Package wrapping machine

A stretch film package wrapping machine for wrapping package components in a plurality of self-adhering film layers comprising in combination:

• a. A frame means;
• b. A power driven rotary turret plate mounted on said frame means for rotation about a horizontal axis;
• c. A loading and wrapping station including cantilevered article clamping means mounted on said turret plate for clamping and holding components during wrapping, wherein said clamping means includes first fixed and second movable clamp members having horizontal axes and clamp actuating means for effecting controlled relative movement of said clamp members toward each other to clamp package components positioned between said clamp members and for moving said clamp members to a position of maximum spacing to permit the insertion of said package components;
• d. A control means for actuating said clamping means, rotating said turret plate more than one revolution to thereby wrap said package components, and for controlling all other required machine functions;
• e. A means controlled by said control means for positioning a first loose portion of said web of stretch film at a first position in close proximity to said movable clamp member and in the path of said package components to be wrapped when inserted into the wrapping station between said clamp means, whereby said package components carry said loose portion of said film under said movable clamp member during insertion so that upon movement of said movable clamp member, said film is clamped between said movable member and the package components;
• f. A means for moving said means for positioning a loose portion of said web after said clamping means is actuated to a second position which is away from said clamping means a sufficient distance that will permit said rotary member to rotate without hitting said means for positioning of said web during the wrapping of said packages and which provides separation of the last layer of said wrapped film from the wrapped package for severing of said web on completion of the wrapping operation;
• g. A stretch film web feeding, tensioning and supply means mounted on said frame means for providing a web of film extending to said clamping means and package components held by said clamping means so that a plurality of rotations of said turret plate and said clamping means about said horizontal axis effects the wrapping of said clamping means and said package components;
• h. A film cut-off means for severing the web of stretch film from the multi-layer wrapped package following the wrapping of the package and said clamp means;
• and
• i. A package ejecting means for ejecting said multi-layer wrapped package from said clamping means at the completion of a cycle of operation.