초록 ▼

Apparatus and method for the automatic packaging of one or more articles. An adjustable web guide structure that guides the webs of film into a configuration that mimics the geometry of a package to be wrapped is provided. The webs are conveyed over the guide structure, which structure provides an a

Apparatus and method for the automatic packaging of one or more articles. An adjustable web guide structure that guides the webs of film into a configuration that mimics the geometry of a package to be wrapped is provided. The webs are conveyed over the guide structure, which structure provides an appropriate predetermined shape defining a web envelope for proper package entry and flow through the wrapping system. The position and geometry of the guides causes the web envelope to form around the corners of the product to be package to minimize film requirement, and allows for fluid transition from web supply rolls to package shape. External tension rods can be used to assist in preventing or minimizing web wrinkling. Guide rolls can be used in conjunction with the guide structure to assist in guiding and tracking the web material, as well as to provide axial transverse tension for proper web forming.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An automatic film wrapping machine for wrapping a product traveling through said machine, comprising: a supply of an upper web of film; a supply of a lower web of film spaced from said upper web of film; a film guide assembly for pre-forming said upper and lower webs of film

What is claimed is: 1. An automatic film wrapping machine for wrapping a product traveling through said machine, comprising: a supply of an upper web of film; a supply of a lower web of film spaced from said upper web of film; a film guide assembly for pre-forming said upper and lower webs of film into a web envelope having a predetermined configuration to receive said product, said film guide assembly comprising at least one upper guide member positioned to receive said upper web of film, and at least one lower guide member positioned to receive said lower web of film, wherein said at least one upper guide member and said at least one lower guide member are positioned inside said web envelope and such that the distance between said upper and lower webs of film in said web envelope is greater than the height of said product; and opposite side seal mechanisms for sealing together said upper and lower webs of film, and wherein said upper and lower guide members extend past said side seal mechanisms in the direction of product travel. 2. The automatic film wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein said film guide assembly comprises first and second spaced upper guide members and first and second spaced lower guide members. 3. The automatic film wrapping machine of claim 1, further comprising at least one guide roll assembly positioned in the path of at least one of said upper and lower web, said guide roll assembly comprising a first roll having a portion of reduced diameter and a second roll having a portion of increased diameter, said at least one of said upper and lower webs being sandwiched between said first and second rolls. 4. The automatic film wrapping machine of claim 3, wherein said at least one guide roll assembly is oriented such that said first and second rolls are positioned to rotate along an axis at an angle greater than zero with respect to the axis of travel of at least one of said upper or lower webs. 5. The automatic film wrapping machine of claim 1, further comprising at least one tension member positioned outside said web envelope. 6. A web guiding assembly for guiding two traveling webs about a package to be wrapped by said webs, said package having a geometry, said assembly comprising a plurality of spaced guide members positioned to intercept said traveling webs and cause said webs to form an envelope having a predetermined shape suitable for receiving and enveloping said package geometry, said guide members maintaining said envelope independently of the location of said package, and opposite side seal mechanisms for sealing together said two webs of film, and wherein said spaced guide members extend past said side seal mechanisms in the direction of product travel. 7. The web guiding assembly of claim 6, further comprising at least one guide roll assembly positioned in the path of at least one of said upper and lower web, said guide roll assembly comprising a first roll having a portion of reduced diameter and a second roll having a portion of increased diameter, said at least one of said upper and lower webs being sandwiched between said first and second rolls. 8. The web guiding assembly of claim 7, wherein said at least one guide roll assembly is oriented such that said first and second rolls are positioned to rotate along an axis at an angle greater than zero with respect to the axis of travel of at least one of said upper or lower webs. 9. A method of wrapping a product in a film, comprising: conveying said product along a predetermined path of travel in a predetermined direction; advancing an upper web of film in said direction adjacent said path of travel, said upper web having an upper web leading end, an upper web trailing end, a first upper web lateral side and a second upper web lateral side; advancing a lower web of film in said direction adjacent said path of travel and spaced from said upper web of film, said lower web having a lower web leading end, a lower web trailing end, a first lower web lateral side and a second lower web lateral side; providing side seal mechanisms; forming a web envelope in said path of travel by guiding said upper web of film about at least one upper guide member and by guiding said lower web of film about at least one lower guide member, said at least one upper guide member and said at least one lower guide member being positioned inside said web envelope and such that the distance between said upper and lower webs of film in said web envelope is greater than the height of said package; and wherein said upper and lower guide members extend past said side seal mechanisms; causing said package to travel into said envelope; sealing, within said web envelope, said first upper web lateral side to said first lower web lateral side and said second upper web lateral side to said second lower web lateral side; by use of the side seal mechanisms sealing said leading end of said upper web to said leading end of said lower web; and sealing said trailing end of said upper web to said trailing end of said lower web. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising heat shrinking said film wrapped about said product. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said envelope is maintained independently of the location of said product. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said envelope is maintained during said sealing of said lateral sides. 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising tensioning one of said upper and lower webs in a direction transverse to said path of travel. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising tensioning the other of said upper and lower webs in a direction transverse to said path of travel. 15. Apparatus for individually wrapping a plurality of products with a film, comprising: a conveyor defining a horizontal path for the movement of said products in a predetermined spaced relationship; a first supply of film for supplying an upper web of film along said path; a second supply of film for supplying a lower web of film along said path; a guide assembly comprising at least one upper guide member for intercepting said upper web and guiding and maintaining said upper web in a first predetermined position, and at least one lower guide member for intercepting said lower web and guiding and maintaining said lower web in a second predetermined position, whereby said first and second predetermined positions define a web envelope configured to receiving each of said products as they travel in said horizontal path, and said upper guide member and said lower guide member are positioned inside said web envelope and such that the distance between said upper and lower webs of film in said web envelope is greater than the height of each said product; and film sealing and cutting apparatus within said web envelope for sealing said upper and lower films about each of said products; wherein said sealing apparatus comprises a side seal mechanism, and wherein said upper and lower guide members extend past said side seal mechanism. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising at least one guide roll assembly comprising a first roll having a portion of reduced diameter and a second roll having a portion of increased diameter, said at least one of said upper and lower webs being sandwiched between said first and second rolls. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said first and second rolls are positioned at an angle greater than zero relative to said horizontal path.