U.S. patent application number 11/723221 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for film wrapping machine utilizing two film carriage assemblies to effectively perform film change operations.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Faruk Turfan, Marco Zitella.
Application Number | 20080229714 11/723221 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39497683 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080229714 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zitella; Marco ; et
al. |
September 25, 2008 |
Film wrapping machine utilizing two film carriage assemblies to
effectively perform film change operations
Abstract
A film wrapping machine comprises a pair of diametrically
opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies which
are used to individually and sequentially dispense their wrapping
films. Accordingly, if depletion or breakage occurs within the
wrapping film being dispensed by a first one of the pair of film
roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies, the second film
roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly can effectively be
activated so as to dispense its wrapping film whereby the film
wrapping operation can continue with a minimum amount of stoppage
or downtime. The switch-over or change-over between the first and
second film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies can be
achieved in accordance with automatic and semi-automatic modes of
operation.
Inventors: |
Zitella; Marco; (Montreal,
CA) ; Turfan; Faruk; (Brossard, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Steven W. Weinrieb;LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN W. WEINRIEB
8717 Cold Spring Road
Potomac
MD
20854
US
|
Assignee: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
|
Family ID: |
39497683 |
Appl. No.: |
11/723221 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/449 ;
53/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 11/025 20130101;
B65B 2210/18 20130101; B65B 57/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/449 ;
53/203 |
International
Class: |
B65B 11/58 20060101
B65B011/58 |
Claims
1. A film wrapping machine for wrapping articles within wrapping
film, comprising: an upstanding framework; a wrapping station,
defined within said upstanding framework, at which an article to be
wrapped is adapted to be disposed during an article wrapping
operation; a vertically movable frame member mounted upon said
upstanding framework; first motor drive means for moving said
vertically movable frame member in a vertically reciprocal manner;
a rotary ring member mounted upon said vertically movable frame
member; second motor drive means for causing said rotary ring
member to undergo rotary movement around said wrapping station at
which the article to be wrapped is disposed; and multiple film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assembly means mounted upon said
rotary ring member for individually and sequentially dispensing
wrapping film, during a film wrapping operation, for wrapping the
article, to be wrapped and disposed at said wrapping station,
within wrapping film such that if the wrapping film, disposed upon
a first one of said multiple film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assemblies, experiences a condition comprising one of
depletion and breakage, a second one of said multiple film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies can dispense its
wrapping film such that said film wrapping operation can be
continued.
2. The film wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said
multiple film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly means
comprises a pair of film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assemblies.
3. The film wrapping machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said
pair of film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies are
mounted upon said rotary ring member at diametrically opposed
positions.
4. The film wrapping machine as set forth in claim 3, further
comprising: a pair of film clamping mechanisms respectively
operatively associated with said pair of film roll mounting and
dispensing assemblies for holding leading end portions of the
wrapping films in order to commence film wrapping operations.
5. The film wrapping machine as set forth in claim 4, further
comprising: a pair of beam members upon which said pair of film
clamping mechanisms are respectively mounted; and means for movably
mounting said pair of beam members upon said vertically movable
frame member so as to move said pair of beam members, and said pair
of film clamping mechanisms mounted thereon, toward and away from
said pair of film roll mounting and dispensing assemblies.
6. The film wrapping machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said
means for movably mounting said pair of beam members comprises a
pair of piston-cylinder assemblies.
7. The film wrapping machine as set forth in claim 6, further
comprising: a pair of auxiliary film clamping means respectively
mounted upon said pair of beam members for removing film tail
portions of the wrapping films from said pair of film roll mounting
and dispensing assemblies in order to prepare for the commencement
of film wrapping operations utilizing new rolls of wrapping
film.
8. The film wrapping machine as set forth in claim 7, further
comprising: control means for cyclically controlling the drives and
movements of said first motor drive means, said second motor drive
means, said pair of film clamping mechanisms, said piston-cylinder
assemblies, and said auxiliary film clamping means during said film
wrapping operation.
9. The film wrapping machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said
control means comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC).
10. A method of wrapping articles within wrapping film, comprising
the steps of: providing an upstanding framework; defining a
wrapping station within said upstanding framework at which an
article to be wrapped is adapted to be disposed during an article
wrapping operation; mounting a vertically movable frame member upon
said upstanding framework; mounting a rotary ring member upon said
vertically movable frame member; mounting multiple film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies upon said rotary ring
member; vertically moving said vertically movable frame member from
a START position while rotating said rotary ring member such that a
first one of said multiple film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assemblies, mounted upon said rotary ring member, can
dispense wrapping film so as to wrap the article, to be wrapped and
disposed at said wrapping station, within wrapping film in
accordance with a film wrapping operation; terminating dispensing
of the wrapping film from said first one of said multiple film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies, mounted upon said
rotary ring member, should the wrapping film, disposed upon said
first one of said multiple film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assemblies, experience a condition comprising one of
depletion and breakage during said film wrapping operation; and
activating a second one of said multiple film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assemblies such that said second one of said
multiple film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies can
dispense its wrapping film whereby said film wrapping operation can
be continued.
11. The method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the
step of: returning said vertically movable frame member to said
START position before activating said second one of said multiple
film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies such that the
wrapping film, to be dispensed from said second one of said
multiple film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies,
will be dispensed from said second one of said multiple film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies so as to be wrapped
directly over the incompletely wrapped wrapping film, disposed upon
the article to be wrapped and disposed at said wrapping station,
which was previously dispensed from said one of said multiple film
roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies.
12. The method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the
steps of: terminating vertical movement of said vertically movable
frame member at the elevational position at which the wrapping
film, disposed upon said first one of said multiple film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies, experienced the
condition comprising one of depletion and breakage during said film
wrapping operation; sealing a trailing end portion of the wrapping
film, which has undergone one of the depletion and breakage
conditions, onto the portion of the wrapping film which has been
wrapped onto the article; and activating said second one of said
multiple film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies such
that the wrapping film, to be dispensed from said second one of
said multiple film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assemblies, will be dispensed from said second one of said multiple
film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies so as to
effectively continue said film wrapping operation upon the article
being wrapped at the location at which the wrapping film, disposed
upon said first one of said multiple film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assemblies, experienced the condition
comprising one of depletion and breakage during said film wrapping
operation.
13. The method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the
step of: using a pair of film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assemblies as said multiple film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assemblies.
14. The method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising the
step of: mounting said pair of film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assemblies at diametrically opposed positions upon said
rotary ring member.
15. The method as set forth in claim 14, further comprising the
step of: respectively providing a pair of film clamping mechanisms
to be operatively associated with said pair of film roll mounting
and dispensing assemblies for holding leading end portions of the
wrapping films in order to commence film wrapping operations.
16. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the
steps of: respectively mounting said pair of film clamping
mechanisms upon a pair of beam members; and movably mounting said
pair of beam members upon said vertically movable frame member such
that said pair of beam members, and said pair of film clamping
mechanisms mounted thereon, are movable toward and away from said
pair of film roll mounting and dispensing assemblies.
17. The method as set forth in claim 16, further comprising the
step of: utilizing piston-cylinder assemblies, mounted upon said
vertically movable frame member, for reciprocally moving said pair
of beam members, and said pair of film clamping mechanisms mounted
thereon, toward and away from said pair of film roll mounting and
dispensing assemblies.
18. The method as set forth in claim 17, further comprising the
step of: respectively mounting a pair of auxiliary film clamping
mechanisms upon said pair of beam members for removing film tail
portions of the wrapping films from said pair of film roll mounting
and dispensing assemblies in order to prepare for the commencement
of film wrapping operations utilizing new rolls of wrapping
film.
19. The method as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the
step of: cyclically controlling the movements of said vertically
movable frame member, said rotary ring member, said pair of film
clamping mechanisms, said piston-cylinder assemblies, and said
auxiliary film clamping means during said film wrapping
operation.
20. The method as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the
step of: utilizing a programmable logic controller (PLC) to
cyclically control the movements of said vertically movable frame
member, said rotary ring member, said pair of film clamping
mechanisms, said piston-cylinder assemblies, and said auxiliary
film clamping means during said film wrapping operation.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to film wrapping or
packaging machines for wrapping film around articles, packages, or
palletized loads, and more particularly to a new and improved film
wrapping or packaging machine that has a pair of diametrically
opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies
disposed upon the rotary ring member of the film wrapping machine,
which rotates around an article, package, or palletized load
disposed at a wrapping or packaging station and which is being
wrapped within the film wrapping or packaging material, wherein a
first one of the diametrically opposed film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assemblies will dispense the wrapping or
packaging film to be wrapped around the article, package, or
palletized load disposed at the wrapping station, however, should
the roll of film, disposed upon the first one of the film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies, experience depletion
in its film supply, or a breakage in its wrapping or packaging
film, the second one of the film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assemblies will effectively be activated so as to dispense
its film therefrom in order to complete the article, package, or
palletized load wrapping or packaging operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Film wrapping or packaging machines or apparatus, for
wrapping articles, packages, or palletized loads within wrapping
film, are of course well known in the art. Examples of such film
wrapping machines or apparatus are disclosed within U.S. Pat. No.
6,195,961 which issued to Turfan on Mar. 6, 2001, U.S. Pat. No.
5,787,691 which issued to Turfan on Aug. 4, 1998, U.S. Pat. No.
5,517,807 which issued to Morantz on May 21, 1996, and U.S. Pat.
No. 4,587,796 which issued to Haloila on May 13, 1986. As disclosed
within FIG. 1, which substantially corresponds to FIG. 1 of the
aforenoted U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,961 of Turfan, and which is
representative of the conventional film wrapping or packaging
machines, a film wrapping or packaging machine is generally
indicated by the reference character 10 and is seen to comprise a
four-post upstanding framework 12 through which extends a conveyor
14 for conveying articles, packages, or palletized loads, to be
wrapped or packaged, to a wrapping station 16 which is located
substantially at the center of the region or area which is
peripherally defined by means of the four upstanding posts of the
framework 12. An upper frame member 18, which is vertically movable
in a reciprocating manner with respect to the framework 12,
rotatably supports a ring or circular track member 20 upon which is
mounted a plastic film roll mounting and dispensing assembly or
carriage 22 upon which, in turn, is mounted a roll 24 of plastic
wrapping film. Consequently, when the upper frame member 18 is
moved in vertically upward and downward directions, and the ring or
track member 20 is rotated with respect to the vertically movable
upper frame member 18, film from the film roll 24, mounted upon the
film roll mounting and dispensing assembly or carriage 22, can be
withdrawn therefrom and applied onto the articles, packages, or
palletized loads which are to be wrapped within film packaging
material and which are disposed or located at the wrapping station
16.
[0003] It can of course be appreciated that after a plurality of
articles, packages, or palletized loads have been wrapped within
the film packaging or wrapping material disposed upon and withdrawn
from the film roll 24, the film roll 24 will eventually become
depleted and must therefore be replaced by means of a fresh roll of
wrapping or packaging film. Alternatively, during a film wrapping
operation, the packaging or wrapping film may in fact experience
breakage. In either instance, therefore, the film roll 24, disposed
upon the film roll mounting and dispensing assembly or carriage 22,
must conventionally be replaced with a fresh and intact roll of
wrapping or packaging film. While such an exchange or replacement
procedure may of course be performed manually, such a procedure is
tedious and time-consuming. More particularly, the wrapping
operation must be temporarily halted or terminated, the upper frame
member 18, upon which the ring or track member 20 and the film roll
mounting and dispensing assembly or carriage 22 are mounted, must
be vertically moved to an elevation at which the operator personnel
can access the film roll 24 disposed upon the film roll mounting
and dispensing assembly or carriage 22, the depleted roll of
packaging or wrapping film, or the roll of packaging or wrapping
film that experienced the break in the film, must then be removed
from the film roll mounting and dispensing assembly or carriage 22,
and a new or fresh roll of wrapping or packaging film 24 must be
mounted upon the film roll mounting and dispensing assembly or
carriage 22.
