Apparatus for gripping and dividing film used for wrapping a palettised load

A method for holding and dividing film (1) of width (L) used to wrap palettised groups of products in machines comprising a platform (2) that rotates about its vertical axis (Z) and that supports on its surface (P) a group of products to be wrapped with the film (1) to form a wrapped stack (3) by rotating the platform (2);

• the film (1) being unwound from a reel (4), that rotates about its vertical axis (Z′), and that is supported by a frame located near the platform (2) and designed to move the reel (4) up and down in such a way as to completely wrap the stack (3) in height;
• the method comprising the following steps:
• gripping a portion of film (1) of width (L1) positioned between the stack (3) and the reel (4);
• tearing the film (1) close to the gripping area, said tearing step comprising rotating the platform (2) to tension the film (1) between the gripped portion and the stack (3);
• and
• positioning the gripped portion close to the edge of the platform (2).

A wrapping apparatus comprising:

• a platform that rotates about a vertical axis and that supports on its surface an associated group of products to be wrapped with a film;
• a platform for rotatably supporting a reel of film adjacent said platform;
• a unit, non-rotatable with said platform, for gripping and tearing wrapping film, said unit having a main gripper, wherein the said main gripper is movable:
• (i) from a first position located outside a periphery of the platform;
• (ii) to a second position in which the main gripper is adapted to hold and tear film;
• and, (iii) to a third position where the main gripper projects over the platform and is adapted to hold a free end of film adjacent said platform;
• a secondary gripper attached to the platform for engaging and removing from said main gripper a free end of film held by said main gripper when said main gripper is located in said third position projecting over said platform.