Stretch wrap machine with top corner film transfer
View Patent ↗A stretch wrap machine for wrapping a product comprising a base, a turn table on the base for rotating the product, a source of stretch wrap connected to the base, and a wrapping assembly configured to bring an end of the stretch wrap above the product, cut the stretch wrap at a position above the product after the product has been wrapped and/or hold an end of the stretch wrap at a position above the product as the turntable begins rotating the product.
1. A wrapping machine for wrapping a product comprising:
a base;
a turntable on the base for rotating the product, the turntable having an axis of rotation;
a source of wrapping material connected to the base, the source of wrapping material supplying wrapping material to the product; and
an apparatus configured to cut the wrapping material at a position above the product during wrapping of the product or after the product has been wrapped such that a cutting line parallel to the axis of rotation of the turntable extends through the wrapping material and the product when the apparatus cuts the wrapping material.
2. The wrapping machine of claim 1 , wherein:
the apparatus is configured to hold a portion of the wrapping material at a position above the product as the turntable begins rotating the product such that a holding line parallel to the axis of rotation of the turntable extends through the portion of the wrapping material and the product when the apparatus holds the portion of the wrapping material as the turntable begins rotating the product.
3. The wrapping machine of claim 1 , wherein:
the base includes a column extending upwardly therefrom, the column supporting the source of wrapping material.
4. The wrapping machine of claim 3 , wherein:
the base includes a carriage connected to the column and configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
5. The wrapping machine of claim 4 , wherein:
a motor moves the carriage vertically on the column.
6. The wrapping machine of claim 4 , wherein:
the carriage includes a prestretcher for stretching the wrapping material before the wrapping material is supplied to the product.
7. The wrapping machine of claim 3 , wherein:
the base includes a motor for turning the turntable.
8. The wrapping machine of claim 3 , wherein:
the apparatus includes a blade for cutting the wrap; and
an actuator for moving the blade.
9. The wrapping machine of claim 3 , wherein:
the apparatus is connected to the column and is configured to move vertically thereon.
10. The wrapping machine of claim 9 , wherein:
the base includes a carriage connected to the column configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
11. The wrapping machine of claim 10 , wherein:
the apparatus is separate from, but configured to ride on, the carriage as the carriage moves vertically on the column.
12. The wrapping machine of claim 1 , wherein:
the apparatus includes a gripping assembly gripping a portion of the wrapping material during initiation of wrapping of the product;
both the apparatus and the source of wrapping material are configured to move vertically; and
the apparatus is configured to move vertically with the source of wrapping material.
13. The wrapping machine of claim 1 , wherein:
the apparatus is vertically movable above the product.
14. A wrapping machine for wrapping a product comprising:
a base;
a turntable on the base for rotating the product about a first vertical axis;
a source of wrapping material connected to the base, the source of wrapping material supplying wrapping material to the product, the source of wrapping material having a second vertical axis of rotation; and
an apparatus configured to hold a portion of the wrapping material at a position above the product as the turntable begins rotating the product such that a holding line parallel to the first vertical axis extends through the portion of the wrapping material held by the apparatus and the product when the turntable begins rotating the product.
15. The wrapping machine of claim 14 , wherein:
the apparatus is configured to cut the wrapping material at a position above the product after the product has been wrapped such that a cutting line parallel to the first vertical axis extends through the portion of the wrapping material and the product when the apparatus cuts the wrapping material.
16. The wrapping machine of claim 15 , wherein:
the portion comprises a trailing end of the wrapping material.
17. The wrapping machine of claim 14 , wherein:
the portion comprises a leading end of the wrapping material.
18. The wrapping machine of claim 17 , wherein:
the portion further comprises a trailing end of the wrapping material.
19. The wrapping machine of claim 14 , wherein:
the base includes a column extending upwardly therefrom, the column supporting the source of wrapping material.
20. The wrapping machine of claim 19 , wherein:
the base includes a carriage connected to the column and configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
21. The wrapping machine of claim 20 , wherein:
a motor moves the carriage vertically on the column.
22. The wrapping machine of claim 20 , wherein:
the carriage includes a prestretcher for stretching the wrapping material before the wrapping material is supplied to the product.
23. The wrapping machine of claim 19 , wherein:
the base includes a motor for turning the turntable.
24. The wrapping machine of claim 19 , wherein:
the apparatus is connected to the column and is configured to move vertically thereon.
25. The wrapping machine of claim 24 , wherein:
the base includes a carriage connected to the column configured to move vertically on the column, the carriage having the source of wrapping material thereon.
26. The wrapping machine of claim 25 , wherein:
the apparatus is separate from, but configured to ride on the carriage as the carriage moves vertically on the column.
27. The wrapping machine of claim 14 , wherein:
the apparatus includes a gripping assembly gripping a portion of the wrapping material during initiation of wrapping of the product;
both the apparatus and the source of wrapping material are configured to move vertically; and
the apparatus is configured to move vertically with the source of wrapping material.
28. The wrapping machine of claim 14 , wherein:
the apparatus is vertically movable above the product.