[0004] A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved
film wrapping or packaging machine which can automatically, or
substantially automatically, accommodate the depletion or breakage
of the film disposed upon the roll of wrapping or packaging film,
by effectively continuing the article, package, or palletized load
wrapping or packaging operation. In this manner, the article,
package, or palletized load wrapping or packaging operation can
effectively be completed with a minimum amount of operational
downtime.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in
accordance with the teachings and principles of the present
invention through the provision of a new and improved film wrapping
or packaging machine which has a pair of diametrically opposed film
roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies disposed upon the
rotary ring member of the film wrapping machine that rotates around
the article, package, or palletized load which is disposed at the
wrapping or packaging station and which is being wrapped within the
film wrapping or packaging material, although only one of the
diametrically opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assemblies initially dispenses its wrapping or packaging film to be
wrapped around the article, package, or palletized load disposed at
the wrapping or packaging station. However, if film depletion or a
breakage in the wrapping or packaging film occurs in connection
with the film disposed upon the one of the film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assemblies initially dispensing the wrapping or
packaging film, the other one of the film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assemblies will effectively be activated so as
to continue the article, package, or palletized load wrapping or
packaging operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Various other features and attendant advantages of the
present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate
like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional, PRIOR ART
film wrapping machine;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a new and improved film
wrapping machine as constructed in accordance with the principles
and teachings of the present invention and showing the component
parts thereof;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the new and improved
film wrapping machine, as disclosed within FIG. 2, showing the pair
of diametrically opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assemblies mounted upon the rotary ring member, and the pair of
film clamp assemblies mounted upon oppositely disposed,
longitudinally extending beam members which are movable in
transverse directions toward and away from each other so as to move
the pair of film clamp assemblies between their START and FINISH
positions during a film wrapping or packaging cycle operation;
[0010] FIG. 3a is a partial, enlarged view of FIG. 3 showing the
left wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assembly, the details of the left wrapping or packaging
film clamping assembly, and an auxiliary film clamp mechanism which
is adapted to transfer the leading end portion of the wrapping or
packaging film between the film tail holder of the wrapping or
packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly and
the wrapping or packaging film clamping assembly;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the new and improved film
wrapping machine, as disclosed within FIGS. 2 and 3, showing the
motor drive system for the vertically movable frame member upon
which the rotary ring member, and the pair of diametrically opposed
film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies, are
mounted;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vertically movable frame
member, and the rotary ring member and the pair of diametrically
opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies
mounted thereon;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the rotary ring member as
mounted upon the vertically reciprocable frame member by means of
the various mounting bracket and wheel assemblies for not only
supporting the rotary ring member as mounted upon the vertically
reciprocable frame member, but in addition, for rotatably guiding
the rotary movement of the rotary ring member with respect to the
vertically reciprocable frame member;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a partial, enlarged, perspective view of the
undersurface portion of the vertically reciprocable frame member,
as illustrated within FIG. 6, showing the drive motor, the idler
rollers, and the drive belt utilized for driving the rotary ring
member with respect to the vertically reciprocable frame member;
and
[0015] FIG. 8 is a partial, enlarged perspective view, similar to
that of FIG. 7, showing, however, the various motor drive
components from a different perspective point of view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 2-5 thereof, a new and improved film wrapping or packaging
machine, constructed in accordance with the principles and
teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally
indicated by the reference character 110. More particularly, the
new and improved film wrapping or packaging machine 110 is
generally or briefly seen to comprise a fixed, upstanding framework
112 through which extends a conveyor mechanism, which is not shown
but which is similar to the conveyor 14 as disclosed within FIG. 1,
for conveying articles, packages, or palletized loads, to be
wrapped or packaged, in a conveying direction CD to a wrapping or
packaging station 116 which is located substantially at the center
of the region or area which is peripherally defined by means of the
upstanding posts of the fixed upstanding framework 112.
[0017] A frame member 118, which is vertically movable in a
reciprocating manner with respect to the fixed upstanding framework
112, rotatably supports a ring or circular track member 120, and in
accordance with a unique and novel feature or structure
characteristic of the present invention, a pair of diametrically
opposed wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assemblies 122,124, upon which rolls of wrapping or
packaging film, not shown, are disposed, are fixedly secured upon
the rotary ring member 120. In this manner, the pair of
diametrically opposed wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assemblies 122,124 will be movable with the
rotary ring member 120 so as to move or rotate around the wrapping
station 116 in order to package or wrap articles, packages, or
palletized loads, disposed at the wrapping station 116, within the
wrapping or packaging film which is being dispensed from the pair
of diametrically opposed wrapping or packaging film roll mounting
and dispensing carriage assemblies 122,124 during the performance
of a wrapping or packaging operation.
[0018] Continuing further, and with reference being specifically
made to FIG. 2, it is seen that the fixed, upstanding framework 112
comprises four vertically oriented upstanding posts
126,128,130,132, and that in order to properly control the conveyor
mechanism, not shown, for conveying the articles, packages, or
palletized loads into and out from the wrapping or packaging
station 116, a first pair of phototransmitters 134,136 are mounted
upon a lower end portion of the upstanding post 128, while a first
pair of photoreflectors 138,140 are mounted upon a lower end
portion of the oppositely disposed upstanding post 132 so as to be
respectively disposed opposite the phototransmitters 134,136. In a
similar manner, three phototransmitters 142,144,146 are mounted
upon a lower end portion of the upstanding post 126, while three
photoreflectors 148,150,152 are mounted upon a lower end portion of
the oppositely disposed upstanding post 130 so as to be
respectively disposed opposite the phototransmitters 142, 144. More
particularly, it is noted that the cooperative pairs of
phototransmitters and photoreflectors 136,140 and 142,148 comprise
safety sensor mechanisms so as to ensure that operator personnel
are not within undesirable perimeter areas of the film wrapping or
packaging machine 110 which are located adjacent to, for example,
the conveyor mechanism, not shown, conveying the articles,
packages, or palletized loads toward the wrapping or packaging
station 116. Alternatively, for example, another article, package,
or palletized load, other than the particular article, package, or
palletized load disposed upon the conveyor and being conveyed
toward the wrapping or packaging station 116, may be disposed
within such perimeter areas of the film wrapping or packaging
machine 110 so as to present a potential hazard to the operation of
the film wrapping or packaging machine 110.
[0019] In either one of these instances, a signal would be sent to
a programmable logic controller PLC, which is schematically
illustrated and which controls all movements of all of the
components of the film wrapping or packaging machine 110, so as to
temporarily terminate operation of the film wrapping or packaging
machine 110 until the aforenoted potentially hazardous situation or
condition is corrected or satisfactorily resolved. Still yet
further, the cooperative pair of phototransmitter and
photoreflector 134,138 comprise a first article, package, or
palletized load sensor mechanism or system whereby the forward,
leading, or downstream end portion of the article, package, or
palletized load, disposed upon the conveyor mechanism, not shown,
will be sensed as the article, package, or palletized load is being
conveyed toward the wrapping or packaging station 116, and wherein
further, the first article, package, or palletized load sensor
mechanism or system, comprising the cooperative pair of
phototransmitter and photoreflector components 134,138, will
therefore transmit a signal to the programmable logic controller
PLC that a film wrapping or packaging operation is about to be
commenced. In a similar manner, the cooperative pair of
phototransmitter and photoreflector 146,152 comprise a second
article, package, or palletized load sensor mechanism or system
whereby the forward, leading, or downstream end portion of the
article, package, or palletized load, disposed upon the conveyor,
not shown, will again be sensed as the article, package, or
palletized load is being conveyed into and within the wrapping or
packaging station 116, and wherein further, the second article,
package, or palletized load sensor mechanism or system comprising
the cooperative pair of phototransmitter and photoreflector
components 146,152 will therefore transmit a signal to the
programmable logic controller PLC to the effect that the activation
of the conveyor mechanism, not shown, should be terminated so as to
effectively locate the article, package, or palletized load at a
substantially central portion within the wrapping or packaging
station 116 in order to properly perform a film wrapping or
packaging operation.
[0020] Lastly, the cooperative pair of phototransmitter and
photoreflector 144,150 comprise, in effect, a third, failsafe
article, package, or palletized load sensor mechanism or system.
