US 5,628,167 AGranted

Method and apparatus for wrapping elongate load having generally circular or generally annular ends

AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.

InventorsGale W. Huson, Werner K. Diehl

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Abstract

An apparatus is useful for wrapping a wrapping film over an elongate load, which has a generally cylindrical exterior and two generally circular or generally annular ends. Two blocker rollers cradle the load with its axis extending horizontally and are arranged for rotating the load about the load axis. A dispenser mounts a roll of the wrapping film with its axis extending vertically. The dispenser is mounted on a rotatable arm, which is rotatable about a vertical axis. A carriage is provided for mounting the dispenser and for carrying the dispenser and the roll back and forth along the cradled load. Thus, the roll is moved along an oblong path, whereby the film pulled from the roll is wrapped over the near side of the load, one end of the load, the far side of the load, and the other end of the load, as the load is rotated. The roll remains at an elevation above a central portion of the load so as to permit the central portion to remain unwrapped.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of wrapping an elongate load, having a longitudinal axis, with wrapping film, comprising the steps of:

supporting an elongate load having a longitudinal axis, oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides, and oppositely disposed transversely extending ends;
mounting a carriage at a position adjacent to one of said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides of said elongate load such that said carriage is able to undergo reciprocating movement along said one of said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides of said elongate load;
mounting a roll of wrapping film upon a support arm;
mounting said support arm upon said carriage such that said support arm is pivotable with respect to said carriage whereby said roll of wrapping film can be disposed adjacent to either one of said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides and either one of said oppositely disposed transversely extending ends of said elongate load so as to be able to wrap said wrapping film about said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides and said oppositely disposed transversely extending ends of said elongate load;
and
reciprocating said carriage while pivoting said support arm with respect to said carriage at predetermined times so as to permit said roll of wrapping film to traverse an oblong path about said elongate load comprising movement along each one of said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides and along each one of said oppositely disposed transversely extending ends of said elongate load so as to wrap said wrapping film about said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides and said oppositely disposed transversely extending ends of said elongate load.

3 more elements

Apparatus for wrapping an elongate load, having a longitudinal axis, with wrapping film, comprising:

means for supporting an elongate load having a longitudinal axis, oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides, and oppositely disposed transversely extending ends;
carriage means mounted adjacent to said supporting means and one of said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides of said elongate load for undergoing reciprocating movement along said one of said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides of said elongate load;
a roll of wrapping film;
a support arm, having said roll of wrapping film mounted thereon, pivotally mounted upon said carriage means such that said roll of wrapping film can be disposed adjacent to either one of said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides and either one of said oppositely disposed transversely extending ends of said elongate load so as to wrap said wrapping film about said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides and said oppositely disposed transversely extending ends of said elongate load;
and
means for reciprocating said carriage means, and pivoting said support arm with respect to said carriage means at predetermined times, so as to permit said roll of wrapping film to traverse an oblong path about said elongate load comprising movement along each one of said oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sides and along each one of said oppositely disposed transversely extending ends.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.