U.S. patent application number 10/393711 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for method of wrapping a bouquet.
Invention is credited to Craig, Franklin J., Fantz, Paul, Weder, Donald E..
Application Number | 20030177741 10/393711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25535920 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030177741 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fantz, Paul ; et
al. |
September 25, 2003 |
Method of wrapping a bouquet
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet about
a bouquet of flowers. The sheet 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, 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.
PO BOX 16370
OKLAHOMA CITY
OK
73114
US
|
Family ID: |
25535920 |
Appl. No.: |
10/393711 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10393711 |
Mar 21, 2003 |
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10207714 |
Jul 25, 2002 |
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6553741 |
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10207714 |
Jul 25, 2002 |
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09975679 |
Oct 11, 2001 |
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6425225 |
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09975679 |
Oct 11, 2001 |
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09747197 |
Dec 22, 2000 |
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6343457 |
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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: |
53/499 ;
53/399 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 25/023
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/499 ;
53/399 |
International
Class: |
B65B 013/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A plant package comprising a sheet of material and a floral
grouping, the plant package produced by the method of: providing a
floral grouping having a bloom end with one or more blooms and a
stem portion comprising one or more stems; providing a sheet of
material selected from the group of materials consisting of plastic
or polymer films, fibers or fabric, metallic and non-metallic
foils, paper, cellulose, leather, burlap, waxed sheet material,
starched or sugared sheet material, and laminates, or combinations
thereof; placing the sheet of material on a support surface;
positioning the floral grouping on the sheet of material;
automatically gripping a first portion of the sheet of material via
a gripping unit; automatically gripping a second portion of the
sheet of material; automatically moving the gripped first portion
of the sheet of material over the stem portion of the floral
grouping via movement of the first gripping unit to a position
adjacent the second portion of the sheet of material; and
automatically bonding the gripped first portion of the sheet of
material to the second portion of the sheet of material wherein a
portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is covered by
the sheet of material.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via an elastic or nonelastic band, a decorative tie, an
adhesive or cohesive material, a ribbon, a bow, a sticker, a tape,
a heat seal, a sonic seal, a wire tie, a tie wrap, curl film, a
dead-fold plastic tie, or a dead-fold wrapping material.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via an elastic band.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a nonelastic band.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a decorative tie.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via an adhesive or cohesive material.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a ribbon.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a bow.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a sticker.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a tape.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a heat seal.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a sonic seal.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a wire tie.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a tie wrap.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a curl film.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a deadfold plastic tie.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the gripped first portion of the
sheet of material is bonded to the second portion of the sheet of
material via a dead-fold wrapping material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. Serial No.
10/207,714, filed Jul. 25, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S.
Serial No. 09/975,679, filed Oct. 11, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.
6,424,225; which is a continuation of U.S. Serial No. 09/747,197,
filed Dec. 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,457; which is a
continuation of U.S. Serial No. 09/249,570, filed Feb. 12, 1999,
now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Serial No.
09/018,386, filed Feb. 4, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,063; which
is a continuation of U.S. Serial No. 08/694,130, filed Aug. 8,
1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,099; which is a continuation of U.S.
Serial No. 08/291,378, filed Aug. 16, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No.
5,564,257; which is a continuation of U.S. Serial No. 07/990,226,
filed Dec. 14, 1992, now abandoned. The specification of each of
the above-referenced applications is hereby expressly incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] 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.
[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0005] 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 the
person's 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] There is, therefore, a clear need in the art for a method
and apparatus for automatically wrapping floral groupings which
provide 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
[0008] Definitions
[0009] The material which comprises the sheet of material S is
preferably selected from the group of materials consisting of:
man-made organic polymeric 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.
[0010] "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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] Discussion
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] In another aspect of the invention, the stem portion of the
bouquet is tightly wrapped by a separate wrapping operation.
[0018] 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
[0019] The invention will now be described having reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bouquet wrap machine according to
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view of a pinch clamp
for holding and manipulating one corner of a sheet of wrapping
material;
[0022] FIG. 1B is a left elevational view of the pinch clamp shown
in FIG. 1A;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view taken along line 2-2 in FIG.
1 showing the components of a right-hand wrap unit assembly;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.