Accordingly, if the forward, leading, or down-stream end portion of
the article, package, or palletized load, disposed upon the
conveyor, not shown, is sensed by means of the third article,
package, or palletized load sensor mechanism or system comprising
the cooperative pair of phototransmitter and photoreflector
components 144,150, such as, for example, if the second article,
package, or palletized load sensor mechanism or system comprising
the cooperative pair of phototransmitter and photoreflector
components 146, 152 experiences a failure, or alternatively, if the
article, package, or palletized load, disposed upon the conveyor,
should experience slippage relative to the conveyor when the
movement of the conveyor is terminated, then the third article,
package, or palletized load sensor mechanism or system comprising
the cooperative pair of phototransmitter and photoreflector
components 144,148 will transmit a signal to the programmable logic
controller PLC to the effect that not only should the activation of
the conveyor mechanism, not shown, be terminated, but in addition,
that the entire film wrapping or packaging machine 110 should
effectively be temporarily shut down so as to not to commence a
faulty film wrapping or packaging operation in connection with the
article, package, or palletized load which is not properly located
at the wrapping station 116.
[0021] This is similarly the case with the first article, package,
or palletized load sensor mechanism or system comprising the
cooperative pair of phototransmitter and photoreflector components
134,138. More particularly, the first article, package, or
palletized load sensor mechanism or system comprising the
cooperative pair of phototransmitter and photoreflector components
134,138 also acts or serves as a failsafe mechanism in that when
the particular article, package, or palletized load has been
conveyed toward the wrapping or packaging station 116, the rear,
trailing, or upstream end portion of the article, package, or
palletized load must likewise clear the first article, package, or
palletized load sensor mechanism or system comprising the
cooperative pair of phototransmitter and photoreflector components
134,138 so as to effectively ensure that a properly sized article,
package, or palletized load is in fact located, and properly
positioned, at the wrapping or packaging station 116 so as to in
fact be readied for undergoing a film wrapping or packaging
operation.
[0022] As can also be best appreciated from FIG. 2, each one of the
four vertically upstanding posts 126,128,130,132 comprising the
fixed, upstanding framework 112 is noted as comprising, in effect,
an angle iron structure having a substantially L-shaped
cross-sectional configuration such that inner surface portions of
each one of the substantially L-shaped vertically upstanding posts
126,128,130,132 are effectively disposed at 90.degree., or
perpendicular, with respect to each other. In addition, and in
connection with such inner surface portions of the plurality of
vertically upstanding posts 126,128,130,132 disposed perpendicular
with respect to each other, each one of the external corner regions
154,156, 158,160 of the vertically movable frame member 118, which
has a substantially square shaped configuration, has a pair of
wheels, the axes of which are also correspondingly disposed at
90.degree. or perpendicular with respect to each other, rotatably
mounted upon such external corner region 154,156,158,160 of the
vertically movable frame member 118.
[0023] More particularly, as can best be seen from FIG. 5, a first
pair of wheels 162,164 are rotatably mounted upon suitable mounting
bracket structure fixedly mounted upon the external corner region
154 of the vertically movable frame member 118, while a second pair
of wheels 166,168 are rotatably mounted upon suitable mounting
bracket structure fixedly mounted upon the external corner region
156 of the vertically movable frame member 118. In a similar
manner, a third pair of wheels, only one of which is visible at
170, are rotatably mounted upon suitable mounting bracket structure
fixedly mounted upon the external corner region 158 of the
vertically movable frame member 118, while a fourth pair of wheels,
only one of which is visible at 172, are rotatably mounted upon
suitable mounting bracket structure fixedly mounted upon the
external corner region 160 of the vertically movable frame member
118. In this manner, the vertically movable frame member 118 is in
fact able to be smoothly moved along the interior, vertically
oriented surfaces of the substantially L-shaped, vertically
upstanding posts 126,128,130,132, in vertically upward and downward
directions, in accordance with particular cyclically staged
movements occurring during the performance of a particular article,
package, or palletized load wrapping or packaging operation.
[0024] Continuing further, in order to drive or move the vertically
movable frame member 118 between its uppermost and lowermost
positions during a film wrapping or packaging operation, a first
reversible drive motor 174 is fixedly mounted upon a first upper
end frame member 176 of the fixed, upstanding framework 112 by
means of a suitable mounting plate, mounting bracket, or mounting
block 178 which is fixedly or integrally secured to the first upper
end frame member 176 of the fixed, upstanding framework 112 as can
best be seen in FIG. 4. In addition, it is also seen that the first
reversible drive motor 174 is provided with first and second
oppositely oriented output drive shafts 180,182 upon which there is
respectively disposed first and second output drive sprockets
184,186. First and second output driven sprockets 188,190 are
respectively fixedly mounted upon first end portions of the first
and second driven shafts 192,194, and it is seen that the first and
second driven shafts 192,194 are respectively rotatably mounted
within first and second bearing members 196,198 which are, in turn,
respectively mounted upon first and second bearing blocks or
bearing brackets 200, 202 that are also fixedly mounted upon the
first upper end frame member 176 of the fixed, upstanding framework
112. The first and second output drive sprockets 184,186,
respectively disposed upon the first and second oppositely oriented
output drive shafts 180,182 of the reversible drive motor 174, are
respectively operatively connected to the first and second output
driven sprockets 188,190, respectively disposed upon first end
portions of the first and second driven shafts 192, 194, by means
of first and second endless drive sprocket chains 204,206, and it
is further seen that the oppositely disposed second end portions of
the first and second driven shafts 192,194 are respectively
rotatably mounted within third and fourth bearing members 208,210
which are, in turn, respectively mounted upon third and fourth
bearing blocks or bearing brackets 212,214 which are also fixedly
mounted upon the first upper end frame member 176.
[0025] Still yet further, it is also seen that the distal or free
end portions of the first and second driven shafts 192,194 are
respectively provided with third and fourth output driven sprockets
216,218, while axially inboard regions of the first and second
driven shafts 192,194, disposed upon the opposite side of, and
adjacent to, the third and fourth bearing members 208,210, are
respectively provided with fifth and sixth output driven sprockets
220,222. Upon the opposite side of the overall fixed, upstanding
framework 112, and in particular, upon a second upper end frame
member 224 of the fixed, upstanding framework 112, which is
disposed opposite the first upper end frame member 176 of the
fixed, upstanding framework 112, third and fourth driven shafts
226,228 are adapted to be rotatably mounted. More particularly, it
is seen that the axially outboard end portion of the third driven
shaft 226 is rotatably mounted within a fifth bearing member 230
which is mounted upon a fifth bearing block or bearing bracket 232
that is fixedly mounted upon the second upper end frame member 224,
and in a similar manner, the axially outboard end portion of the
fourth driven shaft 228 is rotatably mounted within a sixth bearing
member 234 which is mounted upon a sixth bearing block or bearing
bracket 236 that is likewise fixedly mounted upon the second upper
end frame member 224. Still further, it is also seen that the
axially inboard end portion of the third driven shaft 226 is
rotatably mounted within a seventh bearing member 238 which is
mounted upon a seventh bearing block or bearing bracket 240 that is
also fixedly mounted upon the second upper end frame member 224,
and in a similar manner, the axially inboard end portion of the
fourth driven shaft 228 is rotatably mounted within an eighth
bearing member 242 which is mounted upon an eighth bearing block or
bearing bracket 244 that is likewise fixedly mounted upon the
second upper end frame member 224, the axially inboard end portions
of the third and fourth driven shafts 226,228 also being
operatively connected together by means of a suitable coupling
member 246.
[0026] Continuing still further, it is additionally seen that
seventh and eighth output driven sprockets 248,250 are respectively
disposed upon the distal end portions of the third and fourth
driven shafts 226,228, and that ninth and tenth output driven
sprockets 252,254 are respectively disposed upon the axially
inboard sides of the third and fourth driven shafts 226,228 at
positions adjacent to the fifth and sixth bearing members 230,234.
As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, and taken in conjunction with
FIG. 4, a first vertically oriented endless driven sprocket chain
256, fixedly connected at an intermediate portion thereof to the
frame member 118, has its upper end portion disposed around the
third output driven sprocket 216 disposed upon the distal end
portion of the first driven shaft 192, while the lower end portion
of the first endless driven sprocket chain 256 is disposed within a
first sprocket chain housing 258 mounted upon a lower end portion
of the vertically oriented upstanding post 126 of the fixed
upstanding framework 112. In a similar manner, a second vertically
oriented endless driven sprocket chain 260, fixedly connected at an
intermediate portion thereof to the frame member 118, has its upper
end portion disposed around the fourth output driven sprocket 218
disposed upon the distal end portion of the second driven shaft
194, while the lower end portion of the second endless driven
sprocket chain 260 is disposed within a second sprocket chain
housing 262 mounted upon a lower end portion of the vertically
oriented upstanding post 128 of the fixed upstanding framework
112.
[0027] Still further, a third vertically oriented endless driven
sprocket chain 264, also fixedly connected at an intermediate
portion thereof to the frame member 118, has its upper end portion
disposed around the seventh output driven sprocket 248 disposed
upon the distal end portion of the third driven shaft 226, while
the lower end portion of the third endless driven sprocket chain
264 is disposed within a third sprocket chain housing 266 mounted
upon a lower end portion of the vertically oriented upstanding post
130 of the fixed upstanding framework 112. Furthermore, a fourth
vertically oriented endless driven sprocket chain 268, also fixedly
connected at an intermediate portion thereof to the frame member
118, has its upper end portion disposed around the eighth output
driven sprocket 250 disposed upon the distal end portion of the
fourth driven shaft 228, while the lower end portion of the fourth
endless driven sprocket chain 268 is disposed within a fourth
sprocket chain housing 270 mounted upon a lower end portion of the
vertically oriented upstanding post 132 of the fixed upstanding
framework 112. Yet still further, it is also seen that a first
horizontally oriented sprocket chain 272 is disposed around the
fifth and ninth output driven sprockets 220,252, while a second
horizontally oriented sprocket chain 274 is disposed around the
sixth and tenth output driven sprockets 222,254. Accordingly, when
the first reversible drive motor 174 is actuated so as to, for
example, drive the sprocket chains 256,260,264,268 in either
direction, that is, to lower or to raise the frame member 118,
rotary drive to the vertically oriented sprocket chains 256,260
will be achieved by means of the driven shafts 192,194 and the
driven sprockets 216,218, whereas rotary drive to the vertically
oriented sprocket chains 264,268 will be achieved by means of the
driven shafts 192,194, the driven sprockets 220,222, the
horizontally oriented sprocket chains 272,274, the driven sprockets
252,254, the driven shafts 226, 228, and the sprockets 248,250.
[0028] With reference now being made to FIGS. 3 and 5-8, the system
for mounting the rotary ring member 120 upon the vertically
reciprocable frame member 118, as well as the system for rotating
the rotary ring member 120 with respect to the vertically
reciprocable frame member 118, will now be described. More
particularly, as can best be appreciated from FIG. 6, the
vertically reciprocable frame member 118 has four substantially
triangularly configured mounting brackets or mounting plates
276,278,280,282 fixedly mounted thereon, and each one of the
mounting brackets or mounting plates 276, 278,280,282 is
respectively provided with a horizontally oriented wheel
284,286,288,290 for engaging a vertically oriented external annular
surface portion 292 of the rotary ring member 120. In addition,
each one of the mounting brackets or mounting plates
276,278,280,282 is also respectively provided with a vertically
oriented wheel 294,296,298,300 for engaging a horizontally oriented
external undersurface portion 302 of the rotary ring member 120
whereby the rotary ring member 120 is in fact supported upon such
vertically oriented wheels 294,296,298,300.
[0029] Still further, it is also seen that a first side beam member
304 of the frame member 118 is provided with a mounting bracket 306
upon which a fifth horizontally oriented wheel 308 is rotatably
mounted so as to be rotatably engaged with the vertically oriented
external annular surface portion 292 of the rotary ring member 120,
as well as fifth and sixth vertically oriented wheels 310,312 which
are rotatably mounted upon the mounting bracket 306 so as to be
rotatably engaged with the horizontally oriented external
undersurface portion 302 of the rotary ring member 120. In a
similar manner, a second oppositely disposed side beam member 314
of the frame member 118 is provided with a mounting bracket 316
upon which a sixth horizontally oriented wheel 318 is rotatably
mounted so as to also be rotatably engaged with the vertically
oriented external annular surface portion 292 of the rotary ring
member 120, as well as seventh and eighth vertically oriented
wheels 320,322 which are rotatably mounted upon the mounting
bracket 316 so as to be rotatably engaged with the horizontally
oriented external undersurface portion 302 of the rotary ring
member 120.
[0030] As can best be seen in FIG. 5, in order to provide for the
relative rotation of the rotary ring member 120, and the pair of
diametrically opposed wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assemblies 122,124 mounted thereon, with
respect to the vertically reciprocable frame member 118, a second,
vertically oriented drive motor 324 is fixedly mounted in a
dependent manner upon an undersurface portion of the first side
beam member 304 of frame member 118 within the vicinity of the
triangularly configured mounting bracket 276. In addition, as can
best be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8, the output drive shaft 326 of the
second, vertically oriented drive motor 324 has an output drive
pulley 328 fixedly mounted thereon for rotation with the output
drive shaft 326, and a pair of idler or driven pulleys 330, 332 are
rotatably mounted upon a substantially L-shaped mounting bracket or
mounting plate 333 which is pivotally mounted upon the frame member
118 about an axis which effectively coincides with the axis of the
idler or driven pulley 330. In addition, an endless pulley drive
belt 334 is disposed around the motor drive pulley 328, routed
around an external circumferential portion of the idler or driven
pulley 332, routed around the external peripheral portion of the
rotary ring member 120, routed back around an external
circumferential portion of the idler or driven pulley 330, and
routed back around the motor drive pulley 328. It is lastly noted
that a turnbuckle mechanism 336 is operatively connected to the
substantially L-shaped mounting bracket or mounting plate 333,
through means of a crank mechanism, not shown, whereby rotation of
the turnbuckle mechanism 336 can pivotally adjust the relative
disposition of the substantially L-shaped mounting bracket or
mounting plate 333 and the idler or driven pulley 332 with respect
to, for example, the motor drive pulley 328 and the idler or driven
pulley 330. In this manner, a predetermined amount of tension can
be impressed upon or imparted to the endless pulley belt 334
disposed around the external peripheral portion of the rotary ring
member 120.
