Package wrapping method and apparatus

Abstract

A semi-automatic gift or package wrapping method and apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a machine frame that provides a work surface with measuring and wrapping sections. A sheet feed and cutting mechanism feeds paper from a role in two steps with a time pause in between for enabling a user or operator to partially wrap the package with part of the first section of dispensed paper web. Thereafter, the second section of paper web is dispensed and the web cut transversely at a trailing edge. Multiple selectable supply rolls are optionally provided, or a single roll machine can be used. Longitudinal cutters trim the sides of the paper to obtain a custom desired width for the full cut sheet. A user interface display controls machine functions such as start, continue and sheeter. In the sheeter mode, a selected number of sheets of a selected size can be dispensed and cut for use at another workstation to warp other boxes of known uniform size (i.e. shirt boxes at a department store).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 256,468, filed Sep. 27, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,397, and incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”[0003] Not applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for wrapping articles such as boxes and more particularly to an improved method and apparatus for semi-automatically wrapping boxes of differing or random sizes in sequence, wherein the box to be wrapped is automatically measured, its dimensions optionally displayed on a user interface screen, and wherein a first section of a full sheet of paper web is dispensed from a supply roll for enabling an operator to partially wrap the box that was previously measured, followed by a further dispensing of the sheet of paper web ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026] This two step dispensing of the paper web enables an operator to manually wrap a portion of the box, placing the cut sheet leading edge at a seam. This seam can easily be matched with the trailing edge of the wrapping paper when the second section of wrapping paper has been dispensed and then cut transversely. In so doing the package is encircled and wrapped with the cut sheet to cover the box top, bottom, front and rear. The operator then finishes the wrap by hand folding the end folds (i.e. sides of the paper web) inwardly to cover the box or package ends.

[0038] The present invention enables a package to be wrapped that is very heavy, limited only by the maximum package weight that can be handled safely by the operator.

Problems solved by technology

They are usually suited to a particular purpose, and have their limitations when attempts are made to apply them to other purposes.

The machine works well in the supermarket for wrapping butchered meat, but would not do an adequate job of wrapping articles of random size, such as gifts in boxes.

If it is attempted to meet the requirement by using precut sheets which are large enough to accommodate the largest box, difficulty will be encountered in presenting a neat appearance in the wrapped package for boxes which are smaller than the maximum size.

It is labor intensive, sometimes incapable of keeping up with peak demands, and oftentimes subject to variable quality of finished product.

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