable slide member 27b. Therefore,
as piston 65a moves out of and into cylinder 65, the entire right
hand wrap unit assembly 1 moves away and toward the machine top 53.
As with all of the other elements which move during the wrapping
process, the timing of the slide movement is electronically
controlled to be effective at the appropriate time in the wrap
cycle.
[0084] The timing of the complete wrap cycle will now be described.
It should be appreciated that, prior to the start of the operation,
the appropriate sized wrap ring support member 50 will have been
chosen so as to select the appropriate number of microswitches
76a-76d that will be activated by pin 52 which thereby sets the
proper electrical parameters and timing for the ensuing
operations.
[0085] First, a preselected sized sheet of plastic film, clear or
colored, painted or unpainted, printed or unprinted, adhesive
coated or not, is selected from a stack of pre-cut sheets or
automated with a dispenser which feeds a sheet from a roll to the
proper working position on the machine top 53. With the sheet in
place, an operator pushes a start button (not shown). The sheet of
material S is then clamped at all four corners S1-S4 by extending
and closing pitch clamp 11 at corner S1, by applying negative
pressure to the suction cup 29 at corner S2, by movement of pinch
clamp assembly 40 toward the sheet of material and then clamping
the material at corner S3, and by actuating cylinder 61 to cause
plunger 48 to press corner S4 against the bottom of wrap ring
linkage 51. At substantially the same time, cylinder 66 retracts to
open wrap ring support member 50 so as to be able to receive a
bouquet of flowers. Thus, with the appropriate sized wrap ring
support member 50 in place, the stem wrapper cover 45 is opened and
a bouquet is placed with the flowers in the wrap ring 50 and the
stems in the stem holder 44 in stem wrapper unit assembly 3.
[0086] The operator then closes cover 45 over the stems and pushes
another button (not shown) to start the wrapping cycle.
[0087] The wrap ring assembly 5 closes by the extension of cylinder
66 and the right hand wrap unit assembly 1 carries the right hand
side of the film sheet to wrap around the bouquet and wrap ring
support member 50 from right to left. Then, the left hand wrap unit
assembly 2 carries the left side of the film sheet to wrap from
left to right, and finally the stem wrap unit 3 tightens the
wrapping of the stems of the bouquet. At the conclusion of the wrap
cycle, the corner clamps are released in the manner previously
described, slide subassembly 23 slides right hand wrap unit
assembly 1 away from the wrapped bouquet, the right and left hand
wrap unit assemblies 1, 2 retract to their initial position, and
the operator lifts cover 45 and removes the wrapped bouquet, stems
first, by pulling the wrapped stem portion away from wrap ring
support member 50, thereby pulling the bloom end of the wrapped
bouquet through the closed wrap ring support member 50 with the
sheet of material S sliding by the outer periphery of support
member 50, completing the cycle.
[0088] Preferably, after clamping the sheet of material, the
corners S1 and S2 are held in slight tension by cylinders 56 and 60
to approximately one half to one pound tension.
[0089] The wrap ring support member 50 is specifically designed to
have a truncated conical shape and an average diameter of
approximately 4", 5", 6", and 8". This allows wrapping the cone of
the film material tightly without damaging or crushing the bouquet
and automatically sets up the required path of the right hand and
left hand wrap unit assemblies 1, 2. That is, for a larger diameter
bouquet to be wrapped, the extent of the movement of the racks
which swing the left and right hand wrap unit assemblies 1, 2 about
the bouquet, is greater than it would be for a smaller diameter
bouquet. These movement and timing functions, which result in
corresponding mechanical movement functions, can be controlled by a
central processor or any type of electromechanical timing element.
Such electronic and electromechanical timing devices are well known
in various arts, including washing machines, VCRs, and the like,
and no discussion of the operation of such devices is deemed
necessary or warranted in this description.
[0090] The specific arrangement described herein is merely one
example of a preferred embodiment of the invention. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in
the construction and in the operation of the various components,
elements and assemblies described herein, or in the steps or the
sequence of steps of the methods described herein, without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example,
with a mathematical analysis of the desired path for a particular
size bouquet, a cam or gear system could be designed to force the
sheet clamps 11 and 29 to follow a prescribed path without having
to operate a series of actuators during movement of the right and
left hand wrap unit assemblies 1 and 2. Further, an automatic
bonding unit can be employed to bond the overlapped area of the
sheet. For example roller 34 could be heated or vibrated to effect
bonding between itself and the rigid wrap ring support member 50.
Optionally, an automatic bonding unit could be employed to place an
elastic or nonelastic band about the wrapped bouquet. Accordingly,
the invention is to be interpreted only as to the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *