U.S. patent application number 10/736684 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-01 for method of and apparatus for wrapping loadable objects.
Invention is credited to Anai, Okinori, Matsumoto, Ryozo.
Application Number | 20040123562 10/736684 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26589419 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040123562 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsumoto, Ryozo ; et
al. |
July 1, 2004 |
Method of and apparatus for wrapping loadable objects
Abstract
A simple operation winds film around, and thereby wraps
therewith, a loadable object over its entire (six) surfaces. Film
is wound spirally around the loadable object by revolving film
feeders along a circular path about a horizontal axis while
advancing the object through the circular path and along a path of
the horizontal axis in one direction. After the loadable object is
so spirally wrapped, it is rotated in a horizontal or vertical
plane by an angle of 90 degrees. The loadable object is then
advanced in the reverse direction again through the circular path
while the film feeders are revolved as before to cause another film
from the film feeders to be wound spirally around the loadable
object. One film feeder may furnish a continuous strip of film, and
another film feeder may furnish a continuous string of film formed
by compression of such a strip of film.
Inventors: |
Matsumoto, Ryozo;
(Kasuya-gun, JP) ; Anai, Okinori; (Kasuya-gun,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
26589419 |
Appl. No.: |
10/736684 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10736684 |
Dec 17, 2003 |
|
|
|
09824209 |
Apr 3, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/399 ; 53/176;
53/449; 53/588 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 11/006 20130101;
B65B 11/585 20130101; B65B 11/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/399 ;
053/449; 053/176; 053/588 |
International
Class: |
B65B 013/10; B65B
011/58 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 4, 2000 |
JP |
P2000-102073 |
Aug 18, 2000 |
JP |
P2000-248530 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of wrapping a loadable object, comprising the steps of:
revolving film feeder means about a horizontal axis along a
circular path while advancing a loadable object past inside of said
circular along a path extending in a direction of said horizontal
axis from a first side towards a second side to cause film from
said film feeder means to be wound spirally around the loadable
object, thereby wrapping at least a portion or a major part of the
loadable object; thereafter rotating the loadable object in a
horizontal plane by an angle of 90 degrees thereof; and advancing
the loadable object along said horizontal path from the second side
towards the first side while revolving said film feeder means about
said horizontal axis along said circular path to cause film from
said film feeder means to be again wound spirally around said
loadable object, thereby completing wrapping the loadable
object.
2. A method of wrapping a loadable object as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said film feeder means supplies a plurality of film at
least one of which is a continuous strip of film and at least
another of which is a continuous string of film reformed by
compressing from such a continuous strip of film whereby the
loadable object is wound around and thereby wrapped with such at
least one continuous strip and continuous string of film.
3. A method of wrapping a loadable object as set forth in claim 2,
wherein the loadable object is placed on a sleeve pallet means
adapted to accept a fork of a forklift, and film from said feeder
means is wound around both the loadable object and said sleeve
pallet means.
4. A method of wrapping a loadable object as set forth in claim 1,
wherein the loadable object is placed on a sleeve pallet means
adapted to accept a fork of a forklift, and film from said feeder
means is wound around both the loadable object and said sleeve
pallet means.
5. A method of wrapping a loadable object, comprising the steps of:
revolving film feeder means about a horizontal axis along a
circular path while advancing a loadable object past inside of said
circular along a path extending in a direction of said horizontal
axis from a first side towards a second side to cause film from
said film feeder means to be wound spirally around the loadable
object, thereby wrapping at least a portion or a major part of the
loadable object; thereafter rotating the loadable object in a
vertical plane by an angle of 90 degrees thereof; and advancing the
loadable object along said horizontal path from the second side
towards the first side while revolving said film feeder means about
said horizontal axis along said circular path to cause film from
said film feeder means to be wound spirally again around said
loadable object, thereby completing wrapping the loadable
object.
6. A method of wrapping a loadable object as set forth in claim 5,
wherein said film feeder means supplies a plurality of film at
least one of which is a continuous strip of film and at least
another of which is a continuous string of film reformed by
compressing from such a continuous strip of film whereby the
loadable object is wound around and thereby wrapped with such at
least one continuous strip and continuous string of film.
7. A method of wrapping a loadable object as set forth in claim 5,
wherein the loadable object is placed on a sleeve pallet means
adapted to accept a fork of a forklift, and film from said feeder
means is wound around both the loadable object and said sleeve
pallet means.
8. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object, comprising: film
feeder means adapted for revolving about a horizontal axis along a
circular path; bi-directional conveyer means adapted to carry and
advance the loadable object past inside of the circular path in a
direction of said horizontal axis from a first side towards a
second side and from the second side towards the first side,
whereby said film feeder means so revolving in conjunction with the
loadable object so advanced by said conveyer means from the first
side towards the second side causes film from the film feeder means
to be wound spirally around the loadable object, thereby wrapping
at least a portion or a major part of the loadable object; the
apparatus further comprising: carrier table means juxtaposed with
said conveyer means in the second side for receiving the loadable
object having the continuous strip of film wound around it and
rotating the received loadable object in a horizontal plane by an
angle of 90 degrees thereof and then returning the rotated loadable
object onto said conveyer means, whereby said film feeder means
revolving as aforesaid in conjunction with the loadable object from
said carrier table means advanced by said conveyer means as
aforesaid from the second side towards the first side causes film
from said film feeder means to be again wound spirally around the
loadable object from said carrier means, thereby completing
wrapping the loadable object.
9. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object as set forth in
claim 8, wherein said film feeder means includes a plurality of
film feeders, at least one of which includes in a film feed outlet
thereof a squeeze roller means for squeezing a continuous strip of
film so as to narrow its width and thereby to provide a continuous
string of film, whereby said loadable object is wound around
spirally and thereby wrapped with such continuous strip and
continuous string of film.
10. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object, comprising: film
feeder means adapted for revolving about a horizontal axis along a
circular path; bi-directional conveyer means adapted to carry and
advance the loadable object past inside of the circular path in a
direction of said horizontal axis from a first side towards a
second side and from the second side towards the first side,
whereby said film feeder means so revolving in conjunction with the
loadable object so advanced by said conveyer means from the first
side towards the second side causes film from the film feeder means
to be wound spirally around the loadable object, thereby wrapping
at least a portion or a major part of the loadable object; the
apparatus further comprising: carrier table means juxtaposed with
said conveyer means in the second side for receiving the loadable
object having the continuous strip of film wound around it and
rotating the received loadable object in a vertical plane by an
angle of 90 degrees thereof and then returning the rotated loadable
object onto said conveyer means, whereby said film feeder means
revolving as aforesaid in conjunction with the loadable object from
said carrier table means advanced by said conveyer means as
aforesaid from the second side towards the first side causes film
from said film feeder means to be again wound spirally around the
loadable object from said carrier means, thereby completing
wrapping the loadable object.
11. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object as set forth in
claim 10, wherein said film feeder means includes a plurality of
film feeders, at least one of which includes in a film feed outlet
thereof a squeeze roller means for squeezing a continuous strip of
film so as to narrow its width and thereby to provide a continuous
string of film, whereby said loadable object is wound around
spirally and thereby wrapped with such continuous strip and
continuous string of film.
12. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object, comprising: film
feeder means adapted for revolving about a horizontal axis along a
circular path, conveyer means adapted to carry and advance the
loadable object past inside of the circular path in a direction of
said horizontal axis, whereby said film feeder means so revolving
in conjunction with the loadable object so advanced by said
conveyer means causes film from the film feeder means to be wound
spirally around the loadable object, thereby wrapping the loadable
object, wherein said film feeder means comprises a plurality of
film feeders, at least one of which includes in a film feed outlet
thereof a squeeze roller means for squeezing a continuous srip of
film being fed out so as to narrow its width and thereby to provide
a continuous string of film, whereby said loadable object is wound
spirally around and thereby wrapped with such continuous strip and
continuous string of film.
13. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object, comprising: a film
wrapping machine having an inlet for receiving a loadable object
from a loadable object feeder, said inlet having a press nozzle
formed into a shape adapted to surround the loadable object from
the loadable object feeder; film feeder means adapted for revolving
about a horizontal axis along a circular path defined in said film
wrapping machine; and conveyer means adapted to carry and advance
the loadable object past inside of the circular path in a direction
of said horizontal axis, whereby said film feeder means so
revolving in conjunction with the loadable object so advanced by
said conveyer means causes film from the film feeder means to be
wound spirally around the loadable object, thereby wrapping the
loadable object.
14. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object as set forth in
claim 13, wherein said wrapping machine is movable towards and away
from said loadable object feeder.
15. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object comprising: a film
wrapping machine; film feeder means adapted for revolving about a
horizontal axis along a circular path defined in said film wrapping
machine; conveyer means adapted to carry and advance a loadable
object from a loadable object feeder past inside of the circular
path in a direction of said horizontal axis from a first side to a
second side, whereby said film feeder means so revolving in
conjunction with the loadable object so advanced by said conveyer
means from the first side towards the second side causes film from
the film feeder means to be wound spirally around the loadable
object about said horizontal axis, whereon said film feeder means
ceases to be revolved; and a rotary table disposed adjacent to said
second side for advancing the loadable object in a direction of a
vertical axis while rotating the loadable object about the vertical
axis to cause film to be wound spirally about said vertical axis,
wherein said film feeder means comprises a plurality of film
feeders at least one of which is positioned for film to be paid out
therefrom oriented parallel to said horizontal axis and at least
another of which is positioned for film to be paid out therefrom
oriented parallel to said vertical axis.
16. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object as set forth on
claim 15, wherein said film feeder means includes: a film support
shaft for carrying a roll of film; an inlet and an outlet roll
adapted to be driven to guide and pay out film from said roll of
film carried by the film support shaft; and a coupling mechanism
interposed between said inlet and outlet rolls for establishing the
relationship between them that the inlet roll rotates slower than
the outlet roll rotates, said coupling mechanism being coupled to a
shaft for said inlet roll and coupled via a centrifugal clutch to
said outlet roll.
17. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object as set forth in
claim 16, wherein said wrapping machine is movable towards and away
from said loadable object feeder.
18. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object as set forth in
claim 15, wherein said rotary table has a conveyer mounted thereon
and adapted to move in a direction in which the conveyer
conveys.
19. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object as set forth in
claim 18, wherein said wrapping machine is movable towards and away
from said loadable object feeder.
20. An apparatus for wrapping a loadable object as set forth in
claim 15, wherein said wrapping machine is movable towards and away
from said loadable object feeder.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/824,209 filed Apr. 3, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus
for wrapping loadable objects in which a loadable object brought in
as a mass is wrapped by spirally winding film around the object,
both about a horizontal axis and about a vertical axis thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Wrapping methods and apparatus of the type described above
have been known in the art as shown and described in JP 59-46845 B
and JP 8-508223 A.
[0006] JP 59-46845 B, referred to as the first prior art below,
discloses an arrangement in which a loadable object is placed on a
conveyor whose upper and lower surfaces move in an identical
direction at an identical speed. A web made of stretchable material
is wound around both the conveyor and the loadable object being
carried by the conveyor. The loadable object is allowed to move
beyond a downstream end of the conveyor to come off the conveyor
where shrinkage of the web causes the loadable object alone to be
wrapped thereby.
[0007] JP 8-508223 A, referred to as the second prior art below,
describes in one of its intended forms of implementation an
arrangement in which a web is wound around a loadable object, on a
first table, about a horizontal axis and is thereby wrapped. The
object so wrapped is then moved onto a second table, which is
rotated about a vertical axis of the second table to further wrap a
web around the object in a direction perpendicular to the direction
in which the object is wrapped on the first table.
[0008] The second prior art also describes in another form of
implementation contemplated, the use of a wrapping device that is
revolvable about a vertical axis in an arrangement in which a
loadable object is rotatable about a horizontal axis. Thus, a web
may be wrapped around the loadable object about a vertical axis by
revolving the wrapping device about the vertical axis, and about a
horizontal axis by rotating the loadable object about the
horizontal axis.
[0009] The capability by the first prior art of wrapping a web only
about a horizontal axis is inconveniently unsuitable to wrap, and
thereby to package, three-dimensional objects.
[0010] Also, while the second prior art permits a web to be wrapped
around a loadable object about both horizontal and vertical axes
thereof, if its one form of implementation is adopted in which the
object is wrapped in dissimilar directions, it is required that the
object be placed from the first to the second table, that a web
roll be tilted 90 degrees while a web is being wrapped around the
object, and moreover that the second table be rotated. Therefore,
not only is a cumbersome double wrapping operation entailed, but
also an apparatus for practicing this operation becomes
inconveniently complex in terms of mechanisms.
[0011] In the other form of implementation of the second prior art,
a technique that is capable of doubly wrapping web material around
a loadable object resting at the same position, about both vertical
and horizontal axes, a need to include two independent mechanisms
for wrapping web material about the horizontal and vertical axes,
respectively, makes equipment again inconveniently complex and
large-scaled.
[0012] Further as described in the second prior art, the technique
of wrapping film in the form of a continuous strip doubly around a
loadable object about both axes is efficient to thoroughly cover an
entire surface of the object therewith, but such wrappage is weak
in strength and gives rise to a problem in that if the wrappage is
hit by something sharp it may easily rupture to allow its contents
to escape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] With the foregoing state of art taken into account, it is an
object of the present invention to provide a method of wrapping a
loadable object using a conventional wrapping machine for wrapping
film around loadable objects about a horizontal axis, which method
permits film to be easily wrapped around the loadable object both
about its horizontal and about its vertical axes. An additional
object of the present invention is a wrapping apparatus for use in
carrying out the method.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
wrapping technique whereby a continuous strip of film, and a
continuous string of film formed by compressing such a continuous
strip of film, are both spirally wound around a loadable object
about both a horizontal and a vertical axis thereof, which
technique makes wrapping much less rupturable and prevents run-out
of dust or refuse from the loadable object.
[0015] In order to achieve the objects mentioned above, the present
invention provides in one method aspect thereof a method of
wrapping a loadable object, which method comprises: revolving a
film feeder about a horizontal axis along a circular path while
advancing a loadable object through the circular path and along a
path extending in a direction of the horizontal axis from a first
side towards a second side to cause film from the film feeder to be
wound spirally around the loadable object, thereby wrapping at
least a portion or a major part of the loadable object; thereafter
rotating the loadable object in a horizontal plane by an angle of
90 degrees; and advancing the loadable object along the horizontal
path from the second side towards the first side while revolving
the film feeder about the horizontal axis along the circular path
to cause film from the film feeder to be again wound spirally
around the loadable object, thereby completing wrapping the
loadable object.
[0016] The present invention also provides a method of wrapping a
loadable object, which method comprises: revolving a film feeder
about a horizontal axis along a circular path while advancing a
loadable object through the circular path and along a path
extending in a direction of the horizontal axis from a first side
towards a second side to cause film from the film feeder to be
wound spirally around the loadable object, thereby wrapping at
least a portion or a major part of the loadable object; thereafter
rotating the loadable object in a vertical plane by a phase angle
of 90 degrees; and advancing the loadable object along the
horizontal path from the second side towards the first side while
revolving the film feeder about the horizontal axis along the
circular path to cause film from the film feeder to be wound
spirally again around the loadable object, thereby completing
wrapping of the loadable object.
[0017] The present invention also provides a method of wrapping a
loadable object, which method comprises: providing a film feeder
for supplying a plurality of films, at least one of which is a
continuous strip of film and at least another of which is a
continuous string of film formed by compressing such a continuous
strip of film; and revolving the film feeder about a horizontal
axis along a circular path while advancing a loadable object
through the circular path and along a path extending in a direction
of the horizontal axis to cause at least one continuous strip of
film and at least one continuous string of film from the film
feeder to be wound spirally around the loadable object, thereby
wrapping the loadable object with such at least one continuous
strip and at least one continuous string of film.
[0018] In a specific form of an embodiment of the present
invention, the loadable object is placed on a sleeve pallet that is
adapted to accept a fork of a forklift, and film from the feeder is
wound around both the loadable object and the sleeve pallet.
