Stretch winder with knotting assembly including expandable guide roller

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stretch winder having an expandable guide roller configured to engage a portion of a film and cause it to be manipulated into a reinforced cord configuration.

Description

priority

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 507,333, filed June 9, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a stretch wrapping machine, and more specifically to a stretch wrapping machine including a knotting assembly with an expandable guide roller configured to manipulate the film into a rope-like shape with reduced width to secure cargo loading to a pallet. Background Technology

[0003] Several types of stretch wrapping machines use stretch film to secure cargo loads to pallets. These stretch wrapping machines include a film roll holder configured to support a removable stretch film roll. The machine is configured to rotate the film roll holder relative to the load while simultaneously moving it vertically relative to the load to wrap the load in a spiral pattern with stretch film removed from the roll.

[0004] When loading a pallet, it is advantageous to wrap the membrane around the base of the load and the top portion of the pallet supporting the load to secure the load to the pallet. It is also advantageous to manipulate the membrane at its bottom region before applying it to the base of the load and the top portion of the pallet. This manipulation of the membrane is often referred to as knotting. This manipulation creates a reinforced area of ​​the membrane that is more resistant to damage (such as damage from sharp areas of the pallet). Summary of the Invention

[0005] Various embodiments of this disclosure provide a stretch wrapping machine including a knotting assembly with an expandable guide roller configured to manipulate the film to include a width-reduced reinforcing rope morphology prior to applying the film to the base of a load and the top portion of a tray to secure the load to the tray. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a stretch winding machine, which is an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A block diagram of some components of a stretch winding machine.

[0008] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the film support of the winding assembly of a stretch winding machine A, showing its knotting assembly with expandable guide rollers in a retracted configuration.

[0009] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A perspective view of the membrane support shows the expandable guide roller in an expanded configuration.

[0010] Figure 4A and Figure 4B yes Figure 3A The top view of the membrane support shows the expandable guide rollers in the retracted and expanded configurations, respectively.

[0011] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is an enlarged perspective view of the expandable guide rollers removed from the membrane support and in retracted and expanded configurations, respectively.

[0012] Figure 6A and Figure 6B It is a top schematic view of the load on the tray and the expandable guide rollers that guide the film toward the load on the tray, which are removed from the film holder and are in retracted and expanded configurations, respectively.

[0013] Figure 7A and Figure 7B It is a side view of the load on the tray and the expandable guide rollers that guide the film toward the load on the tray, which are removed from the film holder and are in retracted and expanded configurations, respectively. Detailed Implementation

[0014] While the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein can be implemented in various forms, the accompanying drawings and description illustrate certain exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Not all components shown in the drawings and described in the description may be necessary, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components. The arrangement and type of components; the shape, size, and material of components; and the manner in which components are connected may vary without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims. Unless otherwise stated, any orientation mentioned in the description reflects the orientation of the corresponding component shown in the drawings and does not limit the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, terms relating to installation methods such as mounting and connecting are not intended to be limited to direct installation methods but should be interpreted broadly to include indirect and operatively mounted, connected, etc. This specification is intended to be considered as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of this disclosure and as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0015] Figures 1 to 7B Some parts of a stretch wrapping machine 1 (sometimes referred to herein as a "wrapping machine" for brevity) according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. The wrapping machine 1 includes a wrapping machine frame 10, a circular guide 20, a guide actuator 30, a wrapping assembly 40, a cutting-fixing device (not shown), an operator interface 50, and a controller 60.

[0016] The winding machine frame 10 is formed of a plurality of tubular and / or solid components (not separately indicated) and is configured to support other components of the winding machine 1. The winding machine frame 10 defines a winding area within itself and has a feed area 10a and a discharge area 10b, in which palletized loads (e.g., loads L on pallet P) (e.g., via conveyor C) are conveyed into the winding area for winding, and in the discharge area, the palletized loads are conveyed out of the winding area (e.g., via conveyor C) after winding.

[0017] The circular guide 20 serves as a mounting element for the winding assembly 40 and is movably mounted to the winding machine frame 10 (e.g., to one or more vertical members of the winding machine frame 10) such that the circular guide 20 can move vertically relative to the winding machine frame 10 between an upper position and a lower position.

[0018] A guide actuator 30 is operatively connected to a circular guide 20 to move the circular guide 20 relative to the winding machine frame 10 between an upper position and a lower position. The guide actuator 30 includes one or more motors (not shown) operatively connected to the circular guide 20 via one or more belt-pulley assemblies (not shown) to move the circular guide 20 between the upper and lower positions. Alternatively, the guide actuator may include one or more pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders (not shown) operatively connected to the circular guide 20 to move the circular guide 20 between the upper and lower positions. The guide actuator 30 is operable under the control of a controller 60.

[0019] The winding assembly 40 is movably mounted to the circular guide 20, such that the winding assembly 40 is rotatable relative to the circular guide 20. The winding assembly 40 includes an annular support (not shown), a membrane holder 100, a knotting assembly 200 supported by the membrane holder 100, and a winding assembly actuator 45.

[0020] The annular support serves as a mounting element for the membrane support 100 and is movably mounted to the circular guide 20, such that the support (along with the support and other components connected to the support) can rotate relative to the circular guide 20. The support is movably mounted to the circular guide 20 via a plurality of spaced rollers (not shown), which are connected to the support and positioned on tracks (not shown) on the circular guide 20.

[0021] The membrane carrier 100 is fixedly connected to the support member to move together with the support member (i.e., rotates relative to the circular guide 20 and moves vertically relative to the winding machine frame 10). The membrane roll carrier 100 is configured to rotatably support the membrane roll (e.g., ...). Figure 4A and Figure 4B The plastic stretch membrane roll R shown is included. The membrane support 100 includes a membrane support frame 105 and spaced-apart membrane roll supports 110a and 110b connected to the frame 105. The membrane supports 110a and 110b are configured to removably hold the membrane roll R.

[0022] The membrane support 100 supports the knot assembly 200 in a manner that allows the knot assembly 200 to engage the membrane. The knot assembly 200 is configured to guide the membrane pulled from the membrane roll R to a first position around the load (e.g., Figure 7A (as shown), and then guided to the second position, such that the bottom portion of the membrane is at a height below the top portion of the tray P supporting the load L (e.g., Figure 7B (As shown). This allows the membrane to be wrapped around the base of the load L and the top of the pallet P to better secure the load L to the pallet P, thereby reducing the likelihood of the load L shifting on the pallet P during transport. The knotting assembly 200 is also configured to form a rope-like structure (referred to herein as a "rope form") of a portion of the membrane located below the top of the pallet, which is then wrapped around the pallet P. The rope form is a portion of the membrane that can be concentrated in a compacted manner, such as a tightly compacted manner.

[0023] The membrane holder 100 also includes various components (not labeled) that guide (and stretch) the membrane from the membrane roll R to the expandable guide roller 210 and are connected to and supported by the membrane holder frame 105. For the sake of brevity, these components are not described herein. The membrane F is pulled out from the roll R and guided and passes through these components of the membrane holder 100 in direction D. As used herein, "downstream" refers to the direction of travel of the membrane F as it is pulled out from the membrane roll R, while "upstream" refers to the opposite direction of travel of the membrane F as it is pulled out from the membrane roll R.

[0024] The knot assembly 200 includes an expandable guide roller 210, a support member 215, a base 220, and a guide roller actuator 230.

[0025] The base 220 is rotatably mounted on a bottom support member (not labeled) of the membrane support frame 105. A support member 215 (extending vertically in this embodiment) is fixedly connected to and supported by the base 220, and is therefore configured to rotate freely together with the base 220. The support member 215 extends upward from the base 220. The top of the support member 215 may also be connected to an upper support member (not labeled) of the membrane support frame 105.

[0026] An expandable guide roller 210 is connected to a support member 215 such that the expandable guide roller 210 is configured to rotate freely together with the support member 215 and the base 220. The expandable guide roller 210 includes a plurality of elongated upright guides 250a to 250l that can extend and retract radially outward. The amount of these guides may vary according to this disclosure. Each guide 250a to 250l is pivotally connected to the support member 215 at its respective bottom section (e.g., via a hinge assembly (not shown)) such that each of the guides 250a to 250l can be radially (i.e., inward and outward) from a retracted position (e.g., Figure 3A , Figure 4A , Figure 5A , Figure 6A and Figure 7A Pivot to the extended position (as shown) Figure 3B , Figure 4B , Figure 5B , Figure 6B and Figure 7B (As shown). The size, shape, and other properties of each of the guides 250a to 250l are configured such that when the guides 250a to 250l are in their retracted position, there is an upright extension space between each pair of corresponding adjacent guides 250a to 250l. The size, shape, and other properties of each of the guides 250a to 250l are also configured such that when the guides 250a to 250l are in their extended position, there is a greater upright extension space between each pair of corresponding adjacent guides 250a to 250l. In this example embodiment, each guide 250a to 250l is identical; therefore, for the sake of brevity, only guide 250a will be described in more detail herein.

[0027] The guide 250a includes an elongated outer member 252a and an elongated inner member 256a. The elongated outer member has an outer membrane engagement surface (not marked), and the elongated inner member is connected to and extends inwardly from the outer member 252a. The bottom section of the outer member 252a is pivotally connected to a support member 215 via a hinge assembly (not shown) in such a way that the guide 250a can be... Figure 3A , Figure 4A , Figure 5A , Figure 6A and Figure 7A The retraction position shown has been moved to... Figure 3B , Figure 4B , Figure 5B , Figure 6B and Figure 7BThe extended position is shown. An elongated internal member 256a defines an elongated slot 258a, which is configured to receive a connector, such as a pin (not shown) of a guide roller actuator 230, such that when the guide roller actuator 230 moves from its lower position to its upper position, the connector can slide from its lower position in the slot 258a to its upper position in the slot 258a, as discussed below.

[0028] Guide roller actuator 230 is rotatable with guide roller 210 and configured to rotate with support member 215. This guide roller actuator is movable along support member 215 (vertically, in this case) and is controlled by controller 60. Guide roller actuator 230 includes a plurality of connectors (not shown) positioned in corresponding elongated slots of guides 250a to 250l such that: (1) when guide roller actuator 230 moves upward to a position adjacent to the top of support member 215, the connectors pull guides 250a to 250l inward to their respective retracted positions; and (2) when guide roller actuator 230 moves downward to a position adjacent to the bottom of support member 215, the connectors push guides 250a to 250l outward to their respective extended positions. According to this disclosure, the mechanisms for moving guides 250a to 250l inward to their respective retracted positions and outward to their respective extended positions can be varied.

[0029] When the guides 250a to 250l are in their respective retracted positions, they are configured to guide the membrane F onto the load L without changing the width of the membrane F, such as Figure 6A and Figure 7A As shown in the best example.

