Apparatus and method for wrapping rolled material on cylindrical objects

A method for wrapping rolled material on a cylindrical object, the method comprising:

• a) placing an apparatus on the cylindrical object, the apparatus comprising:
• i) a three-dimensional (“3D”) structural frame comprising upper and lower vertices, the 3D structural frame defining an opening disposed therein, the opening configured to receive the cylindrical object, the 3D structural frame further configured to hold a roll of the rolled material thereon,
• ii) a plurality of pivoting drive wheel assemblies, wherein a pivoting drive wheel assembly is disposed near each of the upper and lower vertices,
• iii) the 3D structural frame further comprising a clamping arm assembly configured to retain and engage the cylindrical object with the plurality of pivoting drive wheel assemblies,
• iv) a cutting and fastening assembly linearly coupled to the 3D structural frame, the cutting and fastening assembly configured to dispense the rolled material from the roll, to fasten the dispensed rolled material to the cylindrical object, and to cut the dispensed rolled material from the roll;
• b) closing the clamping arm assembly to retain and engage the cylindrical object with the plurality of pivoting drive wheel assemblies;
• c) loading the roll of rolled material onto the apparatus;
• d) rotating all of the plurality of pivoting drive wheel assemblies for axial movement along the cylindrical object;
• e) moving the apparatus along the cylindrical object to a predetermined position;
• f) rotating all of the plurality of pivoting drive wheel assemblies for circumferential movement around the cylindrical object;
• g) moving the cutting and fastening assembly towards the cylindrical object and dispensing a loose end of the rolled material from the roll towards the cylindrical object;
• h) fastening the loose end of the rolled material to the cylindrical object;
• i) moving the apparatus around the cylindrical object and dispensing the rolled material to wrap the cylindrical object a predetermined number of times with the rolled material;
• and
• j) simultaneously cutting the dispensed rolled material to produce a trailing loose end thereof and fastening the trailing loose end of the dispensed rolled material to the cylindrical object.