[0019] According to one apparatus aspect for carrying out one
method described above, the present invention provides an apparatus
for wrapping a loadable object, which apparatus comprises: a film
feeder adapted for revolving about a horizontal axis along a
circular path; and a bi-directional conveyor adapted to carry and
advance a loadable object through the circular path in a direction
of the horizontal axis from a first side towards a second side and
from the second side towards the first side, whereby the film
feeder so revolving in conjunction with the loadable object so
advanced by the conveyor from the first side towards the second
side causes film from the film feeder to be wound spirally around
the loadable object, thereby wrapping at least a portion or a major
part of the loadable object. The apparatus further comprises: a
carrier table juxtaposed with the conveyor at the second side for
receiving the loadable object having a continuous strip of film
wound around it, rotating the received loadable object in a
horizontal plane by an angle of 90 degrees, and then returning the
rotated loadable object onto the conveyor, whereby the film feeder
revolving as aforesaid in conjunction with the loadable object from
the carrier table advanced by the conveyor as aforesaid from the
second side towards the first side causes film from the film feeder
to be again wound spirally around the loadable object, thereby
completing wrapping of the loadable object.
[0020] The present invention also provides an apparatus for
wrapping a loadable object, which apparatus comprises: a film
feeder adapted for revolving about a horizontal axis along a
circular path; and a bi-directional conveyor adapted to carry and
advance the loadable object through the circular path in a
direction of the horizontal axis from a first side towards a second
side and from the second side towards the first side, whereby the
film feeder so revolving in conjunction with the loadable object so
advanced by the conveyor from the first side towards the second
side causes film from the film feeder to be wound spirally around
the loadable object, thereby wrapping at least a portion or a major
part of the loadable object. The apparatus further comprises a
carrier table juxtaposed with the conveyor at the second side for
receiving the loadable object having a continuous strip of film
wound around it, rotating the received loadable object in a
vertical plane by an angle of 90 degrees, and then returning the
rotated loadable object onto the conveyor, whereby the film feeder
revolving as aforesaid in conjunction with the loadable object from
the carrier table advanced by the conveyor as aforesaid from the
second side towards the first side causes film from the film feeder
to be again wound spirally around the loadable object, thereby
completing wrapping of the loadable object.
[0021] The present invention also provides an apparatus for
wrapping a loadable object, which apparatus comprises: a film
feeder adapted for revolving about a horizontal axis along a
circular path; and a conveyor adapted to carry and advance the
loadable object through the circular path in a direction of the
horizontal axis, whereby the film feeder so revolving in
conjunction with the loadable object so advanced by the conveyor
causes film from the film feeder to be wound spirally around the
loadable object, thereby wrapping the loadable object. The film
feeder comprises a plurality of film feeders, at least one of which
includes in a film feed outlet thereof a squeeze roller device for
squeezing a continuous strip of film being fed out so as to narrow
its width and thereby to provide a continuous string of film,
whereby the loadable object is wound spirally and thereby wrapped
with such continuous strip and continuous string of film.
[0022] The constructions mentioned above allow a loadable object to
move forth and back through a conventional wrapping machine, and
during such bi-directional movement of the loadable object, film is
wound around the loadable object over its entire orthogonal six
surfaces and doubly on both its upper and lower or front and back
surfaces with strips of intersecting fim.
[0023] Also, forming film from a continuous strip into a continuous
string in at least one film feeder allows a loadable object to be
wound and thereby tightly wrapped with a wider form of film and a
compressed form of film.
[0024] Further, using a sleeve pallet allows a fork of a forklift,
in carrying a film wrapped loadable object together with the sleeve
pallet, to be accepted by the sleeve pallet upon breaking the
film.
[0025] In order to achieve the objects mentioned above, the present
invention provides in another aspect thereof a method of wrapping a
loadable object, which method comprises: supplying a film wrapping
machine with a loadable object by extruding the loadable object
from a loadable object feeder through a press nozzle into an area
defined between a pair of guide plates within a circular path in
the film wrapping machine; and revolving a film feeder about a
horizontal axis along the circular path while advancing the
supplied loadable object through the circular path and along a path
extending in a direction of the horizontal axis to cause film from
the film feeder to be spirally wound around the loadable object
with a portion of the press nozzle and the guide plates
inclusive.
[0026] The present invention also provides a method of wrapping a
loadable object, which method comprises: revolving a film feeder
about a horizontal axis along a circular path while advancing a
loadable object through the circular path and along a path
extending in a direction of the horizontal axis to cause film from
the film feeder to be spirally wound around the loadable object
about the horizontal axis; ceasing the film feeder from being
revolved; and advancing the loadable object in a direction of a
vertical axis while rotating the loadable object about the vertical
axis to cause film to be wound spirally around the loadable object
about the vertical axis. The film feeder comprises a plurality of
film feeders positioned along the circular path, at least one of
which is adapted to supply film in the form of a continuous strip,
and at least another of which is adapted to form such a continuous
strip of film into a continuous string of film and supply the
latter, whereby the loadable object is wound and thereby wrapped
with such at least one continuous strip and continuous string of
film.
[0027] In another apparatus aspect for carrying out a method as
described above, the present invention also provides an apparatus
for wrapping a loadable object, which apparatus comprises: a film
wrapping machine having an inlet for receiving a loadable object
from a loadable object feeder, with the inlet having a press nozzle
formed into a shape adapted to surround the loadable object from
the loadable object feeder; a film feeder adapted for revolving
about a horizontal axis along a circular path defined in the film
wrapping machine; and a conveyor adapted to carry and advance the
loadable object through the circular path in a direction of the
horizontal axis, whereby the film feeder so revolving in
conjunction with the loadable object so advanced by the conveyor
causes film from the film feeder to be wound spirally around the
loadable object, thereby wrapping the loadable object.
[0028] The present invention also provides an apparatus for
wrapping a loadable object, which apparatus comprises: a film
wrapping machine; a film feeder adapted for revolving about a
horizontal axis along a circular path defined in the film wrapping
machine; a conveyor adapted to carry and advance a loadable object
from a loadable object feeder through the circular path in a
direction of the horizontal axis from a first side to a second
side, whereby the film feeder so revolving in conjunction with the
loadable object so advanced by the conveyor from the first side
towards the second side causes film from the film feeder to be
wound spirally around the loadable object about the horizontal
axis, whereon the film feeder ceases to be revolved; and a rotary
table disposed adjacent to the second side for advancing the
loadable object in a direction of a vertical axis while rotating
the loadable object about the vertical axis to cause film to be
wound spirally around the loadable object about the vertical axis.
The film feeder comprises a plurality of film feeders, at least one
of which is positioned for film to be paid out therefrom oriented
parallel to the horizontal axis, and at least another of which is
positioned for film to be paid out therefrom oriented parallel to
the vertical axis.
[0029] According to a specific arrangement of the present
invention, the film feeder includes: a film support shaft for
carrying a roll of film; an inlet and an outlet roll adapted to be
driven to guide and pay out film from the roll of film carried by
the film support shaft; and a coupling mechanism interposed between
the inlet and outlet rolls for establishing a relationship between
these rolls such that the inlet roll rotates slower than the outlet
roll rotates. The coupling mechanism is coupled to a shaft for the
inlet roll and coupled via a centrifugal clutch to a shaft for the
outlet roll.
[0030] According to another specific arrangement of the present
invention, the above-mentioned rotary table has a conveyor mounted
thereon and is adapted to move in a direction in which the conveyor
conveys.
[0031] According to another specific arrangement of the present
invention, the wrapping machine is movable towards and away from
the loadable object feeder.
[0032] In the construction described above, while a loadable object
is advancing horizontally, revolving the film feeders causes film
paid out from one film feeder, so oriented that film is paid out
parallel to the horizontal axis, to be wound in the form of a
continuous strip spirally around the loadable object with a portion
of the press nozzle and the guide plates inclusive, and causes film
paid out from another film feeder, so oriented that film is paid
out parallel to the vertical axis, to be wound in the form of a
continuous string spirally around the loadable object with a
portion of the press nozzle and the guide plates inclusive.
