Packaging Method And Apparatus

Packaging apparatus for helically wrapping articles comprising a wrapping material applicator, a first conveyor for transporting unwrapped articles towards said applicator and a second conveyor for transporting articles that have been helically wrapped with flexible sheet material by the applicator, the first and second conveyors being spaced apart, the wrapping material applicator being disposed between said first and second conveyors and which serves, in use, to pass the wrapping material between the spaced apart first and second conveyors so as to wrap an article disposed in the space between the conveyors, at least one reel shaft for supporting a reel of wrapping material mounted on the applicator, and at least one idler roller adjacent to the reel shaft for guiding the wrapping material as it is unwound from the reel, wherein there is provided endless loop elongate flexible transmission element around reel shaft and idler roller that ensure that the roller and shaft rotate at substantially the same angular velocity.

A method for packaging articles using a wrapping material applicator that is disposed between first and second conveyors, comprising the steps of conveying articles to be wrapped towards the applicator, the applicator having a rotary member that supports at least one reel of wrapping material and a plurality of tensioning rollers, rotating the rotary member of the applicator and supporting the rotation on a guide member, the wrapping material being drawn from the reel by the articles as the rotary member rotates, using the relative rotation of the rotary member and the guide member to drive rotation of tensioning rollers so as to apply a stretch to the wrapping material before it contacts the articles.

Wrapping apparatus for helically wrapping an elongate flexible web or material around an article, the apparatus comprising a wrapping material applicator, a first conveyor for transporting unwrapped articles towards said applicator and a second conveyor for transporting articles that have been helically wrapped with the material by the applicator, the first and second conveyors being spaced apart, the wrapping material applicator being disposed between said first and second conveyors and which serves, in use, to pass the wrapping material between the spaced apart first and second conveyors so as to wind it around and wrap an article disposed in the space between the conveyors, the applicator comprising a rotary member and a fixed guide member, the rotary member being rotatable relative to and supported in rotation by the guide member, at least one reel shaft for supporting a reel of wrapping material mounted on the rotary member, a plurality of rotary tension rollers supported on the rotary member and for applying tension to the wrapping material, a drive member for driving the rotary member in rotation relative to the guide member, and a transmission device between the rotary member and the guide member for converting the relative movement of the rotary member and guide member into rotation of the tension rollers.

Wrapping apparatus for helically wrapping an elongate flexible web of material around an article comprising a wrapping material applicator, a first conveyor for transporting unwrapped articles towards said applicator and a second conveyor for transporting articles that have been helically wrapped with the material by the applicator, the first and second conveyors being spaced apart, the wrapping material applicator being disposed between said first and second conveyors and which serves, in use, to pass the wrapping material between the spaced apart first and second conveyors so as to wrap an article disposed in the space between the conveyors, at least one reel shaft for supporting a reel of wrapping material mounted on the applicator, and at least one idler roller adjacent to the reel shaft for guiding the wrapping material as it is unwound from the reel, wherein there is provided endless loop elongate flexible transmission element around reel shaft and idler roller that ensure that the roller and shaft rotate at substantially the same angular velocity.