Semi-automatic film cut/clamp device and method of operating the same

Abstract

A system and method for severing a portion of a wrapping film for facilitating the detachment and attachment of trailing and leading end portions of the wrapping film from and onto loads disposed at a wrapping station in conjunction with film wrapping operations being performed upon loads being wrapped at a wrapping station comprises an actuating arm movable between retracted and extended positions and upon which a fixed clamping member and a movable clamping member are mounted such that the movable clamping member can move toward and away from the fixed clamping member so as to define therewith CLOSED and OPENED positions. Upon termination of a wrapping operation, the actuating arm is moved from its retracted position to its extended position, the clamping members are moved to their CLOSED position so as to clamp a portion of the wrapping film therebetween, and a hot-wire cutter is energized so as to sever a portion of the clamped film. A trailing end portion of the wrapping film is thus released for self-adherence to the wrapped load, while a leading end portion of the wrapping film is maintained clamped between the clamping members in preparation for self-adherence to a new load to be wrapped. When wrapping of the new load is commenced, the movable clamping member is moved to its OPENED position such that the clamped leading end portion of the wrapping film is released for self-adherence to the new load to be wrapped, and the actuating arm is returned to its retracted position.