[0031] With reference now being made to FIGS. 3 and 5, it is seen
that a pair of diametrically opposed wrapping or packaging film
clamping assemblies 338,340, which are adapted to be operatively
associated with the pair of diametrically opposed wrapping or
packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies
122,124, as will become more apparent hereinafter, are respectively
fixedly mounted in a dependent manner upon a pair of cross-beam
members 342,344. As can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper or
left end portion of the cross-beam member 342, as viewed in FIGS. 4
and 5, is fixedly connected, such as, for example, by means of a
suitable welding process, to a linear bearing housing member 346
containing a linear bearing member, not shown, and the linear
bearing member, not shown, is operatively engaged with, or
effectively rides upon, a rail or track member 348 so as to
effectively be capable of linear translational movement along the
same. In a similar manner, the right or lower end portion of the
cross-beam member 344, as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, is fixedly
connected to a linear bearing housing member 350 which likewise
contains a linear bearing member, not shown, which is operatively
engaged with a rail or track member 351, which can best be seen in
FIG. 4, so as to likewise effectively be capable of linear
translational movement therealong. A piston-cylinder assembly 352
is fixedly mounted upon the frame member 118 such that the free or
distal end portion of the piston rod of the piston-cylinder
assembly 352 is operatively connected to the linear bearing housing
member 346, and in a similar manner, another piston-cylinder
assembly 353, also best seen in FIG. 4, is fixedly mounted upon the
frame member 118 such that the free or distal end portion of the
piston rod of the piston-cylinder assembly 353 is operatively
connected to the linear bearing housing member 350.
[0032] The upper or left end portion of the cross-beam member 344,
as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, is movably mounted upon a track, or
within a channel 355, as can best be seen in FIG. 4, which is
disposed upon the frame member 118 beneath the piston-cylinder
assembly 352, while in a similar manner, the lower or right end
portion of the cross-beam member 342, as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5,
is likewise movably mounted upon a track, or within a channel 357,
as best seen in FIG. 4, which is disposed upon the frame member 118
beneath the piston-cylinder assembly 353 operatively connected to
the linear bearing housing member 350. In this manner, when the
piston rods of the piston-cylinder assemblies 352,353 are extended
or retracted either independently or in unison, the cross-beam
members 342,344, having the wrapping or packaging film clamping
assemblies 338,340 disposed thereon, will be respectively moved
toward and away from the side beam members 304,314 so as to
respectively position the wrapping or packaging film clamping
assemblies 338,340 away from or adjacent to the pair of
diametrically opposed wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assemblies 122, 124. The wrapping or packaging
film clamping assemblies 338, 340 are substantially identical with
respect to each other, and it is noted that they are disposed upon
their respective cross-beam members 342,344 in the same
orientations so as to be capable of operation at their
diametrically opposed positions with respect to their respective
wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assemblies 122, 124.
[0033] In connection with the structural composition of each one of
the wrapping or packaging film clamping assemblies 338,340, and
with wrapping or packaging film clamping assembly 338 being
exemplary as can best be appreciated from FIGS. 3 and 3a, it is
seen that the wrapping or packaging film clamping assembly 338
comprises a vertically oriented, semi-cylindrical hollow tubular
member 354, and a vertically oriented cylindrically configured
clamping rod 356. The entire film clamping assembly 338 is
pivotally mounted upon a mounting bracket 358, as best seen in FIG.
5, so as to be movable between a first inoperative position, to
which the film clamping assembly 338 will have been moved away from
the observer or further into the page as viewed in FIG. 3a, and a
second operative position at which the film clamping assembly 338
will be disposed at its illustrated position within FIG. 3a. The
upper end portion of the vertically oriented cylindrically
configured clamping rod 356 is also pivotally mounted upon the
mounting bracket 358 so as to effectively be movable, by means of
suitable mechanisms not shown, with respect to the semi-cylindrical
tubular member 354 between an OPEN film insertion position, wherein
the vertically oriented cylindrically configured clamping rod 356
is effectively disposed out of the page as illustrated within FIG.
3a, and a CLOSED film clamping position as illustrated in FIG.
3a.
[0034] In addition, an auxiliary film clamping mechanism 360 is
pivotally mounted upon the mounting bracket 358 for effectively
transferring the leading end or film tail portion of the wrapping
or packaging film, disposed upon the wrapping or packaging film
roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 122, from a film
tail holder, not shown but disclosed within copending patent
application entitled AUTOMATIC FILM CHANGER FOR A FILM WRAPPING
MACHINE, Ser. No. ______, which is hereby incorporated by
reference, of the wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assembly 122 to a position at which the package
wrapping or packaging operation can be commenced after a new or
fresh roll of wrapping or packaging film is mounted upon the
wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assembly 122, all as more fully set forth within the aforenoted
copending patent application entitled AUTOMATIC FILM CHANGER FOR A
FILM WRAPPING MACHINE, Ser. No. ______. Still further, a film
cutting device, in the form of a heated wire 362, is also mounted
upon the wrapping or packaging film clamping assembly 338, at a
position adjacent to the film clamping tubular member 354 and
clamping rod 356, so as to effectively sever the wrapping or
packaging film upon completion of a package wrapping or packaging
cycle, and still yet further, a plurality of vertically spaced
heated sealers 364 are provided for sealing the severed trailing
end portion of the wrapping or packaging film onto the wrapped or
packaged load.
[0035] Having described all of the pertinent structural components
of the new and improved film wrapping or packaging machine 110
constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the
present invention, a brief description of the operation of the same
will now be set forth. More particularly, assuming that a package,
to be wrapped or packaged within wrapping or packaging film, is
already disposed at the wrapping or packaging station 116, the pair
of diametrically opposed wrapping or packaging film roll mounting
and dispensing carriage assemblies 122,124 are disposed at their
START positions, as illustrated within FIG. 5, however, only one of
the pair of diametrically opposed wrapping or packaging film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies 122, 124, such as, for
example, wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assembly 122, will actually begin or commence a package
wrapping or packaging cycle, that is, during a package wrapping or
packaging cycle or operation, wrapping or packaging film will only
be dispensed from wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assembly 122. It is of course to be appreciated
that the wrapping or packaging film can alternatively be dispensed
only from wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assembly 124, however, for the purposes of the present
description, it will be assumed that film will be dispensed only
from wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assembly 122.
