Wrapping of spherical objects having small protrusions

A process for wrapping a spherical object having small protrusions distributed over its surface in thin aluminum foil, comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing aluminum foil over a forming device including an annulus and a plurality of resilient blades each fixed at one end to the annulus, the resilient blades having free ends which converge below the annulus;
• (b) depositing the object to be wrapped on the aluminum foil;
• (c) pushing the object and the aluminum foil through the annulus and between the free ends of the resilient blades to cause adherence of the aluminum foil to the leading surface of the object and to partially wrap the object by affecting a first moulding of the aluminum foil around the trailing surface of the object;
• (d) expelling the partially wrapped object through the converging blades, thereby first causing the blades to open out resiliently and thereafter to close due to the passage of the object through the converging free ends, to affect a second moulding of the aluminum foil around the trailing surface of the object and to form a rear, tail-like projection constituted by that part of the aluminum foil not adhering to the object;
• (e) transferring the expelled object to a hemispherical cavity of a first half-mould;
• and
• (f) squashing the rear projection of aluminum foil against the object by contacting the rear projection with a hemispherical cavity of a second half-mould.