U.S. patent application number 14/991241 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for portable stretch wrapping machine.
The applicant listed for this patent is Neil G. COUSINS, Srbislav Z. DAVIDOVIC. Invention is credited to Neil G. COUSINS, Srbislav Z. DAVIDOVIC.
Application Number | 20160200467 14/991241 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56366990 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160200467 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
COUSINS; Neil G. ; et
al. |
July 14, 2016 |
PORTABLE STRETCH WRAPPING MACHINE
Abstract
A portable stretch wrapping machine comprising a portable column
having wheels for rolling on a surface, a cantilevered arm
extending forwardly from a top of the portable column, a rotating
arm depending from a distal end of the cantilevered arm, with the
rotating arm including a stretch wrap holder with a roll of stretch
wrap, wherein the rotating arm is spaced from the surface during
wrapping of a product and no part of the portable stretch wrapping
machine contacts the surface within any area defined by the area of
rotation of the rotating arm, and wherein the portable stretch
wrapping machine includes a counter balance extending rearwardly
from a bottom of the portable column.
Inventors: |
COUSINS; Neil G.;
(Tottenham, CA) ; DAVIDOVIC; Srbislav Z.;
(Oakville, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COUSINS; Neil G.
DAVIDOVIC; Srbislav Z. |
Tottenham
Oakville |
|
CA
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
56366990 |
Appl. No.: |
14/991241 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62101081 |
Jan 8, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/556 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 11/025 20130101;
B65B 11/585 20130101; B65B 59/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 11/02 20060101
B65B011/02; B65B 45/00 20060101 B65B045/00; B65B 41/12 20060101
B65B041/12 |
Claims
1. A portable stretch wrapping machine comprising: a portable
column having wheels for rolling on a surface; a cantilevered arm
extending forwardly from a top of the portable column; and a
rotating arm depending from a distal end of the cantilevered arm,
with the rotating arm including a stretch wrap holder with a roll
of stretch wrap; wherein the rotating arm is spaced from the
surface during wrapping of a product and no part of the portable
stretch wrapping machine contacts the surface within any area
defined by an area of rotation of the rotating arm, and wherein the
portable stretch wrapping machine includes a counter balance
extending rearwardly from a bottom of the portable column.
2. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein: a
motor powers rotation of at least one of the wheels.
3. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein: the
portable column includes a base having the wheels connected thereto
and an upright extending upwardly from the base, with the
cantilevered arm extending from the upright.
4. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 3, wherein: the
base comprises a platform and a pair of side legs extending
forwardly from the platform, with the upright extending upwardly
from the platform; each of the pair of side legs includes a forward
end, with a line between the forward end of the pair of side legs
extending through the area of rotation of the rotating arm.
5. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 4, wherein: each
of the pair of side legs includes at least one of the wheels.
6. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 5, wherein: the
platform also includes at least one of the wheels.
7. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 6, wherein: a
motor powers rotation of the at least one of the wheels of the
platform.
8. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 6, wherein: the
portable column further includes a steering handle assembly
rotatably connected to the platform, the steering handle assembly
be fixedly connected to the at least one of the wheels of the
platform for pivoting the at least one of the wheels of the
platform during rotation of the steering handle assembly relative
to the platform.
9. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 4, wherein: the
upright includes a pair of first sensors for sensing a distance of
the product to the upright.
10. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 9, wherein: the
pair of side legs each include a second sensor for sensing a
location of the product.
11. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein: the
cantilevered arm includes a rotating motor for rotating the
rotating arm.
12. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 11, wherein: the
rotating arm includes a horizontal portion rotatably connected to
the cantilevered arm and a vertical portion holding the stretch
wrap holder; and the rotating arm includes a holder motor for
raising and lowering the stretch wrap holder on the vertical
portion of the rotating arm.
13. A portable stretch wrapping machine comprising: a portable
column including a base having wheels for rolling on a surface and
an upright extending upwardly from the base; a cantilevered arm
extending forwardly from a top of the portable column; and a
rotating arm depending from a distal end of the cantilevered arm,
with the rotating arm including a stretch wrap holder with a roll
of stretch wrap, the rotating arm including a horizontal portion
rotatably connected to the cantilevered arm and a vertical portion
holding the stretch wrap holder; the cantilevered arm including a
rotating motor for rotating the rotating arm; and the rotating arm
including a holder motor for raising and lowering the stretch wrap
holder on the vertical portion of the rotating arm; wherein the
rotating arm is spaced from the surface during wrapping of a
product and no part of the portable stretch wrapping machine
contacts the surface within any area defined by an area of rotation
of the rotating arm, and wherein the portable stretch wrapping
machine includes a counter balance extending rearwardly from a
bottom of the portable column.
14. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 13, wherein: the
base comprises a platform and a pair of side legs extending
forwardly from the platform, with the upright extending upwardly
from the platform; each of the pair of side legs includes a forward
end, with a line between the forward end of the pair of side legs
extending through the area of rotation of the rotating arm.
15. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 14, wherein:
each of the pair of side legs includes at least one of the
wheels.
16. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 15, wherein: the
platform also includes at least one of the wheels.
17. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 16, wherein: a
wheel motor powers rotation of the at least one of the wheels of
the platform.
18. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 16, wherein: the
portable column further includes a steering handle assembly
rotatably connected to the platform, the steering handle assembly
be fixedly connected to the at least one of the wheels of the
platform for pivoting the at least one of the wheels of the
platform during rotation of the steering handle assembly relative
to the platform.
19. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 14, wherein: the
upright includes a pair of first sensors for sensing a distance of
the product to the upright.
20. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 19, wherein: the
pair of side legs each include a second sensor for sensing a
location of the product.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.
No. 62/101 081, filed Jan. 8, 2015, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention concerns stretch wrapping machines,
and more particularly relates to a portable stretch wrapping
machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] During the past several decades, considerable developments
have been made in the field of wrapping a load with a stretched web
of film. Most stretch wrapping machines are stationary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a first rear perspective view of a portable
stretch wrapping machine of the present invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a second rear perspective view of the portable
stretch wrapping machine of the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a first front perspective view of the portable
stretch wrapping machine of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a second front perspective view of the portable
stretch wrapping machine of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a side view of the portable stretch wrapping
machine of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the portable stretch wrapping
machine of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a top view of the portable stretch wrapping
machine of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the portable stretch wrapping
machine of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a side view of the portable stretch wrapping
machine of the present invention in a folded position.
[0013] FIG. 10 is a front view of a sensor panel of the portable
stretch wrapping machine of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as orientated in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the
invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where
expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood
that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached
drawings, and described in the following specification are simply
exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific
dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the
embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as
limiting.
[0015] The reference number 10 (FIGS. 1-8) generally designates a
portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. The
portable stretch wrapping machine 10 includes a movable base 12
having a wrapping column 14 mounted thereon. The wrapping column 14
includes a post assembly 18, a cantilevered arm 20 extending from a
top of the post assembly 18 and an inverted L-shaped wrapping arm
22 depending downwardly from the cantilevered arm 20. A carriage 24
rides on the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22. Stretch wrap 26 is
pulled from the carriage 24 to wrap a product 28 (see FIGS. 5-7)
while the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22 rotates about the
product 28. The portable stretch wrapping machine 10 is configured
to be movable such that the portable stretch wrapping machine 10
can be moved to the product 28 and wrap the product 28 from a top
16 thereof to the floor 30 to thereby allow a pallet 32 under the
product 28 to be wrapped.
[0016] In the illustrated example, the movable base 12 allows the
portable stretch wrapping machine 10 to be moved to the product 28
to wrap the product 28 with the stretch wrap 26. The movable base
12 includes a support plate 34 supporting the wrapping column 14,
an underframe 36 supporting the support plate 34 and a drive
assembly 38 for moving the portable stretch wrapping machine 10.
The support plate 34 is a substantially rectangular panel 40 that
is made of material strong enough to support the wrapping column
14. The support plate 34 can also act as a counterweight to the
wrapping column 14 to prevent the portable stretch wrapping machine
10 from becoming unbalanced. For example, the panel 40 can be
formed to 0.5 inch thick steel. However, it is contemplated that
further counterweights could be positioned on or connected to the
panel 40. In the illustrated example, the panel 40 includes a pair
of rear angled sections 42 to reduce weight and to allow the
portable stretch wrapping machine 10 to turn easily.