[0033] Also, in a state in which a film feeder ceases to revolve,
if a loadable object on the rotary table is lifted and rotated
about a vertical axis, a resultant change in the axis about which
film is wound around the loadable object relative to vertical
causes film paid out from that film feeder, which is so oriented
that film is paid out parallel to the horizontal axis, to be wound
in the form of a continuous string spirally around the loadable
object, and causes film paid out from that film feeder, which is so
oriented that film is paid out parallel to the vertical axis, to be
wound in the form of a continuous strip spirally around the
loadable object.
[0034] Consequently, moving the loadable object horizontally causes
film to be wound spirally around the loadable object about the
horizontal axis, and lifting and rotating the rotary table causes
film to be wound spirally around the loadable object about the
vertical axis.
[0035] Also, in each film feeder, if a rate of paying out film is
low, slow rotation of the outlet roll leaves the centrifugal clutch
deactuated and thus leaves both rolls rotating at a same peripheral
speed. A rise in the rate of paying out film actuates the
centrifugal clutch to couple the outlet roll and the coupling
mechanism on the latter's side via the centrifugal clutch. This
causes the inlet roll to rotate slower than the outlet roll, and a
difference in peripheral speed between the two rolls causes film to
elongate or stretch where it is running between the rolls.
[0036] Also, the conveyor on the rotary table is made movable
towards an arriving loadable object. Thus, by moving the conveyor
to an upstream side of its direction of conveyance, placement of
the loadable object onto the rotary table is facilitated.
[0037] Further, guiding through a press nozzle a loadable object
supplied from a loadable object feeder into the wrapping machine
prevents the loadable object from falling. Further, moving the
wrapping machine away from the loadable object feeder creates a
space therebetween where maintenance operations can readily be
conducted. This also facilitates cleaning an environment of the
wrapping machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] In the accompanying drawings:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an apparatus that
represents a first form of implementation of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
1;
[0041] FIG. 3 is an elevational view illustrating a portion of the
apparatus as seen from the direction shown by arrows III and III in
FIG. 2;
[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagrammatically illustrating a
conveyor mechanism included in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0043] FIG. 5 is an elevational view illustrating a film feeder
included in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0044] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view illustrating the film feeder as
seen from the direction shown by arrow VI in FIG. 5;
[0045] FIG. 7 is an elevational view illustrating a cutting
assembly included in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0046] FIG. 8 is a side view of the cutting assembly shown in FIG.
7;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a chucking unit included in the
apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0048] FIG. 10 is a function explanatory view shown for aid in
understanding the cutting assembly of the apparatus shown in FIGS.
1 and 2;
[0049] FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating an apparatus that
represents a second form of implementation of the present
invention;
[0050] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
11;
[0051] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an object wrapped
with a strip of film;
[0052] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an object wrapped
with a strip of film;
[0053] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
a strip of film paid out from a film supplying machine is formed
into a string of film for winding around a loadable object;
[0054] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
an object together with a sleeve pallet is being wrapped;
[0055] FIG. 17 is a top plan view illustrating an apparatus
according to a third form of implementation of the present
invention;
[0056] FIG. 18 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 17;
[0057] FIG. 19 is a front view illustrating a ring-rotated wrapping
machine shown in FIG. 18 in which its front side is omitted from
illustration;
[0058] FIG. 20 is a top plan view illustrating a film feeder for
use in a third form of implementation of the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating the film feeder shown in
FIG. 20;
[0060] FIG. 22 is a front view illustrating the film feeder shown
in FIGS. 20 and 21;
[0061] FIG. 23 is a side view illustrating a chucking assembly for
use in the third form of implementation of the present
invention;
[0062] FIG. 24 is a front view illustrating the chucking assembly
shown in FIG. 23;
[0063] FIG. 25 is a side view illustrating a cutter assembly for
use in the third form of implementation of the present
invention;
[0064] FIG. 26 is a front view illustrating the cutter assembly
shown in FIG. 25;
[0065] FIG. 27 is a top plan view illustrating the cutter assembly
shown in FIGS. 25 and 26;
[0066] FIG. 28 is an explanatory view to aid in understanding the
operation of the cutter assembly shown in FIGS. 25 to 27; and
[0067] FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a film wrapped
loadable object.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 6, mention is made of an
apparatus according to a first form of the present invention
illustrated in the form of a ring-type wrapping machine designated
by general reference character 1. Included in the ring-type
wrapping machine 1 are in general: a rotary ring 3 supported from a
frame 2 rotatably about its horizontally extending axis; a rotation
drive motor 4 for rotationally driving the rotary ring 3; a pair of
film feeders 5a and 5b attached to and carried by the rotary ring 3
and positioned thereon symmetrically with respect to an axis of
rotation for the rotary ring 3; a first conveyor mechanism 6
disposed below the axis of rotation for the rotary ring 3 and
extending in a direction parallel thereto for conveying both a
loadable object A and strips of film; a second conveyor mechanism 8
for feeding a loadable object A onto the first conveyor mechanism
6; and a film cutting assembly 10 for cutting film fed from the
film feeders 5a and 5b onto the loadable object A on the conveyor
mechanism 6. It should be noted here that the two film feeders 5a
and 5b shown may be replaced by one film feeding mechanism 5.
[0069] Such a ring-type wrapping machine 1 as described above
belongs to the prior art. And in the apparatus 1, the rotary ring 3
is adapted for rotation by the drive motor 4 via a belt 11. Also in
the apparatus 1, the conveyor mechanism 6 includes an object
carrying belt 6a for carrying a loadable object A to be moved and a
pair of belts 6b and 6b disposed at opposite ends of the object
carrying belt 6a for carrying film 9 running below the object
carrying belt 6a and moving the film in the same direction in which
the loadable object A is moved. The film carrying belts 6b and 6b
have their upper sides lower than an upper side of the object
carrying belt 6a, and their lower sides lower than a lower side of
the object carrying belt 6a so that the film 9 running below the
object carrying belt 6a comes into contact with the film carrying
belts 6b and 6b that lie below the lower side of the object
carrying belt 6a.
[0070] The object carrying belt 6a and the film carrying belts 6b,
6b are designed to be driven at an identical speed by a drive motor
(not shown) therefor but are arranged to be driven in mutually
opposite directions. This establishes a state in which the upper
side of the object carrying belt 6a always moves in the same
direction and at the same speed as the lower sides of the film
carrying belts 6b and 6b move. Two motors used to drive the belt 6a
and the belts 6b, 6b are designed to be rotatable in both rotary
directions.
[0071] The conveyor mechanism 6 is supported at its forward end by
a support roller 6c as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and best seen from
FIG. 4.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 5, the film feeders 5a, 5b comprise a film
support shaft 12 for supporting a roll of film 9, and a pair of
draw rollers 13a and 13b, and are so arranged that film 9 is paid
out from the roll supported by the support shaft 12 and is fed out
via the two draw rollers 13a and 13b. In this case, the two draw
rollers 13a and 13b are allowed to rotate by the film 9 being
pulled out and are designed so that a difference in rotation is
then brought about between them to produce an intense stretching
force acting on the film 9. To this end, the two draw rollers 13a
and 13b have pulleys varying in diameter attached thereto and
coupled together via a belt 15 as shown to be rotatable in a same
direction.
[0073] At least one of the film feeders 5a and 5b is provided with
a pair of squeeze rollers 16a and 16b as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
which is shown positioned adjacent to the draw roller 13b at a film
outlet side of the film feeders 5a, 5b. The squeeze rollers 16a and
16b are juxtaposed with each other across a width of the film 8
positioned between these rollers, with a spacing between the
rollers being adjustable.
[0074] A film cutting assembly 10 as seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, 7 and
8 includes a cutter arm 17 that is capable of rotation to move from
below the conveyor mechanism 6 to an outside of the rotary ring 3,
and a cutter head 17a attached at a tip of the cutter arm 17 for
cutting the film 9. Associated with the film cutting assembly 10
are a chucking assembly 18 for chucking the film 9 once cut, and a
bar 19 for guiding the film 9 for cutting. The chucking assembly 18
as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has a pair of chucking edges 18a and 18b
that are rotatable to be brought together to grasp, and thus to
chuck, cut film therebetween. During a film winding and object
wrapping operation, the chucking edges 18a and 18b are left swung
open right and left so as not to interfere with the film 9. During
a film cutting operation, the chucking edges 18a and 18 as shown in
FIG. 9 are caused to project towards the film 9, and then to rotate
inwardly towards each other to chuck the film 9 therewith as shown
in FIGS. 7 and 10. The bar 19 is also caused to project as shown in
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 and is provided to facilitate cutting the film 9
by guiding and holding the film.
