Stork Fabricators, Inc.

Texwrap Packaging Systems LLC

Brian R Stork

Todd Rio

Roger L Gassel

Keith E Witte

Tom Wilson

A selectively reconfigurable wrapping machine [A] for sequentially wrapping upright products. An infeed conveyor carries products to a wrapping station module where a tube of shrink-wrap material, pulled from rolled storage [B], is formed about the products by a film directing and tracking module generally designated [C] by use of a film plow [D]. Marginal edges of the shrink-wrap material are joined by a selectively configurable bottom seal module [E] which pulls the tube in to form a selectively positionable longitudinal bottom seal. A film sealing and cutting module [G] has opposed sealing heads [GL, GR] carried to face each other with fixed angular orientation such that the heads travel with products in the tube for a distance as it moves giving sealing dwell time for nonstop operation. A microprocessor-driven control system provides user setup controls.

High speed vertical film wrapping and sealing machine

A sealing apparatusfor sealing together two film portionsmay include a heating elementpositioned in relation to a pair of nip pressure devicesfor creating a sealbetween the two film portionsand trimming the two film portionsat the created seal. A controlleris connected to the heating elementand is for connection to a power source for applying a variable amount of power to the heating element. The amount of power varies based on at least a speed of the two film portionspassing the heating element

Film heat sealing and trim apparatus

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of automatic container orientation systems. Also disclosed are methods for automatically orienting containers. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for automatically orienting containers generally includes one or more cameras, a controller, and an orientation unit. The one or more cameras are configured to obtain data relating to an orientation of at least one container to be included in a package. The controller is in communication with the one or more cameras for receiving the data and is configured to use the data to determine an amount of rotation needed for the at least one container to orient the at least one container in a desired final orientation. The orientation unit is configured to rotate the at least one container by the determined amount of rotation to thereby orient the at least one container in the desired final orientation.

Automatic container orientation systems and methods

A heat sealing wheel assembly of a shrink wrap machine reduces thermoplastic film waste during the side cutting and sealing process. The relative diameters of the heat wheel and heating hub of the heat sealing wheel assembly are configured to create an annular region towards the outer circumference of the heat wheel. This creates a space to permit closer engagement of the gripping mechanism for grasping and guiding the edge of thermoplastic film next to the point of contact of the opposing heat wheel edges, and avoids the obstruction normally caused by the heating hub. The closer gripping engagement reduces the amount of film that must extend out from the point of sealing contact of the heat wheels, resulting in less waste during the side sealing process.

Apparatus for increased efficiency in cutting and sealing film edges

Selectively reconfigurable shrink-wrap machine () for use with a loading device () for individually wrapping products () sequentially with shrink-wrap material () as delivered in sequence to the machine. It includes a sensor () sensing product position on the loading device. Shrink-wrap material is delivered from a roll at a wrapping station (). A first conveyor () carries wrapped products between the wrapping station and a film sealing and cutting apparatus (). First conveyor delivers products sequentially in synchronized velocity with the loading device in response to sensor signals. Film sealing and cutting apparatus has upper and lower heads (), at least one of which is driven into and out of engagement with the other between adjacent wrapped products received by the first conveyor for effecting a sealed cut between them. Heads are each maintained at a fixed angle of orientation. A second conveyor () receives wrapped products sequentially from the sealing and cutting apparatus. A microprocessor-driven touch screen () and a method controls the shrink-wrap machine and is described.

Modular shrink-wrap machine

An improved film sealing and cutting apparatus ( ) for use with a shrink-wrap machine that individually wraps articles ( ) sequentially with shrink-wrap film material ( ) of different possible thickness and composition, especially thick, tough film which would be difficult to seal. The apparatus ( ) includes two pairs of selectively heated rollers ( ). Overlapping layers ( ) of film material wrapped around an article are passed between peripheral surfaces of each roller pair. The first roller pair forms a thermal conditioning pre-seal ( ) between opposing surfaces of the overlapping layers by application of heat and pressure along the peripheral surfaces of the first roller pair. The second roller pair then completes the seal and cuts through the opposing surfaces, leaving a margin between a cutting path formed by the peripheral surfaces of the second roller pair and the seal.

Multi-stage shrink-wrap sealing and cutting apparatus

Apparatus for supplying plastic wrapping film from a supply roll in which the film is folded to have a closed side edge and plies of the film open along an opposite side. The wrapping film is conveyed simultaneously with a stream of predetermined size product through a hot wheel to seal the open plies and form a tube enclosing the product, after which the tube and enclosed product is fed into a film sealing apparatus which cross seals and cuts the plastic tube transversely of its line of movement in a moving cycle in which the plastic tube is cut and sealed with the products individually wrapped and discharged. The film sealing apparatus is adjustable to be able to accommodate changes in the dimensions of products to be wrapped.

Growing community of inventors

Washington, MO, United States of America

Brian R Stork