1 and showing the components of a left-hand wrap unit assembly;
[0025] FIG. 3A is a partial right end view of the left-hand wrap
unit assembly of FIG. 3;
[0026] FIG. 4 is an end view of a wrap ring member, in both open
and closed positions, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1, with some
parts removed so as not to obscure the wrapping function;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a right elevation view of the wrap ring member
shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan view, in partial cross section, of a
bouquet stem wrapping unit;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the bouquet stem wrapping
unit of FIG. 6;
[0030] FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the bouquet stem wrapping
unit taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 9A is a side elevation view of a slide assembly shown
in phantom in FIG. 1; and
[0032] FIG. 9B is a bottom plan view of the slide assembly shown in
FIG. 9A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bouquet wrapping machine
showing a portion of a machine top 53 (also referred to herein as a
support surface) which is mounted on a machine frame (not shown),
and various subassemblies of the apparatus that are mounted on the
machine top 53.
[0034] A right-hand wrap unit assembly 1 is generally positioned
and operable from the right-hand side of a bouquet to be wrapped. A
sheet of wrapping material S (also referred to herein as a sheet)
of preselected size is positioned and clamped to machine top 53
adjacent each of the four corners S1, S2, S3 and S4 of the sheet S.
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 a top surface 54a of machine top
53.
[0035] 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 54a of machine top
53, as is the initial position of the right-hand wrap unit assembly
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.
[0036] A stem wrapper assembly 3 is positioned adjacent a stem end
of the 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.
[0037] A wrap ring form assembly 5, comprising a wrap ring support
member 50, 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 is shown in the closed position in FIG.
1.
[0038] 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 wrap unit assembly 1 away from the wrapped
bouquet at the end of the wrapping cycle.
[0039] The bouquet wrap apparatus of FIG. 1 is a self-contained
machine for use with the preselected size sheet S of plastic film,
clear or colored, painted or unpainted, printed or unprinted. The
sheet 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.
[0040] The basic operation of the apparatus is as follows. The
sheet S is held down at or adjacent each corner S1-S4 by a hold
down mechanism for each corner S1-S4, yet to be described in
detail. It is sufficient at this point in the description to simply
indicate that the four corners S1-S4 of sheet S are held or clamped
by a pinch clamp 11 on corner S1 (also referred to herein as a
first gripping unit), a vacuum cup 29 (also referred to herein as a
second gripping unit) at corner S2, a pinch clamp 40 at corner S3,
and a fixed clamp plunger 48 at corner S4. The wrap ring support
member 50 of the wrap ring form 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.
[0041] With the sheet S clamped at all four corners S1-S4 and the
wrap ring support member 50 closed, the right-hand wrap unit
assembly 1 rises to pull corner S1 of the sheet S 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.
[0042] 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 S up and about the bouquet to be wrapped and comes
to rest with the vacuum 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 S by a substantial amount so that the portion of material
between the outer surface of the sheet S adjacent corner S1 and the
inner surface of the sheet S adjacent corner 52 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 52 in a path
so as to first overlap the sheet S adjacent corner S1, but spaced
therefrom, and then make contact between the overlapping portions
of sheet S.
[0043] After completion of the second part of the wrap cycle by
left-hand wrap unit assembly 2, the stem wrapper assembly 3
operates to tightly wrap the corner S3 of the sheet S tightly about
the stem portion of the bouquet.
[0044] After adhesion, coadhesion, heat sealing, sonic sealing,
vibratory sealing, elastic banding, nonelastic banding, or the like
to keep the wrapped bouquet secure, the pinch clamps 11 and 40,
vacuum cup 29 and fixed clamp plunger 48 are released, slide
assembly 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, completing the
cycle.
[0045] 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 rocker arm 6 having a "C" shape and 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. Ends 6b and 6c of rocker
arm 6 are cut at an angle so as to not interfere with the sheet S
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 a circular outer periphery 6f and a circular inner
surface 6a, respectively, of the rocker arm 6. 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.
[0046] A right-hand unit angle mount 21 supports the entire
mechanism of right-hand wrap unit assembly 1. Right-hand unit angle
mount 21 mounts the operational parts of right-hand wrap unit
assembly 1 on its vertically oriented portion, and the horizontal
portion of right-hand unit angle mount 21 is securely affixed to
the end of a slide member 27, so that right-hand wrap unit assembly
1 can be moved to the right (in FIG. 1) after completion of the
wrap cycle.
[0047] Fixed to the right-hand unit angle mount 21 is a pivot pin
18a about which a rocker cylinder pivot standoff 18 is positioned
to locate a rocker cylinder 55 spaced from other components of
right-hand wrap unit assembly 1 and permit rocker cylinder 55 to
pivot about the pivot 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 a pivot pin 17a and
spaced from rocker arm 6 by a rocker arm standoff 17. Pivot pin 17a
is fixed to a far right-hand end of rocker arm 6 as shown in FIG.
2. Operation of rocker cylinder 55 causes the piston shaft 55a to
either pull or push against pivot pin 17a and effect 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.
[0048] 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 is depicted in the drawings
as pneumatic cylinders.
[0049] Before operation of the rocker cylinder 55 to raise the
right-hand wrap unit assembly 1, the corner S1 of sheet S is
clamped by the 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 a right-hand cushion
cylinder head 9 (see FIG. 1) which, in turn, is fixed to the end of
a piston shaft 56a and cushion cylinder slide rods 16. The end of
pinch clamp 11 is flattened to form an upper jaw 11c. A free end of
right-hand 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
right-hand clamp arm 10 permits the vertically oriented thinned
portion of pinch clamp 11 to move within slot 10a (FIG. 1B). The
pinch clamp 11 is pivoted about a pin 11a fixed to the right-hand
clamp arm 10 and has a slot 11b angled with respect to a
cooperating slot 10b in right-hand 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 the U-shaped clamp actuator 12 is
reciprocated by action of a clamp cylinder 62. As tab 12b is
reciprocated, the U-shaped clamp actuator 12 reciprocates and
causes the lower and upper jaws 10c and 11c, respectively, to open
and close, depending upon whether the movement of the U-shaped
clamp actuator 12 is to the right or left in FIG. 1A. In the open
position of the pinch clamp 11, the sheet S can be moved into its
predetermined position for clamping, and at the beginning of the
wrap cycle, the clamp cylinder 62 operates to close the lower and
upper jaws 10c and 11c to clamp the corner S1 of the sheet S
therebetween.
[0050] With the material clamped by pinch clamp 11, the rocker
cylinder 55 is operated to retract piston shaft 55a into rocker
cylinder 55. This pulls pin 17a to the left in FIG. 2 and moves
rocker arm 6 in a circular path as previously described.
[0051] 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 swing block
7, all of such components being fixed to rocker arm 6 by the pivot
pin 8a (which may be a screw). 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 a 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 the rocker cylinder 55 retracts piston shaft 55a,
pivot pin 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 a right-hand cushion cylinder 56 and, in
turn, right-hand clamp arm 10 with the corner S1 of the sheet S
clamped thereto.
[0052] At the beginning of the operation of right-hand wrap unit
assembly 1, the right-hand swing cylinder 57 is not activated and
has piston shaft 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 the rocker cylinder 55
retracts piston shaft 55a, swing block 7, which supports right-hand
cushion cylinder 56, moves upwardly as rocker arm 6 follows its
circular path.
[0053] At a prescribed position of the rocker arm 6, the right-hand
swing cylinder 57 begins to force piston shaft 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 the pivot pin 8a. In this manner, the
corner S1 of the sheet S is first brought upwardly and then the
sheet S begins to wrap about the bouquet with the interior portion
of the S sheet forming around wrap ring support member 50.
[0054] This contact of the sheet S with the wrap ring support
member 50, in effect, limits the upward movement of the sheet S so
that the diameter of the swing of right-hand 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 right-hand cushion cylinder 56 and right-hand
swing cylinder 57, the former causing the radius of the swing
movement to directly decrease as a result of the retraction of
piston shaft 56a into the right-hand cushion cylinder 56 and
telescopic retraction of cushion cylinder slide rods 16 within
cushion cylinder fixed rods 15 which provide strength and stability
to the operation of the right-hand cushion cylinder 56. Operation
of the right-hand swing 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.
[0055] Toward the end of the first part of the wrap cycle, or after
completion thereof, as desired, the left-hand wrap unit assembly 2
begins to function (see FIG. 3).
[0056] 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. Cylinders 58, 59, and 60 are in retracted
positions, and the vacuum cup 29 is located substantially level
with the top surface 54a of machine top 53.
[0057] The left-hand wrap unit assembly 2 is comprised primarily of
a pair of C-shaped swing arms, including a main swing arm 30 and a
secondary swing arm which has a secondary swing arm stub portion 31
extending to a cushion arm 32 having the vacuum cup 29 attached to
a 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 the secondary swing arm stub
portion 31 and the cushion arm 32 is effected by the operation of
cylinder 60.
[0058] FIG. 3a shows the end of cushion arm 32 having a conical
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 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 S in place even before the actuation of the right-hand wrap
unit assembly 1.