[0075] Disposed downstream of the conveyor mechanism 6 in the
ring-type wrapping machine 1 is a carrier rotary table assembly 21,
which is spaced from the conveyor mechanism 6 with a predetermined
spacing 20 in the direction of conveyance as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2. The carrier rotary table assembly 21 comprises a carrier table
22, and a rotary drive 23 for rotating the carrier table 22
horizontally about a vertical axis.
[0076] The carrier table 22 includes a conveyor belt 27 that is
formed from a large number of elongate plates 24 endlessly joined
together with chains, and that is wound on a driving and a driven
roller 25 and 26. Disposed as standing adjacent to an end of a
conveyance path established by the conveyor belt 27 are a plurality
of stopper posts 28. Each of the elongate plates 24 in the conveyor
belt 27 has a large number of rolling rollers 29 whose rotating
axes are oriented at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the
direction of the conveyance path of the conveyor belt 27 so that
when the loadable object A having been conveyed by the conveyor
belt 27 hits the stopper posts 28, a repulsive force then produced
is transmitted to the rolling rollers 29, which develops a force
acting on the object A in a state so as to move the object in a
right-angle direction. The stopper posts 28 have their surfaces
also provided with a large number of rollers, whereby the loadable
object A coming into contact with the stopper posts 28 is allowed
to move in such a right-angle direction without having resistance
from the contacted posts 28. A carrier table 22 so constructed to
operate is publicly known and commercially available and may be
made of a carrier table marketed under the trade name "KANTARO" by
Toho Kikai Kogyo, Kabushiki Kaisha in Japan. A drive motor 30
connected to the driving roller 25 drives the conveyor belt 27.
[0077] The carrier table 22 rests on the horizontal rotary drive 23
and is adapted to rotate by an angle of 90 degrees with respect to
the direction of travel of the conveyor mechanism 6 in the ring
rotated wrapping machine 1.
[0078] Mention is next made of an operation of the first form of
implementation of the present invention whose construction is so
far described.
[0079] First, a loadable object A is conveyed from the conveyor
mechanism 8 onto the conveyor mechanism 6 in the ring rotated
wrapping machine 1. The loadable object A is conveyed to move
towards a downstream of the conveyor mechanism 6. The film cutting
assembly 10 has then been displaced to a location where it causes
no interference with the film 9 turning round. In this state, the
wrapping machine 1 is actuated to wind the film 9 both around the
loadable object A and around the conveyor mechanism 6 (belts 6a and
6b). The film 9 is stretched into the form of a continuous strip,
which as the object A moves is wound spirally around the object
about the horizontally extending axis of the rotary ring 3. And,
those portions of the continuous strip of film 9 that run below the
conveyor belts 6a and 6b move following their movement at the same
speed as the object A moves downstream. Those portions of the
continuous strip of film 9 that lie below the conveyor belts 6a and
6b successively come off these belts as the corresponding portions
of the loadable object A successively come off the conveyor
mechanism 6, as the object moves downstream, when these portions
pass across spacing 20 established between the conveyor mechanism 6
and the carrier rotary table assembly 21. Then, a restoring force
stored in a stretched strip of film 9 is released to allow the
strip of film to be wound densely around the loadable object A
tightly. And, in a state in which the loadable object A has been
fully wound with the strip of film 9 over a total length of
movement of the loadable object A in its direction of movement, the
film cutting assembly 10 is actuated to cut the strip of film 9,
and a cut end of the strip of film is chucked by the chucking
assembly 18. See FIGS. 7 to 10.
[0080] The loadable object A conveyed from the conveyor mechanism 6
is accepted onto the carrier table 22 in the carrier rotary table
assembly 21, and then carried thereon by the conveyor belt 27 as
the object comes into contact with the stopper posts 28.
[0081] However, before the loadable object A comes into contact
with the stopper posts 28, the rotary drive 23 rotates the carrier
table 22 by an angle of 90 degrees in a rotary direction that
permits movement of the loadable object A, immediately later
produced by the rolling rollers 29, to be headed towards the
conveyor mechanism 6 in the ring rotated wrapping machine 1.
[0082] Continuing conveyance by the conveyor belt 27 in the carrier
table assembly 22 causes the rolling rollers 29 to turn movement of
the loadable object A upon hitting the stopper posts 28, and then
causes the loadable object A to move back towards the ring rotated
wrapping machine 1. Now, operating the ring rotated wrapping
machine 1 in the same manner as mentioned previously, except that
the direction of conveyance of the conveyor mechanism 6 is
reversed, causes the loadable object A horizontally turned by 90
degrees coming from the carrier table 22 to travel backwards on the
conveyor mechanism 6, and during this course another continuous
strip of film 9 is wound again spirally around that loadable object
A about the same horizontal axis as mentioned before. As a result
of these operations, the loadable object A in the form of a
rectangular parallelepiped or hexahedron as shown in FIG. 13, has
its side surfaces fully covered with strips of film 9 and its upper
and lower surfaces fully and doubly covered with strips of
intersecting film 9.
[0083] Where wrapping executed concurrently with a reversed run has
been accomplished, the continuous strip of film 9 is cut and the
conveyor mechanism 6 is normally driven to feed the wrapped
loadable object A downstream towards the carrier rotary table
assembly 21 in which the carrier table 22 that has been retuned to
its original position conveys the wrapped loadable object A
received from the conveyor mechanism 6 until it contacts the
stopper posts 28. Then, continuing conveyance by conveyor belt 27
causes the wrapped loadable object A to be swept away sideways.
[0084] Repeating the foregoing operations produces a series of
wrapped loadable objects each in the form of a rectangular
parallelepiped, each having its side surfaces fully covered with
first or second continuous strips of film 9, and its upper and
lower surfaces fully and doubly covered with both the first and
second strips of film 9 in an intersecting manner. As a matter of
course, winding need not be limited to two strips of film, and many
include more than two strips of film.
[0085] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a loadable object wrapping apparatus
according to a second form of implementation of the present
invention, again using as its component a ring rotated wrapping
machine, here designated by general reference character 1'. The
ring rotated wrapping machine 1' shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 may be
considered to be identical to the ring rotated wrapping machine 1
shown in FIGS. 1 to 10. Accordingly, in the following description
components of the ring rotated wrapping machine 1' shown in FIGS.
11 and 12 according to the second form of implementation of the
present invention carry the same reference characters as in FIGS. 1
and 2 distinguished by a prime "'" and repeated explanations
thereof are omitted. It should also be noted that one film feeder
5a' shown may be replaced by two film feeders.
[0086] Downstream of conveyor mechanism 6' in the ring rotated
wrapping machine 1'a rotary table 31 is disposed and juxtaposed
therewith across a spacing 20' in a direction of conveyance of a
loadable object A. The rotary table 31 includes a conveyer belt 32
adapted to travel in the same direction as the conveyer belts 6a'
and 6b' of the conveyor mechanism 6'. And, this rotary table 31 is
designed to be rotatable about an upstream end of the conveyer belt
32 in a vertical plane from its horizontal position until it stands
vertically. The rotary table 31 is so rotatable by a cylinder
actuator.
[0087] The rotary table 31 also has a pair of holders 34a and 34b
designed to hold the loadable object A on the rotary table 31 from
its opposite sides. Each of the holders 34a and 34b comprises a
holder plate 35 in contact with the loadable object A, and a drive
36 for moving the holder plate 35.
