Wrapping machine with wrapping-zone indicator
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wrapping machine that includes an indicating device including one or more light sources configured to project a visible wrapping-zone indicator. The wrapping-zone indicator includes a boundary at least partially surrounding a wrapping zone of the wrapping machine to indicate the wrapping zone.
1 . A wrapping machine comprising:
a wrapping-material carriage configured to support a roll of wrapping material;
an actuator operably connected to the wrapping-material carriage and configured to move the wrapping-material carriage along a path, wherein the path defines a wrapping zone; and
an indicating device configured to project a visible loading-zone indicator including a loading-zone boundary at least partially surrounding a loading zone of the wrapping machine, wherein the loading zone is an area in which a load is positioned to be wrapped by the wrapping machine.
2 . The wrapping machine of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to control the indicating device to project the loading-zone indicator.
3 . The wrapping machine of claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to control the indicating device to project the loading-zone indicator before controlling the actuator to begin moving the wrapping-material carriage along the path.
4 . The wrapping machine of claim 1 , wherein the indicating device is further configured to project a visible wrapping-zone indicator including a wrapping-zone boundary at least partially surrounding the wrapping zone.
5 . The wrapping machine of claim 4 , further comprising a controller configured to control the indicating device to project the wrapping-zone indicator while controlling the actuator to move the wrapping-material carriage along the path.
6 . The wrapping machine of claim 4 , wherein the loading zone is within the wrapping zone.
7 . The wrapping machine of claim 6 , wherein the wrapping-zone boundary is substantially circular and the loading-zone boundary is substantially rectangular.
8 . The wrapping machine of claim 1 , wherein the indicating device comprises one or more light sources.
9 . A method of operating a wrapping machine, the method comprising:
projecting, onto a support surface, a visible loading-zone indicator including a loading-zone boundary at least partially surrounding a loading zone of the wrapping machine;
after a load has been positioned in the loading zone, moving a wrapping-material carriage along a path around the load, the path defining a wrapping zone; and
while moving the wrapping-material carriage along the path, applying wrapping material from a roll of wrapping material on the wrapping-material carriage to the load.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising projecting the loading-zone indicator onto the support surface before moving the wrapping-material carriage along the path.
11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising projecting, onto the support surface, a visible wrapping-zone indicator including a wrapping-zone boundary at least partially surrounding the wrapping zone.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising projecting the wrapping-zone indicator while moving the wrapping-material carriage along the path.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising projecting the loading-zone indicator onto the support surface before moving the wrapping-material carriage along the path.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising stopping the projection of the loading-zone indicator and starting the projection of the wrapping-zone indicator responsive to receipt of an operator input to begin a wrapping process.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the loading zone is within the wrapping zone.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the wrapping-zone boundary is substantially circular and the loading-zone boundary is substantially rectangular.
17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising projecting the loading-zone and wrapping-zone indicators via one or more light sources.