[0036] Accordingly, it is to be noted that at this point in time,
while both of the wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assemblies 122,124 have been provided with new
or fresh rolls of wrapping or packaging film, wherein the free,
leading end or film tail portions of the new or fresh rolls of
wrapping or packaging film are disposed within the film tail
holders, not shown but disclosed within the aforenoted copending
patent application entitled AUTOMATIC FILM CHANGER FOR A FILM
WRAP-PING MACHINE, Ser. No. ______, the programmable logic
controller PLC will only activate the auxiliary film clamp
mechanism 360, operatively associated with the wrapping or
packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 122
from which the wrapping or packaging film is to be dispensed, so as
to effectively grasp and move the leading end or film tail portion,
of the new or fresh roll of wrapping or packaging film disposed
upon the wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assembly 122 from which the wrapping or packaging film is
to be dispensed, from its disposition within the film tail holder
to a position at which the film wrapping or packaging operation can
be commenced.
[0037] Alternatively, after wrapping or packaging film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 122 has completed a
previous package wrapping or packaging cycle or operation, the free
end portion of the film, disposed upon the roll of wrapping or
packaging film disposed within wrapping or packaging film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 122, will be disposed
within the corresponding wrapping or packaging film clamping
assembly 338, that is, secured between the clamping rod 356 and the
semi-cylindrical film clamping tubular member 354.
[0038] Subsequently, the programmable logic controller PLC
initiates operation of the second, vertically oriented drive motor
324 so as to cause rotation of the rotary ring member 120, and the
pair of diametrically opposed wrapping or packaging film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies 122,124 disposed
thereon, in the counterclockwise direction, and in addition, and at
substantially the same time, the programmable logic controller PLC
also initiates operation of the first reversible drive motor 174 so
as to drive or move the vertically movable frame member 118, having
the rotary ring member 120 rotatably mounted thereon, between its
uppermost and lowermost positions during the film wrapping or
packaging operation. It is to be noted that, depending upon
predetermined or particular wrapping or packaging preferences,
operational modes, or the packages or articles to be wrapped or
packaged, the vertically movable frame member 118 may initially be
disposed at its lowermost position such that the same will ascend
during a package wrapping or packaging operation, or alternatively,
the vertically movable frame member 118 may initially be disposed
at its uppermost position whereby the same will descend during a
package wrapping or packaging operation. In either case, at the
conclusion of a particular package wrapping or packaging cycle or
operation, the programmable logic controller PLC will actuate, for
example, piston-cylinder assembly 352, which controls the movement
of the cross-beam 342 upon which the wrapping or packaging film
clamping assembly 338, operatively associated with the wrapping or
packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 122
from which the wrapping or packaging film has been dispensed, is
disposed so as to move the wrapping or packaging film clamping
assembly 338 to a position adjacent to the film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assembly 122 from which the wrapping or
packaging film has been dispensed, wherein it is noted that the
wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assemblies 122,124 have been stopped at, or effectively returned
to, their START positions as illustrated within FIG. 5.
[0039] Subsequently, the programmable logic controller PLC will
activate the mechanisms, not shown, controlling the pivotal
movements of the film clamping tubular member and clamping rod
components 354,356 of the wrapping or packaging film clamping
mechanism 338 so as to pivotally move the same to their downward
positions, and still further, the programmable logic controller PLC
will also activate the mechanism, not shown, for controlling the
pivotal movement of the clamping rod 356, that is disposed upon the
wrapping or packaging film clamping assembly 338, so as to
effectively move the clamping rod 356 out of the page, as
illustrated within FIG. 3a, to its OPEN position with respect to
its semi-cylindrical hollow tubular member 354. The programmable
logic controller PLC will then activate the second, vertically
oriented drive motor 324 so as to again cause rotation of the
rotary ring member 120 in the counterclockwise direction so as to
move the pair of wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assemblies 122,124 to predetermined angular
positions just past or beyond the wrapping or packaging film
clamping assemblies 338,340. Subsequently still further, the
programmable logic controller PLC will again actuate the mechanism,
not shown, controlling the pivotal movement of the clamping rod 356
so as to now effectively move the clamping rod 356, back into the
page as illustrated in FIG. 3a, to its CLOSED position with respect
to their semi-cylindrical hollow tubular member 354 so as to
effectively clamp a portion of the packaging or wrapping film
therebetween, and in addition, the programmable logic controller
PLC will again actuate the second, vertically oriented drive motor
324 so as to cause rotation of the rotary ring member 120 in the
reverse or clockwise direction so as to effectively move or return
the pair of wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assemblies 122,124 back to their START positions.
Accordingly, it can be appreciated that the wrapping or packaging
film effectively becomes wrapped around the clamping rod 356 of the
wrapping or packaging film clamping assembly 338.
[0040] Still yet further, at substantially this point in time, the
programmable logic controller PLC will also cause the film cutting
wires 362 to be heated such that as the clamping rod 356 is moved
toward its CLOSED position, a portion of the wrapping or packaging
film will be forced into contact with the heated wire 362 thereby
severing the wrapping or packaging film. The trailing end portion
of the wrapping or packaging film, which forms part of the wrapping
or packaging film disposed upon or wrapped around the wrapped or
packaged article, package, or palletized load, will then be wiped,
pressed, and sealed onto the wrapped or packaged article, package,
or palletized load by, for example, the plurality of vertically
spaced heated sealers 364, so as to effectively complete the
wrapping or packaging operation with respect to the article,
package, or palletized load that has just been wrapped or packaged,
while the leading end portion of the wrapping or packaging film
will be retained within the wrapping or packaging film clamping
assembly 338, by means of the tubular cylinder and clamping rod
354,364, in preparation for the commencement or start of a new
wrapping or packaging cycle or operation. It is of course to be
understood that at the commencement or start of such a new wrapping
or packaging cycle or operation, after a predetermined number of
wrapping or packaging film layers have been wrapped around the
article or object to be wrapped or packaged, the tubular cylinders
and clamping rods 354,364 of the film clamping assemblies 338,340
will release the leading end portions of the wrapping or packaging
films.