[0017] The illustrated movable base 12 includes the underframe 36
to provide support to the panel 40 of the support plate 34 and to
allow the movable base 12 to move. The underframe 36 includes a
front beam 46 connected to a bottom surface 48 of the panel 40 of
the support plate 34 substantially under the wrapping column 14.
The illustrated front beam 46 has a rectangular cross-sectional
shape and extends beyond opposite side edges 50 of the support
plate 34. A side leg 52 extends from each end 54 on the front beam
46. Each side leg 52 includes an angled beam 56 extending outwardly
from the end 54 of the front beam 46 and away from the support
plate 34. Each side leg 52 also includes an extension beam 58
extending from an end of the angled beam 56 opposite to the front
beam 46. In the illustrated example, the extension beam 58 is
substantially perpendicular to the front beam 46. As illustrated in
FIGS. 6 and 7, a distance between the extension beams 58 is larger
than a width of the product 28 and the pallet 32. Each extension
beam 58 includes a roller wheel 60 connected to an end thereof
opposite to the angled beam 56. In the illustrated example, each of
the roller wheels 60 is fixed onto the end of the extension beam 58
and has an axis of rotation that is parallel to the front beam 46.
However, it is contemplated that the roller wheels 60 could be able
to be rotated about the end of the extension beams 58 about a
vertical axis. The underframe 36 further includes a pair of
parallel side beams 62 under side edges of the panel 40 of the
support plate 34 and a pair of corner beams 64 under the rear
angled sections 42 of the panel 40 of the support plate 34. A guard
plate 66 is connected to and extends between the corner beams 64.
The guard plate 66 guards a portion of the drive assembly 38
located under the support plate 34.
[0018] In the illustrated example, the drive assembly 38 moves and
steers the movable base 12. The drive assembly 38 includes a driven
wheel assembly 70 connected to a steering handle assembly 72. As
illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the drive assembly 38 includes a housing
panel 74 connected to the support plate 34. The housing panel 74
has an inverted U-shape with a pair of side panels 76 with bottom
flanges 78 connected to the panel 40 of the support plate 34 in a
rear area thereof and a top panel 80 extending between the side
panels 76. The housing panel 74 is located over an opening 82 in
the rear of the panel 40 of the support plate 34. The opening 82
opens at the rear of the panel 40 of the support plate 34 and the
guard plate 66 covers the rear of the opening 82 as illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2. A battery housing 84 is located to the front of the
housing panel 74. The battery housing 84 housing a battery for
powering the drive assembly 38 to move the movable base 12 and for
powering the wrapping column 14 to wrap the product 28.
[0019] The illustrated driven wheel assembly 70 is connected to the
steering handle assembly 72 through the housing panel 74. As
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8, the driven wheel assembly
70 includes a wheel 85 that engages the floor 30 to move the
movable base 12 along with an axle assembly 86 that engages the
wheel 85. The axle assembly 86 includes an upper support portion 88
located above the wheel 85, a first fixed axle portion 90 on a
first side of the wheel 85 and connected to the upper support
portion 88, and a second fixed axle portion 92 on a second side of
the wheel 85. The first fixed axle portion 90 and the second fixed
axle portion 92 engage sides of the wheel 85 and maintain the wheel
85 in position relative to the upper support portion 88. An axle
(not shown) driven by a motor powered by the battery rotates the
wheel 85. The motor rotating the axle is located in the first fixed
axle portion 90. The upper support portion 88 of the axle assembly
86 is connected to a vertical axle 94 (see FIG. 6) that extends
through the housing panel 74. The vertical axle 94 is connected to
the steering handle assembly 72 such that rotation of the steering
handle assembly 72 about a vertical axis of the vertical axle 94
rotates the driven wheel assembly 70.
[0020] In the illustrated example, the steering handle assembly 72
actuates the driven wheel assembly 70 and steers the portable
stretch wrapping machine 10. The steering handle assembly 72
includes a handle base panel 96 on top of the top panel 80 of the
housing panel 74. The handle base panel 96 has an inverted U-shape
with a pair of side panels 98 with bottom flanges 100 connected to
the top panel 80 of the housing panel 74 and a top panel 102
extending between the side panels 98. The vertical axle 94 is
connected to the driven wheel assembly 70, extends through the top
panel 80 of the housing panel 74 and through the top panel 102 of
the handle base panel 96. An upper bearing 104 surrounding the
vertical axle 94 is connected to a bottom surface of the top panel
102 of the handle base panel 96 and a lower bearing 106 surrounding
the vertical axle 94 is connected to a top surface of the top panel
80 of the housing panel 74. The upper bearing 104 and the lower
bearing 106 maintain the position of the vertical axle 94 relative
to the housing panel 74 and the handle base panel 96. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, a wheel bearing 108 can be located between
the upper support portion 88 of the axle assembly 86 and the bottom
surface of the top panel 80 of the housing panel 74 to allow the
driven wheel assembly 70 to easily rotate with the vertical axle
94.
[0021] The illustrated steering handle assembly 72 further includes
a handle 110 coupled to the vertical axle 94 for rotating the
vertical axle 94. The handle 110 includes an axle connection plate
112, a pivot assembly 114, a post 116 and a grip 118. The axle
connection plate 112 is connected to a top of the vertical axle 94
extending through the top panel 102 of the handle base panel 96.
The axle connection plate 112 is fixed to the vertical axle 94 and
rotates therewith. The pivot assembly 114 includes a pair of
vertical plates 120 connected to and extending upwardly from the
axle connection plate 112. An inverted U-shaped plate 124 at a
bottom end of the post 116 is located between the vertical plates
120 and is pivotally connected thereto by a horizontal axle 122
adjacent a first side of the inverted U-shaped plate 124. A spring
126 biases a second side of the inverted U-shaped plate 124 upward
to maintain the post 116 in a vertical position (via a pivot pin
128 as illustrated in FIG. 6). The post 116 can be lowered about
the horizontal axle 122 against the bias of the spring 126 to allow
for easy rotation of the steering handle assembly 72 about the
vertical axis of the vertical axle 94 to thereby steer the movable
base 12 by rotating the vertical axle. The grip 118 is located at
the top of the post 116 and allows for easy movement of the handle
110. The grip 118 includes buttons and/or a lever 131 for moving
the wheel 85 in a first direction and/or a second direction for
easily moving the movable base 12. The grip 118 can also include a
brake lever 132 for stopping rotation of the wheel 85.
[0022] In the illustrated example, the movable base 12 is used to
bring the wrapping column 14 to the product 28 for wrapping the
product 28 (and the pallet 32 if desired). The post assembly 18 of
the wrapping column 14 is connected to a top of the panel 40 of the
support plate 34 adjacent the front beam 46. The post assembly 18
includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically extending posts 134.
The posts 134 can have braces 136 extending between side surfaces
thereof and the top of the panel 40 of the support plate 34 to
provide for extra stability for the post assembly 18. A folding
assembly 138 is connected to the top of the posts 134. As discussed
in more detail below, the folding assembly 138 allows for a top of
the wrapping column 14 to be folded to a horizontal position (see
FIG. 9). The folding assembly 138 includes a pair of pillars 140 at
the top of the posts 134. Each pillar 140 is connected to one of
the posts 134 by a hinge 142. The folding assembly 138 also
includes a lower cross brace 144 extending between a bottom of the
pillars 140 and an upper cross brace 146 parallel to the lower
cross brace 144 connected to a top of the pillars 140. A centrally
located pole 148 extends upwardly from a top surface of the upper
cross brace 146 at a location substantially equally spaced from the
pillars 140. L-shaped braces 150 can be connected to opposite side
surfaces of the pole 148 and a top surface of the upper cross brace
146 for added stability.
