Wrapping apparatus and method

Claim 1

Apparatus for completely covering a cylindrical object having a longitudinal axis, a curved peripheral surface and spaced end surfaces with a web of wrapping material comprising, in combination: turntable means adapted for rotation in a generally horizontal plane; rotatable drive roll means on the turntable means and adapted to drivingly engage the curved peripheral surface of the cylindrical object; idler roll means on the turntable and spaced from the drive roll means to form a cradle therebetween within which a cylindrical object to be wrapped is carried; means pivotally supporting the idler roll for movement between a lowered first position and a raised second position; means for supplying a web of wrapping material to an end surface of the cylindrical object; means for simultaneously rotating the turntable means and the drive roll means to rotate the cylindrical object in a horizontal plane while simultaneously rotating it about its longitudinal axis and thereby cover the curved peripheral surface and the end surfaces of the cylindrical object with a series of spirally-wound overlapping rows of wrapping material; means to pivot the idler roll to its raised second position to eject a wrapped cylindrical object from the apparatus the means for simultaneously rotating the turntable and the drive roll means including a reversible motor arranged to rotate the turntable means and the drive roll means when rotating in a first direction and arranged to drive the means to pivot said idler roll to its raised second position when rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction.