Premark Feg L.l.c.

Hobart Corporation

Premark Fef L.l.c.

Michael A Whitby

Philip Anthony Ratermann

Lee E Trouteaud

Kinred Bowling

Joseph M Gaccetta

A method for conveying a package to a wrap station of a package wrapping machine involves the steps of providing a conveying system for moving the package to the wrap station, the conveying system being selectively adjustable for varying a lateral position of a package; sensing a lateral position of the package as it travels along the conveying system; comparing the sensed lateral position of the package with a desired lateral position of the package; and based upon the comparison, adjusting the conveying system to place the package in the desired lateral position.

Package wrapping machine with automatic package positioning prior to wrapping

The invention provides an improved package wrapping machine which produces a wrapped product having a good seal and a favorable appearance for packages of varying sizes and shapes. More particularly, these improvements are obtained by utilizing a novel film gripper having sections that are separately disengageable to release tension on lateral sections of the film web during the wrapping of smaller than average packages, thereby preventing unwanted stretching of the film so as to promote a good seal for the packaged goods and avoid the formation of unsightly film tails. Also in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a novel package pusher is utilized to convey the package to be wrapped from a package infeed location to a registration position on the package wrapping elevator.

Package wrapping method and machine

A label applying apparatus is formed by a wand assembly including a first portion having a vacuum opening for connection to a vacuum source, and a second portion movable relative to the first portion along an axis of the wand assembly to define at least a non-extended position and an extended position. A biasing member may be provided for urging the wand assembly into the non-extended position, the second portion including a label pick-up opening at an end thereof. Application of a vacuum to the vacuum opening of the first portion causes the wand assembly to be placed in the extended position and termination of the vacuum causes the wand assembly to return to the non-extended position.

Vacuum actuated label applying wand

An elevator-type package wrapping machine which determines as by premeasurement the length of packages fed at a first level thereto, comprises a film gripper for initially drawing a fixed length of stretch film horizontally from a supply roll to a fixed stop position in the machine. While the film is held by the film gripper, a package which has one edge thereof at a predetermined distance from the fixed stop position is elevated to a second level above the level of the gripper into the film such that the package draws a first addition to the length of film drawn by the gripper, according to the height of the package. A vertically-moving horizontal bar is moved into contact with the film remote from the fixed stop position to pull a second additional length of film from the film source in accordance with the measured package length, if required. A film cutter is provided for severing the film from its source while the film is stationary, following which, film side and rear underfolders fold the lateral edges of the film and the rear edge of the film extending from the film source under the package. The underfolders and horizontal bar are operated independent mechanisms, enabling separate timing of each. The package is then pushed essentially horizontally in an outfeed direction, at which time the gripper releases the film and allows the released portion to be underfolded beneath the package as it is pushed. The package is then passed over a heated belt to seal the overlapping edges of the film beneath the package.

An article conveyor and package aligner comprises a pair of guide members converging from an infeed station to an outfeed station, a conveyor for moving articles toward the outfeed station, and a pair of levers, one connected to each guide member, below the conveyor. The levers are cantilevered, each carrying a latching pin or roller and a notch cooperating with a similar pin and roller and notch on the other lever. The levers lie closely adjacent and cross each other so as to comprise an escapement mechanism which is in either an 'at rest' condition, a locked condition or a released condition, depending on the position of a package traveling along the conveyor and the relation of that package to one or both of the guide members. A package contacting one guide member causes locking of the escapement mechanism and thereby of the guide member which is so contacted, forcing the package laterally until it contacts the other guide member. At the time it contacts the second guide member, the package has been properly aligned with the machine to which it is being fed. The second contact releases the escapement mechanism, thereby freeing both guide members and permitting unencumbered passage of the package toward the outfeed station.

Aligning device for conveyed articles

A collapsible elevator for a package elevating wrapping machine comprises a base member, a package supporting member and a pair of spring-biased rods. The rods resiliently engage the package supporting member to maintain it in a package elevating position relative to the base member, yet permit it to be resettably collapsed relative to the base member upon exertion of a defined force on the package supporting member. The package supporting member comprises a top plate and two downwardly extending spaced supports which have notches in their lower ends for receiving the spring-biased rods. The supports define surfaces which taper inwardly toward the top plate to facilitate resetting the elevator. An electrical switch is coupled to the base member and a switch actuating rod is coupled to the package supporting member and adapted to activate the electrical switch upon collapse of the elevator. The package elevating wrapping machine is shutdown upon a signaled elevator collapse to substantially reduce the possibility of damaging the machine by the jam condition which caused the collapse of the elevator.

Growing community of inventors

West Milton, OH, United States of America

Michael A Whitby