[0088] In operation of the apparatus according to the second form
of implementation of the present invention shown in FIGS. 11 and
12, a loadable object A is carried by a conveyor not shown onto the
conveyor mechanism 6'. And, the loadable object A is advanced
downstream by the conveyor mechanism 6'. The ring rotated wrapping
machine 1' is then operated to wind film 9 from the film feeder 5a'
around both the loadable object A and the conveyer belts 6a' and
6b' of the conveyor mechanism 6'. Then, film 9 is stretched into a
continuous strip of film, which is spirally wound around the
loadable object A as the latter is advanced on the conveyer belt
6a'. And, as the film support conveyor belts 6b' and 6b' move,
those portions of the continuous strip of spiraled film that run
below these conveyor belts, and are carried thereby, are moved
therewith at the same speed as the loadable object A moves. And, as
the loadable object A successively comes off the conveyor mechanism
6' and downstream thereof, those portions of the continuous strip
of film 9 also successively come off, with a restoring force stored
in the strip of film, when released, permitting the continuous
strip of film 9 to be densely wound around the loadable object A
tightly. Then, a cutter is actuated to cut an end of the continuous
strip of film 9 wound on the loadable object A over its entire
length to separate the end from film 9 in the film feeder 5a', and
to allow a chucking assembly to chuck the separated end of film
extending from the film feeder 5a'.
[0089] The loadable object A that leaves the conveyor mechanism 6'
is now received by the rotary table 31. When the entire body of the
loadable object A comes to lie on the rotary table 31, the conveyor
belt 32 is at a standstill and the holder 34a and 34b are actuated
to firmly hold the loadable object A on the rotary table 31. Then,
the cylinder actuator 34 is operated to rotate the rotary table 31
in a vertical plane until it stands upright, after which the
loadable object A is released from being held by the holders 34a
and 34b.
[0090] Now, the loadable object A having been rotated by an angle
of 90 degrees thereof in the vertical plane lies on or across a
downstream end of the conveyor mechanism 6' of the ring-rotated
wrapping machine 1'. In this state, the conveyor mechanism 6' of
the ring-rotated wrapping machine 1' is reversely driven. This
causes the loadable object A, reoriented by 90 degrees in the
vertical plane from its previous orientation, to be moved by the
conveyor belt 6a' in a reverse direction. While the loadable object
A is so moving, the ring-rotated wrapping machine 1' is operated to
wind a continuous strip of film 9 from the film feeder 5a' spirally
around the loadable object A. As a result, the loadable object A in
the form of a rectangular parallelepiped or hexahedron as shown in
FIG. 14, has its sides, upper and lower surfaces fully covered with
strips of film 9 and its front and rear surfaces fully and doubly
covered with intersecting strips of film 9.
[0091] Where wrapping executed concurrently with a reversed run has
been accomplished, the continuous strip of film 9 is cut and the
conveyor mechanism 6' is normally driven to feed the wrapped
loadable object A downstream towards the rotary table 31 that has
been retuned to its original horizontal position, which rotary
table receives the wrapped loadable object A from the conveyor
mechanism 6'.
[0092] In both of the two forms of implementation of the present
invention described above, it is possible to form a continuous
strip of film 9 from or in one of film feeders 5a, 5a' into a
continuous string of film, and to cause the loadable object A to be
wound therewith. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15 the one of film feeders
5a, 5a' has a pair of squeeze rollers 16a, 16b, with a narrowed
spacing between them, to feed out film 9 in the form of a
continuous string while the other film feeder 5b is adapted to feed
out film 9 in the form of a continuous wider strip. The loadable
object A is thus wound spirally with both forms of film 9
simultaneously, but has right-angled corner surfaces of both its
sides covered with the continuous wider continuous strip of film 9
as shown in FIG. 15.
[0093] Also in both of the two forms of implementation of the
present invention described above, when a loadable object A is
placed on the conveyor mechanism 6, 6' of the ring-rotated wrapping
machine 1, 1' using a forklift, as shown in FIG. 16, it is
advantageous to use a pair of sleeve pallets 41 and 41, which are
prepared to receive thereon and therebetween the loadable object A
such that there may be a rectangular parallelepiped (hexahedron)
stack of a number of rectangular solid blocks, such as boxes laid
snugly one by and on another as shown. The two sleeve pallets 41
and 41 have their sleeves adequate in size and position to accept
forks of the forklift, when a rectangular solid stack loadable
object A is placed on the sleeve pallets 41 and 41 that are spaced
apart from each other and positioned so their two outer side
surfaces become flush with corresponding side surfaces of the
rectangular solid stack loadable object A. If the loadable object A
is so placed with the sleeve pallets 41 and 41 on the conveyor
mechanism 6, 6', film 9 can be spirally wound and thereby wrapped
around both the loadable object A and the sleeve pallets 41. With
the loadable object A and the sleeve pallets 41 so wrapped together
and replaced onto the rotary table 31, the forks of the forklift
can break through the film 9 and can then be received by the
sleeves of the sleeve pallets 41 for transport of the loadable
object A. Thus, this arrangement facilitates transporting a
loadable object A.
[0094] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such
sleeve pallets need not be two separate sleeve pallets 41 and 41,
but may be substituted by a pallet which has two sleeve bodies
joined together by plates like an ordinary pallet. The sleeve
pallets 41, 41 may be made of, for example, paper board.
[0095] The present invention enables a rectangular parallelepiped
loadable object over its entire six surfaces to be wound and
thereby wrapped with film. Even more important, this can be done
quite simply, just by advancing forth and back the loadable object
through a film feeder device.
[0096] An apparatus for practicing methods according to the present
invention is simple, too. In addition to a conventional
ring-rotated wrapping machine, the apparatus only requires a device
to be provided downstream of the ring-rotated wrapping machine that
rotates orientation of a loadable object by 90 degrees in a
horizontal or vertical plane, and hence is simple in
construction.
[0097] Also, if more than one film feeder is employed to wind film
supplied therefrom around a loadable object, forming a continuous
strip of film from one of the film feeders into a continuous string
of film gives rise to a wrapped loadable object of increased
wrapping strength.
[0098] Further, winding film around both a loadable object and a
sleeve pallet structure facilitates transporting a wrapped loadable
object, and loading and unloading operations using a forklift.
[0099] An explanation is next given with respect to a third form of
implementation of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 17
to 29. In FIG. 17, reference numeral 101 designates a ring-rotated
wrapping machine and reference numeral 102 denotes a frame thereof.
The frame 102 is of a portal or gantry type and is carried by
rollers 103 located beneath left and right hand sides thereof. The
rollers 103 are carried by rails 104a and 104b on a floor so as to
be capable of rolling on these rails to advance the frame forwards
and backwards (in the left and right hand directions as shown in
FIG. 17). The frame 102 is fixed at a given position by a retainer
105.
[0100] Disposed within an interior of the frame 102, and rearwardly
in a direction of forward movement of the frame 102, is a rotary
ring 106 in the form of a ring that is supported by the frame 102
via a rotary bearing 107 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal
axis extending in the forward and backward direction of the frame
102. And, the rotary ring 106 has a pair of film feeders 108a and
108b attached thereto and deviated in angular position by 90
degrees relative to one another. The rotary ring 106 also has a
belt 109 wound around its outer periphery, and is rotated via this
belt by a motor 109a mounted on the frame 102.
[0101] The two film feeders 108a and 108b may be of a same design
and are mounted to the rotary ring 106 so as to be deviated in
orientation relative to one another by 90 degrees. Accordingly, so
mounted, one film feeder 108a has a film roll whose axis extends
parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary ring 106, while the
other film feeder 108b has a film roll whose axis extends
perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the rotary ring 106.
[0102] The film feeders 108a, 108b are constructed as shown in
FIGS. 20 to 22. A U-shaped pedestal 111 has a first and a second
roll 112a and 112b rotatably supported thereby and parallel to one
another. The first and second rolls 112a and 112b have a first and
a second toothed wheel or gear 113a and 113b attached respectively
thereto, which mesh with each other. The first gear 113a is
rotatably mounted to an end shaft of the first roll 112a, and the
second gear 113b is fastened to an end shaft of the second roll
112b. The end shaft of the first roll 112a is coupled to the first
gear 113a via a centrifugal clutch 114. The first and second gears
113a and 113b have such a gear ratio, for example, of 1:2, such
that a rotation of the first gear 113a is transmitted, reduced in
speed, to the second gear 113b.
[0103] The U-shaped pedestal 111 has its open side in which a pair
of guide rolls 115a and 115b are disposed and oriented
perpendicularly to the rolls 112a and 112b. Disposed ahead of the
guide rolls 115a and 115b are a pair of outlet rolls 116a and
116b.
