Apparatus and method for conveying, weighing and roll wrapping articles

Claim 1

An apparatus for transporting and wrapping articles which comprises: conveyor means for transporting articles to a wrapping apparatus, said apparatus including: (a) a frame; (b) a platform rotatably mounted on said frame and means for rotating said platform about a substantailly vertical axis; (c) at least two elongated support rollers mounted in spaced relation on said rotatable platform for rotation about substantially horizontal axes extending therethrough; (d) a supply of web-type wrapping material mounted on said frame, said wrapping material supply being postioned and adapted for dispensing and wrapping about an article supported on said horizontally rotatable rollers as said platform rotates about a vertical axis; (e) means for selectively moving said supply of wrapping material in an upward and downward direction so as to selectively vary the vertical height at which said wrapping material is dispensed from said wrapping material supply; (f) means for rotatably driving at least one of said substantially horizontal rollers in either of two directions of rotation such that an article to be wrapped rotates about a substantially horizontal axis when said driven support roller is rotated in a first direction and said rotating article engages said other horizontal support roller and thereby rotates said other support roller in the same direction as said first driven roller; (g) means for selectively varying the spacing between said horizontal rotatable support rollers by substantially equal and opposite movements respectively toward or away from each other to maintain said article in substantially the same location with respect to said frame and thereby providing capability to support articles of numerous sizes and weights; and (h) weighing means positioned between said rotatable platform and said frame for generating a signal which corresponds to the weight of an article while said article is on said support rollers positioned on said frame so as to thereby provide the weight of the article.

Claim 2

An apparatus for transporting and wrapping articles which comprises: conveyor means for transporting articles to a wrapping apparatus, said apparatus including: (a) a frame; (b) a platform rotatably mounted on said frame and means for rotating said platform about a substantailly vertical axis; (c) at least two elongated support rollers mounted in spaced relation on said rotatable platform for rotation about substantially horizontal axes extending therethrough; (d) a supply of web-type wrapping material mounted on said frame, said wrapping material supply being postioned and adapted for dispensing and wrapping about an article supported on said horizontally rotatable rollers as said platform rotates about a vertical axis; (e) means for selectively moving said supply of wrapping material in an upward and downward direction so as to selectively vary the vertical height at which said wrapping material is dispensed from said wrapping material supply; (f) means for rotatably driving at least one of said substantially horizontal rollers in either of two directions of rotation such that an article to be wrapped rotates about a substantially horizontal axis when said driven support roller is rotated in a first direction and said rotating article engages said other horizontal support roller and thereby rotates said other support roller in the same direction as said first driven roller; (g) means for selectively varying the spacing between said horizontal rotatable support rollers by substantially equal and opposite movements respectively toward or away from each other to maintain said article in substantially the same location with respect to said frame and thereby providing capability to support articles of numerous sizes and weights; and (h) weighing means positioned between said rotatable platform and said frame for generating a signal which corresponds to the weight of an article while said article is on said support rollers positioned on said frame so as to thereby provide the weight of the article.

Claim 27

A method for roll wrapping articles or the like which comprises: (a) transporting articles to be wrapped upon conveyor means to a wrapping station; and (b) wrapping said aritcles at said wrapping station by: i. supporting an article on at least two support rollers, at least one of said support rollers being rotatably driven, the other support roller being supported for rotation about a horizontal axis; ii. selectively varying the spacing between said support rollers by substantially equal and opposite movements respectively toward or away from each other to support said article while maintaining said article in substantially the same location with respect to said support rollers; iii. supporting said support rollers on a rotatable platform, selectively driven by motor and drive means connected thereto; iv. providing a supply of web-type wrapping material positioned for dispensing and wrapping about the article; v. rotating said platform and said article support rollers and the artilce about a substantially vertical axis; vi. selectively rotating said driven support roller so as to rotate the article about a substantially horizontal axis, and said other support roller therewith; vii. selectively moving said supply of wrapping material in upward or downward directions so as to selectively vary the vertical height at which said wrapping material is dispensed from said wrapping material supply; vii wrapping the web type material around the article so as to provide a criss-cross wrapped pattern of wrapping material about said article; and viii. imultaneously weighing said article while said article is on said support rollers, by weighing means comprising load cells and circuitry located on, and connected to, said platform means to facilitate wrapping and weighing in a single operation.

Claim 28

A method for roll wrapping articles or the like which comprises: (a) transporting articles to be wrapped upon conveyor means to a wrapping station; and (b) wrapping said aritcles at said wrapping station by: i. supporting an article on at least two support rollers, at least one of said support rollers being rotatably driven, the other support roller being supported for rotation about a horizontal axis; ii. selectively varying the spacing between said support rollers by substantially equal and opposite movements respectively toward or away from each other to support said article while maintaining said article in substantially the same location with respect to said support rollers; iii. supporting said support rollers on a rotatable platform, selectively driven by motor and drive means connected thereto; iv. providing a supply of web-type wrapping material positioned for dispensing and wrapping about the article; v. rotating said platform and said article support rollers and the artilce about a substantially vertical axis; vi. selectively rotating said driven support roller so as to rotate the article about a substantially horizontal axis, and said other support roller therewith; vii. selectively moving said supply of wrapping material in upward or downward directions so as to selectively vary the vertical height at which said wrapping material is dispensed from said wrapping material supply; vii wrapping the web type material around the article so as to provide a criss-cross wrapped pattern of wrapping material about said article; and viii. imultaneously weighing said article while said article is on said support rollers, by weighing means comprising load cells and circuitry located on, and connected to, said platform means to facilitate wrapping and weighing in a single operation.