Wrapping machine

Claim 2

A machine for wrapping and heat sealing packages comprising: a framework, means mounted on said framework for rotatably supporting a plurality of rolls of thermoplastic wrapping material, a platform above said framework on which packages are wrapped, an adjustable carriage slidably mounted under said platform for movement in a plane substantially parallel to said platform, means included within said carriage for separately holding the free ends of the material from each of said rolls, means for isolating the different pieces of said wrapping material from each other as they unwind from said rolls, a heated sealing plate mounted on said framework adjacent to said platform and an electrically heated wire between said platform and said heated sealing plate for cutting said wrapping material.

Claim 3

A machine for wrapping and heat sealing packages comprising: a framework, a platform for supporting a package to be wrapped mounted on and above said framework, means on said framework and disposed below said platform for rotatably supporting a plurality of rolls of thermoplastic wrapping material, a carriage slidably mounted on said framework for movement in a plane generally parallel to said platform, said carriage including individual gripping means to grip and yieldably support the individual free ends of the wrapping material from said rolls, a heated sealing plate mounted on said framework adjacent said platform and spaced therefrom to thereby provide an opening for the passage of the wrapping material, the movement of the carriage serving to present a selected free end of a given roll of said wrapping material at said opening, and a heated material severing means.

Claim 4

A machine for wrapping and heat sealing packages comprising: a framework, a platform for supporting a package to be wrapped mounted on and above said framework, means on said framework and disposed below said platform for rotatably supporting a plurality of rolls of thermoplastic wrapping material, a carriage slidably mounted on said framework for movement in a plane generally parallel to said platform, said carriage including individual gripping means to grip and yieldably support the individual free ends of the wrapping material from said rolls, a heated sealing plate mounted on said framework adjacent said platform and spaced therefrom to thereby provide an opening for the passage of the wrapping material, the movement of the carriage serving to present a selected free end of a given roll of said wrapping material at said opening, and a heated material severing means.

Claim 5

A machine for wrapping and heat sealing packaGes of claim 2 wherein said means for separately holding the ends of said wrapping material comprises a bearing means, flippers which are supported by and rotate about said bearing means an elongated generally rigid abutment means spaced from said bearing means, said flippers being in yieldable engagement with the said abutment means so that when said thermoplastic wrapping material is drawn between the abutment and said flipper said flipper may pivot and permit the wrapping material to pass through.

Claim 6

The machine of claim 2 further characterized in that it includes means for isolating the different pieces of said thermoplastic material from each other as they unwind from said rolls.

Claim 7

The machine for wrapping and heat sealing packages of claim 4 wherein said means for isolating different pieces of said thermoplastic wrapping material from each other comprise sheets of canvas which are suspended from shafts on said film selector.

Claim 8

The machine for wrapping and heat sealing packages of claim 5 wherein said heated sealing plate is contained in a TEFLON wrapping.

Claim 9

A machine for wrapping and heat sealing packages of claim 6 wherein rollers, which are connected to said framework, are provided to assure the distribution of said thermoplastic wrapping material to the proper position.

Claim 10

The machine for wrapping and heat sealing packages of claim 7 wherein said means for supporting said rolls of thermoplastic wrapping materials are bars supported within indentations in blocks, said blocks having connecting means which may vary the pressure on said bars supporting said rolls.

Claim 11

In a wrapping station having a wrapping position means supporting at fixed axial positions a plurality of rotatable supply rolls of plastic film of different widths or other different characteristics; and a slidably mounted selector mechanism for presenting selected ones of said film to the wrapping position in any sequence as desired, said selector mechanism comprising: a plurality of squeeze assemblies for squeezing and holding a plurality of ends of film at spaced apart positions, there being a different squeeze assembly for each different end of film to be presented to the wrapping position; common support means for supporting said plurality of squeeze assemblies near the forward end of the wrapping position; and lever means secured to said common support means for moving said squeeze assemblies as a unit to carry the end of a selected on of said films to the wrapping position and to carry the end of a nonselected film away from the wrapping position while maintaining said supply rolls at their respective fixed axial positions.

Claim 12

In a wrapping station having a wrapping position means supporting at fixed axial positions a plurality of rotatable supply rolls of plastic film of different widths or other different characteristics; and a slidably mounted selector mechanism for presenting selected ones of said film to the wrapping position in any sequence as desired, said selector mechanism comprising: a plurality of squeeze assemblies for squeezing and holding a plurality of ends of film at spaced apart positions, there being a different squeeze assembly for each different end of film to be presented to the wrapping position; common support means for supporting said plurality of squeeze assemblies near the forward end of the wrapping position; and lever means secured to said common support means for moving said squeeze assemblies as a unit to carry the end of a selected on of said films to the wrapping position and to carry the end of a nonselected film away from the wrapping position while maintaining said supply rolls at their respective fixed axial positions.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further characterized in that each of said squeeze assemblies includes a support shelf over which the film is passed and a pressure roller mounted above said support shelf and adapted to press down on the film passing over said support shelf.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further characterized in that a pickup well is provided forward of said support shelf for receiving the end of the film.