[0059] At the appropriate time in the wrapping sequence, cylinder
58 is actuated to extend a rack 58a attached thereto. Cylinder 58
is mounted by screws 58d to left-hand swing arm elongated slat 53b
which is attached to a bottom surface 54b 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 a shaft 58c. This causes the entire left-hand wrap unit
assembly 2 to begin swinging upwardly about the shaft 58c,
resulting in the vacuum cup 29 carrying corner S2 of the sheet S up
and about the bouquet to be wrapped.
[0060] It will be appreciated that an inner surface of the corner
S2 of the sheet S may have an adhesive or coadhesive which will
adhere to an outer surface of the corner S1 of the sheet S 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 sheet
S would occur. Positioning the main swing arm 30, secondary swing
arm stub portion 31 and cushion arm 32 so as to have the fullest
extent possible keeps the corner S2, and the adjacent portion of
the sheet S, well away from the previously wrapped portion.
[0061] 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 a rack 59a outwardly. As it does,
pinion gear 59d, fixed or keyed to a left end of secondary swing
arm stub portion 31, begins to rotate about a shaft 59c. This
reduces the diameter of the swing arm movement and begins to bring
the corner S2 of the sheet S 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.
[0062] Just before the completion of the wrap cycle, the cylinder
60 extends to move the free end of cushion arm 32 closer to the
wrap ring support member 50 so that conical roller 34 can
positively and firmly roll against the wrap ring support member 50.
Also, the last movement of the free end of cushion arm 32 brings
the sheet S into intimate contact with the previously partially
wrapped bouquet so that the two portions of the overlapping sheet S
can be adhered to one another without dragging the sheet S across
itself at the end of the wrapping procedure.
[0063] FIGS. 4 and 5 will now be described, these figures showing
the wrap ring form assembly 5 in more detail. FIG. 4 is a view
taken along line 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 view of a wrapping cylinder actuator 70
which is best seen in FIG. 4.
[0064] As previously indicated, at the beginning of the first
portion of the wrap cycle, the wrap ring support member 50 opens to
allow a bouquet to be inserted with the bloom end oriented toward
the wrap ring support member 50. The wrap ring support member 50
comprises two halves, wrap ring half 50a and wrap ring half 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 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 two links 71 which have upper ends pivoted to a common
pivot axis at pivot rod 74 and lower ends separately pivotable
about pivot pins 75 at upper ends of a pair of standoffs 72 welded
or otherwise fixed to the respective wrap ring halves 50a and
50b.
[0065] 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
piston shaft 69 is fully extended from wrap ring cylinder 66. When
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 halves 50a and 50b in the fully open
position.
[0066] Below machine top 53 is a ring pin receiver 49 upon which is
mounted a number of electrical microswitches 76a-76d. Each
electrical microswitch 76a-76d is operated by the pushing of an
associated switch button 77a-77d on each electrical microswitch
76a-76d.
[0067] 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 of 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 switch button
77a on electrical microswitch 76a. This sets the electrical circuit
which operates the right-hand and left-hand wrap unit assemblies 1
and 2 so as to establish the required path and timing and to
manipulate the sheet S in an optimum manner to produce a secure and
pleasing wrapped bouquet product. The effects of operating one or
more of electrical microswitches 76a-76d will be explained
later.
[0068] When wrap ring form assembly 5 is removed and another sized
wrap ring form assembly 5 is to be substituted, a lock-down screw
51a is loosened, wrap ring linkage 51 is grasped, and the wrap ring
form assembly 5 is raised, thereby withdrawing wrap ring pin 52
from a sleeve 49a. The replacement wrap ring assembly 5 is then
installed by inserting the wrap ring pin 52 into sleeve 49a and
tightening the lock-down screw 51a. In the embodiment illustrated,
if the replacement wrap ring assembly 5 is for wrapping a 5"
bouquet, the wrap ring pin 52 would be of a length to operate
electrical microswitches 76a and 76b. For a 6" bouquet, electrical
microswitches 76a-76c are operated, and for an 8" bouquet, all
electrical 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.
[0069] As can be appreciated by reference to FIG. 5, the wrap ring
support member 50 is suspended above the machine top 53 to permit a
sheet S to slide between wrap ring linkage 51 and the top surface
54a of the machine top 53. Wrap ring linkage 51 is rigidly held in
the suspended position by means of 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 the wrap ring
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 the wrap ring pin 52. Sleeve 49a is also secured to the
machine top 53.
[0070] FIG. 5 also best shows the operation of the fixed clamp
assembly 4 which comprises a fixed clamp cylinder 61 screwed into a
fixed clamp cylinder mount 47 attached to the bottom surface 54b of
machine top 53. An opening 53a is provided in the machine top 53 so
as to permit the fixed clamp plunger 48 of the fixed clamp assembly
4 to reciprocate within the fixed clamp cylinder 61. Upon extension
of the fixed clamp plunger 48 upwardly (in FIG. 5), the sheet S
will be clamped against the bottom of wrap ring linkage 51 to hold
the sheet S in place during the entire wrapping operation. The
fixed clamp 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.
[0071] FIGS. 6-8 show the operation of the stem wrapper 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 assembly 3 comprises a motor 68 (turning at 154 RPM)
driving a gear assembly 46 and a gear assembly 37 which rotates a
half cylinder shaped stem wrapper 36, and pinch clamp 40 which
extends within the center of the half cylinder shaped stem wrapper
36.
[0072] Before the beginning of the wrap cycle, pinch clamp 40 is
retracted to the left as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6 by the
action of a wrapper clamp slide cylinder 64 pushing a piston 64a
therefrom. Also, a wrapper clamp cylinder 63 has a 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 the wrapper clamp cylinder
63 and pinch clamp 40 is very similar to that described in
connection with FIG. 1 where the operation of the clamp cylinder 62
is detailed. Accordingly, no additional operating functions are
necessary to be explained at this juncture except to indicate that
the wrapper clamp cylinder 63 is mounted to a wrapper clamp
cylinder mount 41 which reciprocates axially of the half cylinder
shaped stem wrapper 36 by the action of wrapper clamp slide
cylinder 64. Accordingly, the wrapper clamp slide cylinder 64
operates to move the entire pinch clamp 40 toward and away from the
edge of the sheet S, while the wrapper clamp cylinder 63 operates
to close and open the jaws of pinch clamp 40.
[0073] Thus, before the wrap cycle begins, the wrapper clamp slide
cylinder 64 has its piston shaft 64a extended to move the wrapper
clamp cylinder mount 41 to the left (in FIG. 7), and the wrapper
clamp 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 S is placed on machine top 53 and the
corner S3 is slipped over the edges of the half cylinder shaped
stem wrapper 36, the wrapper clamp slide cylinder 64 is actuated to
move a wrapper clamp arm 42 and the 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 S. Subsequently, the
wrapper clamp 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 S in place.
[0074] FIG. 8 shows an optional stem wrapper safety cover 45 which
is hinged at hinge 45a by any manner of hinging to machine top 53.
In this way, the operation of the stem wrapper assembly 3 can be
completed without exposure of the rotating the half cylinder shaped
stem wrapper 36 which could be a threat to the safety of the
operator.
[0075] After the sheet S is deposited on the top surface 54a 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 stem
wrapper safety 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
half cylinder shaped stem wrapper 36 in the direction of the arrow
shown in FIG. 8.
[0076] In FIG. 8, the position of the half cylinder shaped stem
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 right-hand and left-hand wrap unit assemblies
1 and 2, or just prior to such completion, the half cylinder shaped
stem wrapper 36 beings to rotate counterclockwise as seen in FIG.
8.
[0077] A relatively strong leaf spring 78 is mounted at one of its
ends by a leaf spring mount 79 to the inside surface of the half
cylinder shaped stem 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 the half cylinder shaped stem wrapper 36 diametrically
opposite the leaf 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.
[0078] 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 a 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 S is wrapped around
the bouquet, motor 68 begins to rotate to, in turn, rotate the half
cylinder shaped 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 S to press it tightly against the stem
portion of the bouquet. Since the bouquet itself is being held
stationary, and since the sheet S has been fully wrapped around the
bouquet, the half cylinder shaped stem wrapper 36 adds security to
the wrapped bouquet by pressing the sheet S tightly against the
stem portion of the bouquet.
[0079] If the portion of the sheet S has an adhesive coating on it
at the location of the half cylinder shaped stem 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 the half cylinder shaped stem wrapper 36
rotates about the stem portion of the bouquet.
[0080] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the half
cylinder shaped 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 safety 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 the half cylinder shaped stem wrapper 36 makes, the wrapper
clamp cylinder 63 retracts its piston shaft 63a, and the wrapper
clamp slide cylinder 64 extends its piston shaft 64a to release the
sheet S from moving the jaws of the pinch clamp 40. Before or after
removal of the bouquet from the apparatus, the sheet S 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.