[0104] Juxtaposed with the second roll 112b of the pedestal 111
sideways thereof is a film support shaft 117 that carries a roll of
film 110. Extending parallel to the rolls 112a and 112b, the film
support shaft 117 has one end fastened to a bracket 118 that is in
turn fastened to the pedestal 111, and its other end has a film
pressure foot 119 detachably attached thereto.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 17, one of the first and second film
feeders 108a and 108b so constructed as described above, here the
first film feeder 108a, is attached to the rotary ring 106 by a
first mounting bracket 120a so that its film support shaft 117 lies
parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary ring. And, the
second film feeder 108b likewise is attached to the rotary ring 106
by a second mounting bracket 120b so that its film support 117 lies
perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the rotary ring 106.
[0106] Within an interior of the frame 102 at a rear end side
thereof there is disposed a press nozzle 121 that is shaped to
surround loadable object A. Further, a pair of guide plates 121a
and 121b lie parallel to one another above and below the axis of
rotation of the rotary ring 106, and face forwardly from an end
portion of the press nozzle 121. A feed roll assembly 122 is also
provided in an extension of a leading end of lower guide plate
121b. The feed roll assembly 122 as shown in FIG. 23 comprises a
rotary roll 123 having a motor incorporated therein, a feed belt
124 wound over this rotary roll, and a roll 124a in a side of the
guide plate 121b.
[0107] Disposed above the feed roll assembly 122 is a hold-down
roll assembly 125 that comprises one or two press rolls 126 for
holding down the loadable object A on the feed roll assembly 122.
Each press roll 126 is rotatably supported by a bracket 127 that is
movable up and down by a cylinder drive.
[0108] A loadable object feeder 128 is disposed rearwardly of the
frame 2. For the loadable object feeder 128, use may be made of,
e.g., a refuse compressor, which compresses refuse into a
substantially rectangular parallelepiped compact refuse of a given
size. Such a compact refuse as a loadable object A may be pushed
out by a built-in cylinder drive into the press nozzle 121 included
in the frame 102. The frame 102 and the loadable object feeder 128
are so arranged that when the frame 102 is moved rearwardly and is
locked at a predetermined position, the rear end of the frame 102
is connected to a forward end of the loadable object feeder
128.
[0109] On a front side of the frame 102 and ahead of the feed roll
assembly 122, there are provided a chucking assembly 129 for
chucking film 110 and a cutter assembly 130 for cutting the chucked
film at its downstream side (loadable object's side).
[0110] The chucking assembly 129 is constructed as shown in FIGS.
23 and 24 and includes a pair of chucking edges 131a and 131b,
which are operable by a drive mechanism not shown to be opened
upwardly by being pivotally swung left and right (as shown in FIG.
24), and closed by being brought together. These chucking edges
131a and 131b are carried on a base 132 that is lifted and lowered
by a guide equipped cylinder drive 133. A free roll 134 is
positioned behind the chucking edges 131a and 131b and rotatably
supported by the base 132. The guide equipped cylinder drive 133 is
supported by the frame that supports the feed roll assembly 122.
When the base 132 is lumped and the chucking edges 131a and 131b
are opened to a maximum, the chucking edges 131a and 131b are lower
than a conveyor surface of the conveyor roll assembly 122 so as not
to interfere with the loadable object A being carried thereby.
[0111] The cutter assembly 130 is constructed as shown in FIGS. 25
to 28. A rodless cylinder 135 is horizontally fastened to a lower
part of the front side of the frame 102. A cutter arm 136 that
stands upright has a lower end portion horizontally movable, which
is engaged with the rodless cylinder 135. Further, above the
rodless cylinder 135, a guide rod 137 extends orthogonal to the
guide rails 104a and 104b, and a linear bush 138 attached to the
cutter arm 136 is fitted with the guide rod 137. These elements are
thus arranged so that operating the rodless cylinder 135 causes the
cutter arm 136 to move forth and back horizontally along the
rodless cylinder and the guide rod 137.
[0112] The cutter arm 136 has a guide roll 139 longitudinally
supported thereby to be rotatable. Also, ahead of the guide roll
139, a second guide roll 140 extends parallel thereto. And, between
the guide rolls 139 and 140, a heater wire 142 extending parallel
thereto is disposed so that it may rise above and sink below a line
that links peripheral guide surfaces of the guide rolls 139 and
140. The heater wire 142 is taut between a pair of rotary members,
upper member 143a and lower member 143b, rotatably mounted to the
cutter arm 136 by a cylinder drive 144. The cutter arm 136 has on a
front thereof a brush 145.
[0113] In front of the ring-rotated wrapping machine 101 there lies
a frame 146 along the floor, which is provided at its forward end
with a pair of rollers 103a adapted to roll over the floor. The
frame 146 has a lift equipped rotary table 147.
[0114] The lift equipped rotary table 147 comprises a lifting
assembly provided in the frame 146 but not shown, and a rotary
table 148 loaded on a liftable table 147a for being lifted and
lowered by such a lifting assembly.
[0115] For the lifting assembly not shown, use may be made of a
pantograph type. The rotary table 148 is made rotatable
bi-directionally about a vertical axis by a rotary drive included
in the liftable table 147a but not shown.
[0116] On the rotary table 148 a conveyor 150 is provided. The
conveyor 150 includes a conveyor belt 149 and is movably guided by
guide plates 148a and 148b in a direction in which the conveyor
belt 149 travels. The conveyor belt 149 is driven to travel by a
belt driving mechanism (not shown) included in the conveyor 150,
and the conveyor 150 is driven to move by a movement drive
mechanism (not shown) included in the rotary table 148.
[0117] The liftable table 147a includes a stabilizer 151 designed
to hold down an upper surface of a loadable object A placed on the
conveyor belt 149 of the rotary table 148, and thereby to stabilize
the loadable object A so placed. The stabilizer 151 comprises a
support post 152 that stands upright on a corner of the liftable
table 147a, an extension arm 153 extendible from the support post
152, and a keep plate 154 facing downwardly from a horizontal
extension of the vertical extension arm 153. The extension arm 153
is adapted to be extended by a suitable extending mechanism such as
a cylinder drive included in the support post 152 but not
shown.
[0118] Mention is next made of an operation of the apparatus
constructed as described above. Prior to initiating a wrapping
operation for a loadable object A, chucking is effected, by the
chucking edges 131a and 131b of the chucking assembly 129, of ends
of continuous strips of film 110 and 110 paid out, respectively,
from the first and second film feeders 108a and 108b.
[0119] Also, the lift equipped rotary table assembly 147 is lifted
until an upper surface of the conveyor 150 becomes flush with a
conveyor surface of the conveyor roll assembly 122, and the rotary
table 148 is rotated to orient the conveyor 150 so that it may move
in a predetermined forward and backward direction. Further, the
conveyor 150 is moved rearwardly, namely to a position adjacent to
the conveyor roll assembly 122, and the conveyor belt 149 is made
to travel reawardly.
[0120] In this state, a compact formed as the loadable object A by
compression in the loadable object feeder 128 is pushed out from
the latter by an extruder therein to enter through the press nozzle
121, of the ring-rotated wrapping machine 101, into a region
defined by the upper and lower guide plates 121a and 121b. Then, as
the loadable object A is received first by the press nozzle 121 and
then by the lower guide plate 121b, any dropout from the loadable
object A as accepted by the press nozzle 121 is prevented from
scattering or flying into surrounding areas.
[0121] When the loadable object A is pushed to project into the
interior of the ring-rotated wrapping machine 101 by a
predetermined length thereof, the rotary ring 106 is allowed to
start rotating. Rotating the rotary ring 106 causes film 110 and
film 110 paid out from and pulled out of the first and second film
feeders 108a and 108b, respectively, to be wound spirally, from an
outside of an end portion of the press nozzle 121 and the upper and
lower guide plates 121a and 121b, around the loadable object A
about a horizontal axis at a pitch according to a speed of travel
of the loadable object A.