[0030] When the guides 250a to 250l are in their respective extended positions, they are configured to guide the membrane F in a manner that shortens the width of the membrane F, and specifically, to manipulate the bottom portion of the membrane into a rope shape, such as... Figure 6B and Figure 7BAs best shown. In the extended position, guides 250a to 250l fold the bottom portion of membrane F (e.g., 2 to 3 inches of the bottom portion) over itself to create a rope-like shape at the bottom of membrane F. Specifically, in the extended position, guides 250a to 250l cause the lower outer edge of the membrane to move inward and toward the center of the membrane, resulting in a shorter width of membrane, and causing the lower portion of the membrane to wrap around itself to create a reinforcing area of ​​the membrane (e.g., a rope-like shape). Guides 250a to 250l in the extended position can also position the lower portion of the membrane manipulated into a rope-like shape below the load L and above the tray P. More specifically, expanding guides 250a to 250l generates a force on membrane F that causes membrane F to slide downward relative to the guides, and this force causes the bottom edge of membrane F to knot as it wraps around itself. The rope-like shape is partly created by the bottom edge of the downward-moving membrane F being blocked by the base 220, thus the rope-like shape is formed against the base 220. In various embodiments, the base 220 may have a curved or multi-curved shape to assist this. Guides 250a to 250l are configured to engage the membrane F with relatively low friction to induce this sliding effect. If the friction is too high and a sliding effect may not be present, only the top edge of the membrane F can be manipulated. The guides and the base may additionally include a low-friction non-stick coating to achieve this low-friction functionality.

[0031] Operator interface 50 is configured to receive input from an operator and, in some embodiments, to output information to the operator. The operator interface includes one or more input devices configured to receive input from the operator. In various embodiments, the one or more input devices include one or more buttons (such as hard keys or soft keys), one or more switches, and / or a touch panel. In various embodiments, operator interface 50 includes a display device configured to display information to the operator, such as information about pallet loading, the status of the winding operation, or parameters of the stretch wrapping machine 1. The operator interface may include other output devices, such as one or more speakers and / or one or more lights, instead of or attached to the display device. In some embodiments, operator interface 50 is formed as part of the stretch wrapping machine 1 and, for example, mounted to the stretch wrapping machine frame 10. In other embodiments, the operator interface is located away from the stretch wrapping machine 1.

[0032] The controller 60 includes a processing device communicatively connected to a memory device. The processing device may include any suitable processing device, such as, but not limited to, a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, one or more microprocessors, one or more microprocessors associated with a digital signal processor core, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more integrated circuits, and / or state machines. The memory device may include any suitable memory device, such as, but not limited to, read-only memory, random access memory, one or more digital registers, cache memory, one or more semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media, magneto-optical media, and / or optical media such as integrated hard disks and / or removable memory. The memory device stores instructions executable by the processing device to control the operation of the winding machine 1 (e.g., performing winding operations, as described below).

[0033] The controller 60 is communicatively connected to actuators 30, 45, and 230 to control the operation of these components in conjunction with winding operations. The controller 60 is communicatively connected to the operator interface 50 to: (1) receive signals from the operator interface 50 representing inputs received by the operator interface 50; and (2) send signals to the operator interface 50 to cause the operator interface 50 to output (e.g., display) information.

[0034] The winding operation is now described, wherein the winding machine 1 is used to wind the load L to secure the load L to the pallet P.

[0035] Initially, the circular guide 20 is in its upper position, the cutting-fixing device holds the front end of the film F onto the roll R, and the expandable guide roller 210 of the knot assembly 200 is in a retracted configuration (as shown in the image). Figure 3A , Figure 4A , Figure 5A , Figure 6A and Figure 7A (As shown). Controller 60 controls conveyor C to move the load L on pallet P through feed area 10a and into the winding area of ​​winding machine 1.

[0036] After the load L on tray P reaches the winding area, controller 60 controls guide actuator 30 to lower circular guide 20, such that winding component 40 is at least partially vertically aligned with a portion of the load L. Controller 60 controls cut-and-hold device to hold the leading edge of film F onto the load L, while simultaneously controlling winding assembly actuator 45 to rotate winding assembly 40 relative to circular guide 20 and load L. The rotation of winding assembly 40 relative to load L, combined with the cut-and-hold device holding the leading edge of film F onto load L, causes film F to be pulled out from roll R, guided through components of film carrier 100, guided by expandable guide roller 210 in a retracted configuration, and wound onto load L.