[0023] The illustrated cantilevered arm 20 extends forwardly from
the top of the pole 148 of the folding assembly 138 of the post
assembly 18. The cantilevered arm 20 of the illustrated embodiment
is beam 152 having a rectangular cross sectional shape. An angled
brace 154 can extend between a bottom surface of the beam 152 and a
side surface of the pole 148 of the folding assembly 138 of the
post assembly 18 for added stability. A first motor assembly 156 is
connected to the beam 152 of the cantilevered arm 20 at a distal
end thereof opposite the pole 148 of the folding assembly 138 of
the post assembly 18. The first motor assembly 156 is powered by
the battery on the movable base 12 and rotates the inverted
L-shaped wrapping arm 22. The first motor assembly 156 includes a
motor base 158 having a first motor 160 connected thereto. The
first motor 160 rotates a first pulley wheel 162 connected to the
motor base 158. A second pulley wheel 164 is located on top of the
beam 152 of the cantilevered arm 20 at a distal end thereof. An
endless link 167 surrounds the first pulley wheel 162 and the
second pulley wheel 164 such that rotation of the first pulley
wheel 162 by the first motor 160 causes the second pulley wheel 164
to rotate. A wrapping axle 166 is connected to the second pulley
wheel 164 and rotates with the second pulley wheel 164. The
inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22 is also connected to the wrapping
axle 166 and rotates with the wrapping axle 166. As illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the wrapping axle 166 has a first bearing 170
located under the beam 152 of the cantilevered arm 20, a second
bearing 172 located within the beam 152 of the cantilevered arm 20
and a third bearing 174 on top of the beam 152 of the cantilevered
arm 20. The first bearing 170, the second bearing 172 and the third
bearing 174 maintain a position of the wrapping axle 166 on the
beam 152 of the cantilevered arm 20. The cantilevered arm 20 can
also include an upper wrapping axle support (not shown) connected
to an upper end of the wrapping axle 166 within an axle housing 176
to provide further support for the wrapping axle 166.
[0024] In the illustrated example, the inverted L-shaped wrapping
arm 22 rotates about the product 28 to wrap the product 28 with the
stretch wrap 26. The inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22 includes a
horizontal portion 180 and a vertical portion 182. The carriage 24
is connected to the vertical portion 182 and is configured to move
vertically along the vertical portion 182 of the inverted L-shaped
wrapping arm 22. An inner end of the horizontal portion 180 of the
inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22 is connected to a bottom of the
wrapping axle 166 and rotates with the wrapping axle 166. A second
motor assembly 184 is located at the inner end of the horizontal
portion 180 of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22. The second
motor assembly 184 includes a motor 186 powered by the battery on
the movable base 12. The second motor assembly 184 includes a spool
188 that is rotated by the motor 186. A cable 190 is configured to
be selectively pulled and wrapped onto the spool 188 or unwound
from the spool 188 to raise and lower the carriage 24. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, the cable 190 is guided over a first guide
wheel 192 connected to a pivot pin 194 connected to a pair of
plates 196 extending downwardly from the horizontal portion 180 of
the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22 adjacent the second motor
assembly 184. The first guide wheel 192 includes a circular channel
198 for locating the cable 190 in a center of the first guide wheel
192 as the cable 190 rolls on the first guide wheel 192.
[0025] The illustrated inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22 includes a
pair of braces 200 connecting the horizontal portion 180 of the
inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22 to the vertical portion 182 of
the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22. A second guide wheel 202 is
connected to a pivot pin 204 extending between the braces 200. The
second guide wheel 202 allows the cable 190 to change from a
horizontal position along a bottom of the horizontal portion 180 of
the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22 to a vertical positon along a
side of the vertical portion 182 of the inverted L-shaped wrapping
arm 22. A bottom end of the cable 190 is connected to the carriage
24, which runs vertically along a track of the vertical portion 182
of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22.
[0026] The illustrated carriage 24 includes a roll of the stretch
wrap 26 used to wrap the product 28. The carriage 24 preferably
prestretches the stretch wrap 26 in order to lengthen the stretch
wrap 26 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. During use,
a free end of the stretch wrap 26 extending from the carriage 24 is
positioned on the product 28. The inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22
then rotates about the product 28 with the carriage 24 moving up
and down along the vertical portion 182 of the inverted L-shaped
wrapping arm 22 by being pulled upward by the cable 190 (via the
second motor assembly 184) and by being allowed to lower through
the force of gravity to a selected position by the cable 190 (via
the second motor assembly 184). The carriage 24 is allowed to move
to a position slightly above the floor 30 to be able to position
the stretch wrap 26 about the bottom of the product 28 and a
portion of the pallet 32, if desired. Because of the weight of the
movable base 12, the carriage 24 and the inverted L-shaped wrapping
arm 22 never need to touch the floor 30 to be able to wrap the
bottom of the product 28 and a portion of the pallet 32.