[0041] In accordance with last principles and teachings of the
present invention, it is to be noted that if the roll of film,
disposed upon wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assembly 122, becomes depleted or experiences a
breakage during a package wrapping or packaging cycle or operation,
such a condition will be sensed, for example, by means of a tension
roller, not shown but disclosed within the aforenoted copending
patent application entitled AUTOMATIC FILM CHANGER FOR A FILM
WRAPPING MACHINE, Ser. No. ______. Accordingly, several operational
options are available at this point in time. In accordance with a
first, fully automatic mode of operation, a signal will be sent
from the tension roller to the programmable logic controller PLC,
and the programmable logic controller PLC will send an appropriate
signal to the first reversible drive motor 174 in order to
effectively return the vertically movable frame member 118 to its
original package wrapping or packaging START position, that is,
either to its uppermost or lowermost elevational position depending
upon whether or not the article, package, or palletized load is
being wrapped or packaged while the vertically movable frame member
118 is moving in an ascending mode or in a descending mode. In
addition, the programmable logic controller PLC will also send an
appropriate signal to the second reversible drive motor 324 so as
to effectively rotate the rotary ring member 120 back to its START
position as illustrated, for example, within FIG. 5. Subsequently
still further, the programmable logic controller PLC will activate
the auxiliary film clamp mechanism 360, operatively associated with
the wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assembly 124, from which the wrapping or packaging film is
to now be dispensed, so as to effectively grasp and move the
leading end or film tail portion, of the new or fresh roll of
wrapping or packaging film disposed upon the wrapping or packaging
film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 124 from which
the wrapping or packaging film is to be dispensed, from its
disposition within the film tail holder to a position at which the
film wrapping or packaging operation can be commenced anew.
[0042] It can therefore be appreciated that in accordance with this
particular mode of operation, the incompletely wrapped or packaged
article, package, or palletized load will now effectively be
completely wrapped by means of the packaging or wrapping film,
being dispensed from the wrapping or packaging film roll mounting
and dispensing carriage assembly 124, as a result of the film,
dispensed from the wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assembly 124, being wrapped directly over the
previously incomplete wrapping or packaging film. In this manner,
despite the occurrence of the depletion or breakage of the
packaging or wrapping film upon the wrapping or packaging film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 122, the package wrapping
or packaging cycles or operations can automatically continue until
the wrapping or packaging film, now being dispensed from the
wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assembly 124, is fully depleted. At such point in time, both
depleted rolls of wrapping or packaging film can be replaced with
new or fresh rolls of wrapping or packaging film, or alternatively,
the second depleted roll of wrapping or packaging film can be
replaced with a new or fresh roll of wrapping or packaging film,
while the original roll of wrapping or packaging film, which
experienced the breakage in the film, can effectively have its
leading end or film tail portion reinserted within the film tail
holder operatively associated with the wrapping or packaging film
clamping assembly 338 disposed upon the wrapping or packaging film
roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 122 so as to permit
the film wrapping or packaging machine 110 to begin or commence a
new cycle or series of package wrapping or packaging operations
similar to the original cycle or series of package wrapping or
packaging operations.
[0043] In accordance with a second, alternative semi-automatic mode
of operation, as has been noted hereinbefore, when the roll of
film, disposed upon wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assembly 122, becomes depleted or experiences a
breakage during a package wrapping or packaging cycle or operation,
such a condition will be sensed, for example, by means of the
tension roller, and accordingly, a signal will be sent from the
tension roller to the programmable logic controller PLC whereby the
programmable logic controller PLC will now send an appropriate
signal to the first reversible drive motor 174 in order to
effectively stop the movement of the vertically movable frame
member 118 at its current elevational level. At this point in time,
an operator can effectively seal the trailing end portion of the
film, disposed upon the incompletely wrapped or packaged article,
package, or palletized load, onto that portion of the wrapping or
packaging film which is already wrapped upon the incompletely
wrapped or packaged article, package, or palletized load, and if
the roll of film, disposed upon the wrapping or packaging film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 122, was depleted, the
programmable logic controller PLC will activate the auxiliary film
clamp mechanism 360, operatively associated with the wrapping or
packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 124,
from which the wrapping or packaging film is to now be dispensed,
so as to effectively grasp and move the leading end or film tail
portion, of the new or fresh roll of wrapping or packaging film
disposed upon the wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assembly 124 from which the wrapping or
packaging film is to be dispensed, from its disposition within the
film tail holder to a position at which the film wrapping or
packaging operation can be commenced.
[0044] Alternatively, if the roll of film, disposed upon the
wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assembly 122, experienced a breakage, the operator can reinsert the
leading end or film tail portion of the film, disposed upon the
wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assembly 122, back into the film tail holder, and subsequently, the
programmable logic controller PLC will activate the auxiliary film
clamp mechanism 360, operatively associated with the wrapping or
packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 122
from which dispensing of the wrapping or packaging film is to be
resumed, so as to effectively grasp and move the leading end or
film tail portion of the wrapping or packaging film, disposed upon
the wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing
carriage assembly 122, from its disposition within the film tail
holder to a position at which the film wrapping or packaging
operation can be resumed.
[0045] It is to be further appreciated that when the wrapping or
packaging film, disposed upon the wrapping or packaging film roll
mounting and dispensing carriage assembly 122, is finally depleted,
the operation of the film wrapping or packaging machine 110 will
effectively be temporarily halted at the position at which the film
depletion occurred, the operator will seal the trailing end portion
of the depleted film onto the incompletely wrapped or packaged
article, package, or palletized load, and subsequently, the
programmable logic controller PLC will effectively switch over the
operation of the film wrapping or packaging machine 110, by
actuating the auxiliary film clamp mechanism 360, operatively
associated with the wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assembly 124, as has been previously described,
such that the package wrapping or packaging operations can continue
in accordance with this second, semi-automatic mode of operation
until, of course, the wrapping or packaging film, disposed upon the
wrapping or packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assembly 124, is also depleted, at which time both wrapping or
packaging film roll mounting and dispensing carriage assemblies
122,124 need to have new or fresh rolls of wrapping or packaging
film placed thereon. It can therefore be appreciated that in
accordance with this second, semi-automatic mode of operation, the
wrapping or packaging operation is effectively continued at the
place where the depletion or the breakage of the wrapping or
packaging film occurred without the need for the entire package
wrapping or packaging operation to be completely restarted from the
beginning of the package wrapping or packaging operation. It is to
lastly be noted that in accordance with the aforenoted second,
semi-automatic mode of operation, the continued presence of an
operator is substantially required in order to effectively monitor
the package wrapping or packaging operations, however, the film
wrapping or packaging machine 110 may be provided with a suitable
alarm circuit by means of which, when a film depletion or breakage
occurs, an alarm is sounded thereby effectively summoning an
operator. In this manner, the operator's presence is not always
required whereby the film wrapping or packaging machine 110 can run
automatically without the need for an operator to continuously
monitor or oversee the package wrapping or packaging
operations.
[0046] Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles
and teachings of the present invention, there has been disclosed a
new and improved film wrapping or packaging machine wherein a pair
of diametrically opposed film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assemblies are used to individually, separately, and sequentially
dispense their wrapping or packaging films, and wherein further, if
depletion or breakage occurs within the wrapping or packaging film
being dispensed by means of the first film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assembly, the second film roll mounting and
dispensing carriage assembly can effectively be activated so as to
dispense its wrapping or packaging film whereby the film wrapping
or packaging operation can continue with a minimum amount of
stoppage or downtime. The switch-over or change-over between the
first and second film roll mounting and dispensing carriage
assemblies can be achieved in accordance with automatic and
semi-automatic modes of operation.
[0047] Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is
therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
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