초록 ▼

A log packaging apparatus for packaging logs using a turret or a shuttle. The turret or shuttle can be used in conjunction with a wrap conveyor. The turret system can include a rotatable turret with at least one clamp movable into different positions in the apparatus, a log station at which logs are

A log packaging apparatus for packaging logs using a turret or a shuttle. The turret or shuttle can be used in conjunction with a wrap conveyor. The turret system can include a rotatable turret with at least one clamp movable into different positions in the apparatus, a log station at which logs are received, and a log ejector for ejecting logs from the log station into clamps of the turret. Logs can be ejected from the log station, through wrap material, and into the turret clamps. In other embodiments, a wrap conveyor inserts wrap material between a shuttle and a log station at which logs are received. Logs in such embodiments can pass from the log station to the shuttle through the wrap material.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A log wrapping apparatus for wrapping logs in wrap material, the log wrapping apparatus comprising:a first station in which logs are received; a shuttle in which logs are received from the first station, the shuttle movable along a path in forward and reverse directions toward and away from the f

1. A log wrapping apparatus for wrapping logs in wrap material, the log wrapping apparatus comprising:a first station in which logs are received; a shuttle in which logs are received from the first station, the shuttle movable along a path in forward and reverse directions toward and away from the first station; a wrap conveyor movable to convey wrap material from a first position to a second position between the first station and the shuttle; a log conveyor movable to convey a log from the first station to the shuttle, the log conveyor movable to eject the log from the first station into the wrap material and toward the shuttle and an adhesive applicator positioned to apply adhesive to at least one of the log and the wrap material in the shuttle. 2. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a wrap material staging location, wherein the wrap conveyor is movable between a wrap conveyor first position adjacent the wrap material staging location and a wrap conveyor second position in which the wrap material is located between the shuttle and the first station.3. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a wrap material source, wherein the wrap conveyor is movable between a wrap conveyor first position adjacent the wrap material source and a wrap conveyor second position in which the wrap material is located between the shuttle and the first station.4. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a wrap conveyor track along which the wrap conveyor is movable between the first and second positions.5. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wrap conveyor includes a beam movable between the first and second positions to move the wrap material to a position between the first station and the shuttle.6. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wrap conveyor includes at least one gripper movable to draw the wrap material into position between the shuttle and the first station.7. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a log compressor at the first station, the log conveyor movable to move logs from the log compressor toward the shuttle and through the wrap material.8. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the log conveyor includes at least one conveyor belt movable to convey logs toward the shuttle.9. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the log conveyor includes an actuator positioned to push logs from the first station toward the shuttle.10. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the log conveyor includes at least one roller rotatable to convey logs toward the shuttle.11. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shuttle includes at least one guide positioned to receive logs from the first station, the at least one guide movable to convey logs within the shuttle.12. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive applicator at least partially defines a log sealing station of the shuttle.13. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shuttle includes at least one tucker movable to wrap a log in wrap material in the shuttle.14. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a track along which the shuttle is movable toward and away from the first station.15. A log packaging apparatus for packaging a log within wrap material, the apparatus comprising:a log compression station positioned to receive the log and in which the log is compressed; a shuttle translatable from a first position in which a first clearance exists between the shuttle and the log compression station and a second position in which a second clearance exists between the shuttle and the log compression station, the first clearance being greater than the second clearance; a wrap conveyor movable to convey wrap material to a position between the log compression station and the shuttle; a log conveyor positioned to move the log from the log compression station into the wrap material and the shuttle; and a sealing station to which the log is moveable, the sealing station having at least one adhesive applicator positioned to apply adhesive to at least one of the log and the wrap material. 16. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a wrap material staging location, wherein the wrap conveyor is movable between a wrap conveyor first position adjacent the wrap material staging location and a wrap conveyor second position in which the wrap material is located between the shuttle and the log compression station.17. The log wrapping apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a wrap material source, wherein the wrap conveyor is movable between a wrap conveyor first position adjacent the wrap material source and a wrap conveyor second position in which the wrap material is located between the shuttle and the log compression station.18. The log packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a wrap conveyor track along with the wrap conveyor is movable to convey wrap material to the position between the log compressor and the shuttle.19. The log packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wrap conveyor includes at least one roller past which the wrap material moves to the position between the log compressor and the shuttle.20. The log packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the wrap conveyor includes at least conveyor belt.21. The log packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wrap conveyor includes at least one gripper movable to grip and retain the wrap material as the wrap material is moved to the position between the shuttle and the log compression station.22. The log packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the log conveyor includes at least one actuator actuatable to push the log from the log compression station toward the shuttle.23. The log packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the log conveyor includes at least one conveyor belt defining a part of the log compression station.24. The log packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the log conveyor includes at least one roller defining a part of the log compression station, the at least one roller rotatable to move the log from the log compression station to the shuttle.25. The log packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the adhesive applicator is coupled to the shuttle and the sealing station is defined at least in part by the shuttle.26. The log packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising at least one tucker positioned to wrap a portion of the wrap material about the log in the shuttle.27. A method of wrapping logs of product, comprising:providing a first log station at which logs of product are received and a shuttle movable with respect to the first log station; conveying a quantity of wrap material into a gap between the first log station and the shuttle; extending the shuttle toward the first log station; moving the log from the first log station into the quantity of wrap material; passing the log to the shuttle; moving the log with respect to the wrap material to at least partially wrap the log in the wrap material; retracting the shuttle with the log and the wrap material to the second position; and compressing the log at the first log station prior to moving the log from the first log station into the quantity of wrap material. 28. The method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising folding a portion of the wrap material around the log with a tucker coupled to the shuttle.29. The method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising applying adhesive to at least one of the log and the wrap material while the log is in the shuttle.30. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising:wrapping the wrap material at least partially about the log with a tucker positioned adjacent to the log; and sealing the wrap material around the log. 31. The method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising moving the log and the wrap material within the shuttle after passing the log to the shuttle.32. The method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising maintaining compression upon the log as the log is passed to the shuttle.33. A method for wrapping logs of product, comprising:compressing a log in a log compression station separated a distance from a shuttle adapted to receive the log; moving a wrap conveyor to convey wrap material to a first position between the compression station and the shuttle; moving the log in the log compression station toward the shuttle; extending the shuttle toward the log compression station; transferring the log through the wrap material to the shuttle; and retracting the shuttle from the log compression station. 34. The method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising folding a portion of the wrap material around the log with a tucker mounted adjacent to the log in the shuttle.35. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the shuttle has at least one product guide, the method further comprising drawing the log into the shuttle with the at least one product guide.36. The method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising:applying adhesive to at least one of the wrap material and the log in the shuttle; actuating a tucker adjacent to the log in the shuttle to at least partially form the wrap material around the log; and sealing the wrap material around the log. 37. The method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising maintaining compression upon the log as the log is transferred through the wrap material to the shuttle.