[0027] In the illustrated example, the portable stretch wrapping
machine 10 is configured to have positioning sensors to allow an
operator of the portable stretch wrapping machine 10 to positon the
portable stretch wrapping machine 10 adjacent the product 28 and
the pallet 32 to allow for the carriage 24 to rotate about the
product 28 and the pallet 32 at a position slightly above the floor
30. Therefore, the pallet 32 and the product 28 must be centrally
located about the wrapping axle 166. The sensors include a pair of
first sensors 250 connected to outer sides of the vertically
extending posts 134 of the post assembly 18. As illustrated in FIG.
7, the first sensors 250 sense a distance of the product 28 from
the first sensors 250 along line 252. It is contemplated that the
first sensors 250 could be any sensor that can sense the distance
of the product 28 from the first sensors 250 (e.g., ultrasonic
sensors). It is contemplated that the grip 118 of the handle 110
could include a panel 244 (see FIG. 10) that includes a first pair
of lights 256 and a second pair of lights 258. The first pair of
lights 256 can include a green light 260 that is illuminated when
the left first sensor 250 senses that the product 28 is in the
proper position for wrapping and a red light 262 that is
illuminated when the left first sensor 250 senses that the product
28 is not in the proper position. The second pair of lights 258 can
include a green light 264 that is illuminated when the right first
sensor 250 senses that the product 28 is in the proper position for
wrapping and a red light 266 that is illuminated when the right
first sensor 250 senses that the product 28 is not in the proper
position.
[0028] The illustrated positioning sensors can also include a pair
of second sensors 270 that ensure that the product 28 and the
pallet 32 are located between the side legs 52. The pair of second
sensors 270 are located on top of the angled beams 56 of the under
frame 36 of the movable base 12. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the
second sensors 270 sense sides of the product 28 along line 272. It
is contemplated that the second sensors 270 could be any sensor
that can sense the product 28 (e.g., ultrasonic sensors). The panel
254 (see FIG. 10) can include a third pair of lights 276 and a
fourth pair of lights 278. The third pair of lights 276 can include
a green light 280 that is illuminated when the left second sensor
270 does not sense the product 28 (i.e., that the carriage 24 can
pass by the left side of the product 28) and a red light 282 that
is illuminated when the left second sensor 270 senses the product
28 (such that the carriage 24 would run into the product 28 if
there was an attempt to wrap the product 28). The fourth pair of
lights 278 can include a green light 290 that is illuminated when
the right second sensor 270 does not sense the product 28 (i.e.,
that the carriage 24 can pass by the right side of the product) and
a red light 292 that is illuminated when the right second sensor
270 senses the product 28 (such that the carriage 24 would run into
the product 28 if there was an attempt to wrap the product 28).
[0029] Once all of the green lights are illuminates, a button or
switch can be activated to start the wrapping process by revolving
the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm 22 about the product 24 and
moving the carriage 24 up and down.
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates the portable stretch wrapping machine 10
in a folded position to allow the portable stretch wrapping machine
10 to be moved through locations with small clearances (e.g., into
trailers of semi-trucks). In the folded position, the folding
assembly 138, and thereby the cantilevered arm 20, the inverted
L-shaped wrapping arm 22 and the carriage 24, are folded about the
hinges 142. The post assembly 18 can have a lock member 1000
extending between each post 134 and pillar 140 to keep the portable
stretch wrapping machine 10 in the unfolded position until the lock
member 1000 is disengaged, thereby allowing the portable stretch
wrapping machine 10 to move to the unfolded position. It is
contemplated that the wiring extending through the post assembly
18, the cantilevered arm 20 and the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm
22 to power the first motor assembly 156 and the second motor
assembly 184 could be located within tubing 300 to protect the
wiring as the portable stretch wrapping machine 10 is moved between
the folded position and the upright position.
[0031] The above description is considered that of the one
embodiment only. Modification of the invention will occur to those
skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention.
Therefore, it is understood that the embodiment shown in the
drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes
and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
* * * * *