Demand Based Wrapping
AssigneeLantech.com, LLC
InventorsPatrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, SR., Richard L. Johnson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.
Claims20
An apparatus for wrapping a load, comprising:
- a packaging material dispenser including a dispensing drive configured to drive the packaging material dispenser to dispense packaging material,
- a relative rotation assembly configured to provide relative rotation between the packaging material dispenser and the load,
- a first sensor assembly that senses a characteristic indicative of instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load by measuring at least one of:
- a first distance from a rotational axis of a packaging material dispenser or from a rotational axis of a rotating turntable for rotating the load to a point on a surface of the load,
- a second distance from a point to a plane defined by a surface of a length of packaging material that extends between the packaging material dispenser and the load, or
- a speed of packaging material dispensed by the packaging material dispenser at a location between the packaging material dispenser and the load, and
- a controller that controls operation of the dispensing drive based at least in part on the sensed characteristic.
A method for wrapping a load, comprising:
- driving a packaging material dispenser to dispense packaging material with a dispensing drive,
- providing relative rotation between the packaging material dispenser and the load,
- measuring a characteristic indicative of instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load by sensing at least one of:
- a first distance from a rotational axis of the material dispenser or from a rotational axis of a rotating turntable for rotating the load to a point on a surface of the load,
- a second distance from a point to a plane defined by a surface of a length of packaging material that extends between the packaging material dispenser and the load, or
- a speed of packaging material dispensed by the packaging material dispenser at a location between the packaging material dispenser and the load, and
- controlling operation of the dispensing drive based at least in part on the sensed characteristic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.