[0037] Once the membrane F has been wound onto the front end, the controller 60 controls the cutting-fixing device to release the front end and remove it from the load L. The controller 60 continues to control the winding assembly actuator 45 to rotate the winding assembly 40, while simultaneously controlling the guide actuator 30 to move the circular guide 20 vertically, so that the membrane F is wound around the load L in a spiral pattern. During winding, the controller 60 also controls the feed rate and pre-stretch of the membrane F. Figure 6A and Figure 7A This stage of the winding operation is shown, during which the membrane F is wound around the load L at its full width.

[0038] Near the end of the winding operation (at least in this example embodiment), controller 60 controls the winding machine 1 to apply a rope shape to the load L and tray P. Controller 60 controls guide roller actuator 230 to move downwards to its lower position, causing guides 250a to 250l to pivot radially outwards to their respective extended positions. As guides 250a to 250l move to their respective extended positions, they contact the film F and guide the film at different angles, thus manipulating the film F into the rope shape as described above, and engaging the bottom rope shape of the film F with the tray P below the load L. This allows the winding machine 1 to partially use the rope-shaped film to secure the load L to the tray P (without needing to lift the load L and tray P above the conveyor C).

[0039] Subsequently, controller 60 controls guide roller actuator 230 to move guides 250a to 250l radially inward to their respective retracted positions, allowing film F to return to its full-width form. Controller 60 controls the cut-and-fix device to cut film F from the roll and fix the tail end of film F to load L, thus completing the winding operation. Controller 60 controls conveyor C to move the wound load L and tray P from the winding area and through the discharge area 10b.

Claims

1. A stretch wrapping machine, comprising: a frame defining a wrapping area; and a wrapping assembly positioned at least partially within the wrapping area and comprising: a carriage; an expandable guide roller; and a guide actuator coupled to the expandable guide roller and configured to move the guide roller from a retracted configuration to an expanded configuration, wherein in the expanded configuration the guide roller is configured to engage a bottom portion of a film and cause it to be manipulated into a rope configuration. The expandable guide roller comprises a plurality of guides each configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position.

2. The stretch wrapper of claim 1 wherein, The expandable guide roller comprises a plurality of guides each configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position simultaneously.

3. The stretch wrapper of claim 1 wherein, The wrapping assembly comprises a base connected to the carriage, a support member rotatably connected to the base, and wherein the guide actuator is movable relative to the support member.

4. The stretch wrapper of claim 3 wherein, The guides are pivotally connected to the support member.

5. The stretch wrapper of claim 4 wherein, Each of the guides pivots relative to the support member in a radial direction from the retracted position to the extended position.

6. The stretch wrapper of claim 4 wherein, The guide actuator is slidably connected to each of the guides.

7. The stretch wrapper of claim 5 wherein, Each guide comprises an elongated outer member having an outer film engagement surface and an elongated inner member connected to and extending inwardly from the outer member.

8. The stretch wrapper of claim 7 wherein, The elongated inner member of each guide comprises an elongated slot configured to receive one of a plurality of connectors of the guide roller actuator.

9. The stretch wrapper of claim 8 wherein, The guide roller actuator is movable to a position adjacent a top of the support member in which the guide roller actuator causes the guides to be in their respective retracted positions and to a position adjacent a bottom of the support member in which the guide roller actuator causes the guides to be in their respective extended positions.

10. The stretch wrapper of claim 9 wherein, The guide roller is freely rotatable.

11. The stretch wrapper of claim 1 wherein, The guide roller actuator is freely rotatable.

12. The stretch wrapper of claim 11 wherein, The guide roller and the guide roller actuator are freely rotatable together.

13. The stretch wrapper of claim 12 wherein, The guide roller actuator is freely rotatable.

14. The stretch wrapper of claim 1 wherein, The wrapping assembly is configured to cause the rope configuration of the film to engage a tray below a top portion of the tray in the wrapping area.

15. The stretch wrapper of claim 1 wherein, ​

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