Film Tension Apparatus And Supply Roll Support For Stretch Wrapping Machines
AssigneeLantech.com, LLC
InventorsThomas E. Phillips, Daniel R. Hendren, Robert D. Janes, Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Curtis W. Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A film dispenser for stretch wrapping machines includes at least one roller and a first brake engageable with a braking surface the one roller. The first brake may include a flat brake pad that is pivotally movable for engagement with the braking surface, and is adjustable between a first configuration engaged with the braking surface and applying a first braking force, and a second configuration disengaged from the braking surface or only minimally engaged with the braking surface such that any braking force applied is substantially less than the first braking force.
Claims20
A film dispenser for stretch wrapping machines, comprising:
- at least one roller, the roller having a longitudinal axis and a circumferential film engaging surface;
- a braking surface extending circumferentially around the roller relative to the circumferential film engaging surface;
- and
- an electrically-actuated first brake engageable with either a portion of a sector of the braking surface or a portion of an area defined by an arc along the braking surface of the at least one roller, the first brake selectively adjustable between a first configuration engaged with the braking surface and applying a first braking force to the braking surface, and a second configuration wherein the first brake is disengaged from the braking surface or is only minimally engaged such that any braking force applied is substantially less than the first braking force.
A film dispenser for stretch wrapping machines, comprising:
- at least one roller, the roller having a circumferential film engaging surface and a circumferential braking surface;
- a brake arm pivotally movable about a pivot axis spaced from the roller;
- a brake pad supported on the brake arm for pivotal movement with the brake arm about the pivot axis into engagement with the braking surface along a substantially radial direction of the roller;
- and
- an actuator operatively engaging the brake arm at a location spaced from the pivot axis and the brake pad, whereby braking force applied by the brake pad when the actuator is actuated is increased by leverage of the brake arm about the pivot axis.
A method of dispensing stretch wrap material to a load, the method comprising:
- feeding film from a supply roll;
- engaging the film from the supply roll with at least one roller;
- selectively engaging the roller with a first brake;
- and
- engaging the roller with a second brake.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.