[0081] Prior to removal of the completely wrapped bouquet, the
right-hand and left-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 the pinch clamp 11 and the vacuum cup
29.
[0082] The vacuum cup 29 can be easily released by simply relieving
the negative pressure applied to the vacuum cup 29 and retracting
the left-hand wrap unit assembly 2 in the reverse order of
cylinders 58, 59, and 60, hereinbefore described. However, the
pinch clamp 11 of the right-hand wrap unit assembly 1, even though
released, may still interfere with the sheet S if the sheet S 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 1 with
the sheet S of the wrapped bouquet at the completion of the
wrapping cycle, slide assembly 23 is screw-mounted to the bottom
surface 54b of the machine top 53. The slide assembly 23 is shown
in phantom lines in FIG. 1 as it would be viewed from the top of
the apparatus, from the side in FIG. 9A, and from the bottom as in
FIG. 9B.
[0083] The slide assembly 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 U-shaped outer channel member 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.
[0084] In the instant case, the U-shaped outer channel 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 bolt and
nut combinations 28a.
[0085] At the free end of the U-shaped inner channel 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 U-shaped inner channel member spacer 25. For security, a
second bolt 24b is shown to secure right-hand unit angle mount 21
to the distal end of the U-shaped inner channel member 27b.
[0086] The entire slide assembly 23 is mounted at an angle to the
longitudinal direction of right-hand unit angle mount 21, the angle
being chosen to move the pinch 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 the pinch 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 1 by the action of slide member 27 is substantially
in line with the material lying on the far side of the bouquet.
[0087] Also mounted to the bottom surface 54b of machine top 53,
and taking advantage of the mounting screws already provided for
fixing the U-shaped outer channel member 27a to the bottom surface
54b of machine top 53, is a slide cylinder 65. The slide 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 U-shaped inner channel member 27b. Therefore, as piston 65a
moves out of and into the slide 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.
[0088] 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 electrical
microswitches 76a-76d that will be activated by the wrap ring pin
52 which thereby sets the proper electrical parameters and timing
for the ensuing operations.
[0089] 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 S or
automated with a dispenser which feeds a sheet S from a roll to the
proper working position on the machine top 53. With the sheet S in
place, an operator pushes a start button (not shown). The sheet S
is then clamped at all four corners S1-S4 by extending and closing
pinch clamp 11 at corner S1, by applying negative pressure to the
vacuum cup 29 at corner S2, by movement of pinch clamp 40 toward
the sheet S and then clamping the sheet S at corner S3, and by
actuating the fixed clamp cylinder 61 to cause the fixed clamp
plunger 48 to press corner S4 against the bottom of wrap ring
linkage 51. At substantially the same time, the wrap ring 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 safety cover 45
is opened and a bouquet is placed with the flowers in the wrap ring
support member 50 and the stems in the U-shaped stem holder 44 in
stem wrapper assembly 3.
[0090] The operator then closes the stem wrapper safety cover 45
over the stems and pushes another button (not shown) to start the
wrapping cycle.
[0091] The wrap ring form assembly 5 closes by the extension of the
wrap ring cylinder 66 and the right-hand wrap unit assembly 1
carries the right-hand side of the sheet S 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
sheet S to wrap from left to right, and finally the stem wrapper
assembly 3 tightens the sheet S about the stems of the bouquet. At
the conclusion of the wrap cycle, the corders S1-S4 are released in
the manner previously described, slide assembly 23 slides
right-hand wrap unit assembly 1 away from the wrapped bouquet, the
right- and left-hand wrap unit assemblies 1 and 2 retract to their
initial position, and the operator lifts the stem wrapper safety
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 S sliding by the
outer periphery of the wrap ring support member 50, completing the
cycle.
[0092] Preferably, after clamping the sheet S, the corners S1 and
S2 are held in slight tension by right-hand cushion cylinder 56 and
cylinder 60 to approximately one half to one pound tension.
[0093] The wrap ring support member 50 is specifically designed to
have a truncated conical shape and an average diameter of
approximately 4", 5", 6", or 8". This allows wrapping the cone of
the sheet S 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 and 2. That is, for a larger
diameter bouquet to be wrapped, the extent of the movement of the
racks which swing the right-hand and left-hand wrap unit assemblies
1 and 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.
[0094] 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
pinch clamp 11 and the vacuum cup 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 S. For example, conical 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.
* * * * *