[0122] Then, as shown in FIG. 29, film 110 paid out from the first
film feeder 108a, in which the film support shaft 117 that carries
a roll of film 110 is oriented parallel to the axis rotation of the
rotary ring 106, is wound in the form of a continuous strip of film
around the loadable object A, while film 110 paid out from film
feeder 108b, in which the film support shaft 117 that carries a
roll of film 110 is oriented at a right angle to the axis rotation
of the rotary ring 106, is wound, compressed in a direction of its
width, in the form of a continuous string of film around the
loadable object A. Thus, a continuous strip of film 110 and
continuous string of film 110 are alternately spirally wound on the
loadable object A.
[0123] With each of the film feeders 108a and 108b, feeding film
110 by pulling causes the first and second rolls 112a and 112b to
be rotationally driven. When a speed of driven rotation of the
first roll 112a is raised to a certain extent following a rise in a
rate of winding or a force of pulling the film 110, the centrifugal
clutch 114 becomes operable to couple the first roll 112a with the
first gear 113a. This causes the second roll 112b to be
rotationally driven by the first roll 112a via the first and second
gears 113a and 113b meshing with each other. Then, with the gear
ratio of the two gears 113a and 113b being 1:2, the second roll
112b is rotated at a speed one half the speed at which the first
roll 112a is rotated. As a result, the film that passes over the
rolls 112a and 112b slides on the second roll 112a and stretches
between the rolls 112a and 112b. In this case, a degree of stretch
or elongation of film 110 is proportional to a rate of paying out
of film 110, and reaches the gear ratio of 1:2 at maximum.
[0124] As described above, in the ring-rotated wrapping machine 101
the loadable object A together with the forward end of the press
nozzle 121 and the upper and lower guide plates 121a and 121b have,
as the loadable object is moved, film 110 wound therearound about a
horizontal axis of the loadable object. Then, film 110 slides on
the press nozzle 121 and the upper and lower guide plates 121a and
121b, and moves with the loadable object A. The loadable object A,
by being between the press nozzle 121 and the upper and lower guide
plates 121a and 121b while it is being wound with film 110,
prevents any dropout thereof from scattering or flying into
surrounding areas.
[0125] The loadable object A, in the ring-rotated wrapping machine
101, prior to leaving the loadable object feeder 128 is passed over
to the conveyor roll assembly 122 and is thereby allowed to move
further ahead. Then, downward movement of the hold-down roll
assembly 125 with the hold-down roll 126 pressing the loadable
object A downwardly against the conveyor roll assembly 122 allows
the loadable object A to continue to move at a given speed without
sliding.
[0126] When the loadable object A begins to be wound with film 110,
the chucking assembly 129 lowers the base 132 and has the two
chucking edges 121a and 121b opened to their maximum extent so as
not to interfere with the loadable object A carried by the conveyer
roller 122.
[0127] In this manner, the loadable object A pushed out through the
press nozzle 121 and between the upper lower guide plates 121a and
121b, having a continuous strip of film 110 and a continuous string
of film 110 alternately wound longitudinally around it inclusive
with the press nozzle 121 and the guide plates 121a and 121b as the
loadable object A moves, is transported to the lift equipped rotary
table 147. Then, when a rear end of the loadable object A reaches,
say, near ends of the guide plates 121a and 121b, the rotary ring
106 ceases to be rotated to stop film 110 from being wound; thus
ending a process of winding film 110 about a horizontal axis.
[0128] When the loadable object A is passed onto the conveyor 150
of the rotary table 148, the conveyor 150 is moved to a center
region of the rotary table 148 and the stabilizer 151 is actuated
to hold down the upper surface of the loadable object A with the
keep plate 154.
[0129] This is followed by lifting the liftable table 147a with the
lifting assembly while rotating the rotary table 148, indicated by
the arrow in FIG. 17. This permits film 110 and 110 to be pulled
out from the film feeders 108a and 108b, and to be wound and
thereby wrapped around the loadable object A about a vertical axis.
Then, since a change occurs in the axis about which the films 110
and 110 are wound around the loadable object A from horizontal to
vertical, the film 110 is fed out in the form of a continuous
string from the film feeder 108a, and the film 110 is fed out in
the form of a continuous strip from the film feeder 108b, with the
films 110 and 110 being wound alternately.
[0130] After a process of laterally winding film 110 has ended, the
rotary table 148 comes to stop, the liftable table 147a lowers, and
the stabilizer 151 ceases to pressure hold the loadable object A.
The conveyor 150 is moved back to resume its position near the
conveyer roll assembly 122 to bring the wrapped loadable object A
in close proximity of the cutting assembly 130. Thereafter, the
cutter arm 136 of the cutting assembly 130 is moved to a center
region of the ring-rotated wrapping machine 101 where the
above-mentioned two films 110 and 110 are brought together by the
guide roll 139. Then, these two films, extending respectively from
the two film feeders 108a and 108b to the loadable object A on the
lift equipped rotary table 147, are chucked when the chucking edges
131a and 131b come close together during rising of the chucking
assembly 129.
[0131] What follows next is cutting (fusing) the films 110 by
projecting the heater wire 142 of the cutting assembly 130. Then,
with the cutter arm 136 moving in the same direction, cut ends of
the films 110 near the loadable object A are adhered to the film
wrapped loadable object A by the brush 145 smoothing down those cut
ends onto surfaces of the loadable object.
[0132] As a result of the foregoing operations, the loadable object
A supplied from the loadable object feeder 128 now has both a
continuous strip and a continuous string of film 110 and 110 wound
around it both lengthwise and crosswise, and is thereby fully
wrapped.
[0133] For performing a maintenance operation for the ring-rotated
wrapping machine 101 and the loadable object feeder 128, the
ring-rotated wrapping machine 101 is moved forward to create a
space between the ring-rotated wrapping machine and the loadable
object feeder in which an operation may be conducted.
[0134] Apart from the forms of implementations of this invention
described in the foregoing, the present invention does not exclude
a possibility of using the first and second film feeders 108a and
108b, and feeding a loadable object A solely in a direction of a
horizontal axis so as to permit a continuous strip and a continuous
string of film 110 and 110 to be alternately wound spirally around
the loadable object A about the horizontal axis, so as to cover its
essential four surfaces alone therewith.
[0135] Further, both a continuous strip and a continuous string of
film may be fed from a single film feeder.
[0136] As set forth in the foregoing, the present invention permits
a loadable object supplied from a loadable object feeder to be
received by a press nozzle and then wound with film in a wrapping
machine, thereby preventing any dropout of the supplied loadable
object from scattering or flying in the wrapping machine. Also, the
capability of winding both a continuous strip of film and a
continuous string of film, compressed from such a strip of film,
spirally around a loadable object makes wrapping much less
rupturable.
[0137] Further, revolving two film feeders about a horizontal axis
allows a continuous strip of film and a continuous string of film
to be paid out from one and the other film feeders, respectively,
for winding a loadable object about a horizontal axis. Further,
passing the loadable object onto a rotary table and rotating the
rotary table about a vertical axis allows another continuous strip
of film and another continuous string of film to be wound around
the loadable object about a vertical axis. Then, lifting the rotary
table permits winding such strip and string of film spirally about
the vertical axis.
[0138] Further, film being fed from a film feeder is stretched
while it passes between a pair of rolls associated with the film
feeder. The degree of such stretching or elongation can be
increased proportionally to a film winding rate or pulling
force.
[0139] There is also provided an arrangement that facilitates
placement of a loadable object from its film wrapping position onto
the rotary table. Another arrangement facilitates supplying a
loadable object from a separate feeder while preventing any dropout
of the supplied loadable object from scattering or flying into
surrounding areas.
[0140] Yet further, structure that makes the ring-rotated wrapping
machine movable relative to the loadable object feeder facilitates
maintenance of both of these mechanisms, and makes it easy to clean
corresponding areas of the apparatus.
[0141] Although the present invention has been described in terms
of the presently preferred implementations as applied to a method
of and an apparatus for wrapping a loadable object, it is to be
understood that such disclosure is purely illustrative and is not
to be interpreted as limiting. Consequently, without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention, various alterations,
modifications, and/or alternative applications of the invention
will, no doubt, be suggested to those skilled in the art after
having read the preceding disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended
that the following claims be interpreted as encompassing all
alterations, modifications, or alternative applications as fall
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *