Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
i
a
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING AND CUTTING A FLEXLBLE
MATERIAL ~I11RAPPED AROUND A LOAD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for handling and
cutting a flexible material that is wrapped around a load.
BACKGROUND
In the industry, it is of common practice to use two types of load wrapping
machines, which are respectively defined as automatic and semi-automatic. In
the
case of automatic load wrapping machines, these can carry out a series of
cycle
start and end operations without the direct action of operators. In the case
of semi-
automatic load wrapping machines, operators are required in order to carry out
certain operations. As is known in the industry, semi-automatic load wrapping
machines are typically less expensive than the automatic machines, but have
the
drawback of being less efficient because of the operator's involvement.
The way a semi-automatic machine works can be defined by the following
steps:
a) an operator places a load to be wrapped on either a rotary or a fixed
platform;
b) the operator attaches a leading end of a film web to the load to be
2 0 wrapped;
c) the operator presses a start button on the machine so that a relative
rotation between the load and a film delivering device is carried out, and
waits until
the wrap cycle is completed;
d) the operator cuts the film web between the load being wrapped and the
film delivering device;
e) the operator removes the wrapped product from the platform.
To wrap the next load, the operator has to repeat all the above steps; which
is disadvantageous because of lack of efficiency and productivity for example.
There is therefore a need in the industry to convert semi-automatic load
30 wrapping machines into more efficient automatic load wrapping machines.
1
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
An object of the invention is to therefore provide an apparatus and a
method that satisfy the above-mentioned need and can thus be used to convert a
semi-automatic load wrapping machine into an automatic load wrapping machine.
Known in the art, there is U.S. Patent No. 6,164,047 {ROSSI) which
discloses a device and method for automatically cutting and re-attaching a
film for
wrapping a product. The product to be wrapped is first placed on a rotating
platform and is wrapped by means of a vertically moving reel that provides the
film. A rod provided with a roller on one of its end is pivoted between a
raised
inoperative position and a lowered operating position where a portion of the
film is
1 o reduced. A gripper and cutting unit is located on the rotating platform
and is used
for cutting the reduced portion of the film during rotation of the platform. A
cam
with a pin located near the platform is used to intercept the edge of the film
already
cut to re-attach the film to a new pack to be wrapped
Also known in the art, there are the following U.S. patents which describe
different apparatuses and methods for wrapping laads: 4,204,377 (LANCASTER);
4,300,326 (LANCASTER) 5,528,881 (LAPP(); 6,185,900 (MARTIN); 6,189,291
(MARTIN); 6,269,610 (LANCASTER) and U.S. patent application 2001/0015050
(LANCASTER).
A drawback with apparatus or methods of the prior art is that none of them
2o is concerned with an apparatus or methods for handling and cutting flexible
material wrapped around an article in a simple and efficient manner.
Another object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and
an apparatus for handling and cutting a flexible material wrapped around a
load in
a manner that is simpler and more efficient than those provided in prior art.
SUMMARY
According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for
handling and cutting a flexible material wrapped around a load by means of a
delivering device, comprising:
a) a clamp and cutter assembly having:
3 o i) a controllable clamp movable between open and closed positions,
the clamp having a trigger activated mechanism for moving the clamp
between its open and closed positions, and
2
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
t
1.
ii) a controllable cutter movable between open and closed positions,
the cutter having a trigger activated mechanism for moving the cutter
between its open and closed positions;
b) a trigger and roping assembly having:
i) a trigger for triggering the trigger activated mechanisms of the
controllable clamp and cutter, and
ii) a roper for roping a portion of the flexible material; and
c) a moving device connected to the trigger and roping assembly for moving
the trigger and roping assembly between a retracted position and an active
1o position where, as the trigger and roping assembly is moved into its active
position, the trigger engages with the trigger activated mechanisms to move
the
clamp and the cutter to their open position, and the roper engages with a
portion of
the flexible material extending from the load to the delivering device to turn
said
portion of flexible material into a rope, and, as the trigger and roping
assembly is
retracted from its active position, the trigger disengages with the trigger
activated
mechanisms to move the clamp and the cutter in their closed position, thereby
cutting the rope and holding a free end thereof extending from the delivering
device by means of the clamp.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
2 o apparatus for handling and cutting a flexible material wrapped around a
load by
means of a delivering device, comprising:
a) a clamp and cutter assembly having:
i) a controllable clamp movable between open and closed positions,
the clamp having a trigger activated mechanism for moving the clamp
between its open and closed positions, and
ii) a controllable cutter movable between open and closed positions,
the cutter having a trigger activated mechanism for moving the cutter
between its open and closed positions;
b) a trigger and roping assembly having:
3 o i) a trigger for triggering the trigger activated mechanisms of the
controllable clamp and cutter, and
ii) a roper for roping a portion of the flexible material; and
3
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
c) a moving device connected to the trigger and roping assembly for moving
the trigger and roping assembly between a retracted position and an active
position where, as the trigger and roping assembly is moved into its active
position, the trigger engages with the trigger activated mechanisms to move
the
clamp and the cutter to their open position, and the roper engages with a
portion of
the flexible material extending from the load to the delivering device to turn
said
portion of flexible material into a rope, and, as the trigger and roping
assembly is
retracted from its active position, the trigger disengages with the trigger
activated
mechanisms to move the clamp and the cutter in their closed position, thereby
cutting the rope and holding a free end thereof extending from the delivering
device by means of the clamp;
wherein the clamp has movable and fixed jaws and the cutter has movable
and fixed blades, the movable blade being adjacent and solid with the movable
jaw, the fixed jaw being adjacent to the fixed blade, and wherein the moving
device comprises a frame, a first arm having a first end pivotally connected
to the
frame, a second arm having a first end knuckle jointed to a second end of the
first
arm and a second end for carrying the trigger and roping assembly, and a motor
for moving the first and second arms between active and retracted positions.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method for handling and cutting a flexible material wrapped around a load by
means of a delivering device, comprising the steps of:
a) moving a trigger and roping assembly from a retracted position to an
active position;
b) engaging a trigger of the trigger and roping assembly with a trigger
activated means of a clamp and cutter assembly as the trigger and roping
assembly is moved into its active position;
c) moving the clamp and the cutter assembly from a closed position to an
open position in response to the trigger engaging the trigger activated means;
d) engaging a roper of the trigger and roping assembly with a portion of the
flexible material extending from the load to the delivering device to turn
said
portion of flexible material into a rope, as the trigger and raping assembly
is moved
into its active position;
4
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
c
r
t.
e) moving the trigger and roping assembly from the active position to the
retracted position;
f) disengaging the trigger from the trigger activated means as the trigger
and roping assembly is retracted from its active position; and
g) moving the clamp and cutter assembly from the open position to the
closed position in response to the trigger disengaging from the trigger
activated
means, thereby cutting the rope and holding a free end thereof extending from
the
delivering device by means of the clamp and cutter assembly.
The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will
i0 become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive
description of
preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only
with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like
elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus far handling and cutting a
flexible material, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 2 is a partial side view of the apparatus for handling and cutting a
flexible material taken along lines II-II of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus for handling and cutting a
2 o flexible material according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the
apparatus being mounted alongside a first type of flexible material delivering
device;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an apparatus for handling and cutting a
flexible material according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the
apparatus being mounted alongside a second type of flexible material
delivering
device;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an apparatus for handling and cutting a
flexible material according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the
apparatus being mounted alongside a third type of flexible material delivering
3 0 device;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of an apparatus for handling and cutting a
flexible material to be wrapped around a load according to a preferred
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
z
embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus being mounted alongside the
first type of flexible material delivering device with a trigger and roping
assembly of
the apparatus positioned in a retracted position;
Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus for handling and
cutting the flexible material that is shown in Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus for handling and
cutting the flexible material that is shown in Figure 6 once the load has been
wrapped with a filexible material by means of the delivering device;
Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus for handling and
cutting the flexible material that is shown in Figure 8 where the trigger and
roping
assembly thereof is positioned between its retracted and active positions
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 10A to 10E are partial perspective views of a trigger and roping
assembly engaging with a clamp and cutter assembly in different engagement
positions according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus for handling and
cutting the flexible material that is shown in Figure 9 where the trigger and
roping
assembly thereof is positioned in its active position, according to a
preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
2 0 Figures 12 and 13 are partial perspective views of the apparatus for
handling and cutting the flexible material that is shown in Figure 9 where the
trigger and roping assembly thereof is positioned in its active position and
where a
roper of the trigger and roping assembly has turned a portion of the flexible
material into a rope;
Figure 14 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus for handling and
cutting the flexible material that is shown in Figure 9 where the trigger and
roping
assembly is moved from its active position to its retracted position and where
the
clamp and cutter assembly has cut the rope and holds a free end of the rope,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
3o Figure 15 is partial perspective view of the apparatus for handling and
cutting the flexible material that is shown in Figure 14 as the trigger and
roping
assembly is further moved to ifs retracted position.
6
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
i
v
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figures 1 to 15, there are shown preferred embodiments of an
apparatus according to the present invention within the environment in which
it
operates.
The apparatus 100 is for handling and cutting a flexible material 20 that is
wrapped around a load 57 by means of a delivering device 101. The flexible
material 20 may be a plastic film web that can be provided by any suitable
delivering device 101.
Referring to figures 3, 4 and 5, there are show three types of embodiments
of delivering devices 101 that may be used with the apparatus 100. Of course,
other delivering devices differing from those illustrated may be used with the
apparatus of the present invention as will be understood by those skilled in
the art.
Referring to Figure 3, the first type of delivering device 101 consists of a
support frame 50 made of a vertical column and a horizontal beam. The
horizontal
beam contains a rotation motor 54 used for rotating a rotatable horizontal arm
52
which is mounted under the horizontal beam. The rotatable horizontal arm 52
contains an elevating motor 53 used for verfiically moving a carriage 55 that
holds
a roll of flexible material to be wrapped around a load. The carriage 55 is
slidably
mounted on a vertical boom structure 51, which is connected at one end of the
2 0 rotatable horizontal arm 52.
Referring to Figure 4, the second type of delivering device 101 is similar to
the first type. The second type of delivering device 101 also consists of a
support
frame 50, but in this case it has four legs connected together by horizontal
bars.
The support frame 50 contains the same rotation motor 54 used for rotating the
rotatable horizontal arm 52, which in turn has the same elevating motor (not
shown) for vertically moving the carriage 55 that holds the roll of flexible
material
56 to be wrapped around a load. The carriage 55 is also slidably mounted on
the
vertical boom structure 51, which is connected at one end of the rotatable
horizontal arm 52.
30 In order to wrap a load with both of the above-described delivering
devices,
the roll of flexible ma#erial is moved up and down while it is simultaneously
rotated
around a load.
7
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
Referring to Figure 5, the third type of delivering device includes a
turntable
52c mounted on a support frame 50. The delivering device has a fixed vertical
structure 51 c onto which a carriage 55 can slidab(y move up and down. In
order to
wrap a load with this type of delivering device, the roll is only moved
vertically up
and down while the load is simultaneously rotated by means of the turntable
52c.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 100 according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention is formed of a clamp and cutter assembly
102, a trigger and roping assembly 104, and a moving device 106.
The clamp and cutter assembly 102 includes a controllable clamp 108 that
1o is movable between open and closed positions. The clamp 108 preferably
consists
of a movable upper jaw 1 and a fixed lower jaw 40 covered with a silicone tube
58
(shown in Figure 12), which cooperates with the movable jaw 1 upon a clamping
motion thereof. The clamp 108 has a trigger activated mechanism for moving the
clamp 108 between its open and closed positions. The clamp and cutter assembly
102 also has a controllable cutter 110 that is also movable between open and
closed positions. The cutter 110 preferably consists of a movable upper blade
18
and a fixed lower blade 60, with the movable blade 18 being adjacent and solid
with the movable jaw 1 and the fixed javrv 40 being adjacent to the fixed
blade 60.
The cutter 110 also has a trigger activated mechanism for moving the cutter
110
2 o between its open and closed positions. As is illustrated throughout the
figures,
both of the trigger activated mechanisms are preferably embodied by single
trigger
activated mechanism 41. The triggered activated mechanism 41 preferably has a
resilient device urging the clamp 108 and cutter 110 in their closed position.
Such
resilient device may consist of a coiled spring 16 mounted on a pivot point
16a of
the clamp and cutter assembly 102 as shown in Figure 12 for example.
Preferably,
as shown in Figure 2, and Figures 10A to 10E, the single trigger activated
mechanism 41 comprises a two-legged member pivotally mounted on the pivot
point 16a of the clamp and cutter assembly 102. The two-legged member has a
front extending leg 3a provided with a wheel 3 and rear extending leg 2a also
3o provided with a wheel 2. The two-legged member is biased by the coiled
spring 76
resulting in the rear extending leg 2a being urged downward while the front
extending leg 3a is urged upwards. The same coiled spring 16 preferably urges
the clamp and cutter assembly 102 in its normally closed position.
8
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
Referring back to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the clamp and cutter
assembly 102 is illustrated with numeral 15 corresponding to a deflector,
numeral
37 to a clamp washer, numeral 38 to a spring washer, and numeral 39 to a clamp
base. A load stopper 19 may also be used for preventing the load to be pushed
onto and possibly damaging the apparatus 100.
The trigger and roping assembly 104 includes a trigger 7 for triggering the
trigger activated mechanisms of the controllable clamp 108 and cutter 110. The
trigger and roping assembly 1 Q4 also has a roper for roping a portion of the
flexible
material 20 as shown for example in Figures 11 to 13. The roper preferably
to consists of a drive roping wheel 4, a motor 24 connected to the drive
roping wheel
4, and an idler wheel 5 facing the drive roping wheel 4. A curved guide 6 is
preferably used for guiding the flexible material 20 toward the roper. The
trigger 7
preferably has rising, flat-top and descending ramps engaging with the wheels
2
and 3 of the two-legged member to move the clamp 1 and cutter 18 befinreen the
open and closed positions. The trigger 7 may have other suitable shapes in
order
to achieve the same result, such as a continuous convex shape for example. As
illustrated, the trigger may be supported by a wheel 25 mounted on a support
wheel member 26.
The moving device 106 is connected to the trigger and roping assembly 104
2 o for moving the trigger and roping assembly 104 between a retracted
position, as
shown for example in Figures 3 to 8, and an active position, as shown for
example
in Figures 11 to 13. As the trigger and roping assembly 104 is moved into its
active
position, as shown for example in Figure 9, the trigger 7 engages with the
trigger
activated mechanisms 41 to move the clamp 108 and the cutter 110 to their open
position, as shown in Figures 1 OA to 10C. In the active position, the roper
engages
with a portion of the flexible material 20 extending from the laad 57 to the
delivering device 101 so as to turn such portion of flexible material 20 into
a rope
21, as shown for example in Figures 12 and 73. Then, as the trigger and roping
assembly 104 is retracted from its active position, the trigger 7 disengages
with the
3 o trigger activated mechanism 41 to move the clamp 108 and the cutter 110 in
their
closed position, as shown for example in Figures 10D and 10E. Thereby, the
clamp and cutter assembly 102 cuts the rope 21 by means of the cutter 110 and
9
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
holds a free end of the rope 21 by means of the clamp 108. The free end of the
rope 21 held: by the clamp 108 extends from the delivering device 101.
Preferably, the moving device 106 includes a frame 27 and a first arm 11
having a first end pivotally connected to the frame 27. A second arm 12 has a
first
end knuckle jointed to a second end of the first arm 11. A second end of the
second arm 12 pushes and pulls on a carrying member 32 provided with wheels
for carrying the trigger and roping assembly 104. A motor 14 mounted on the
frame 27 is used for moving the first and second arms 11, 12 between the
active
and retracted positions. The second arm 12 is connected to the carrying member
10 through a pivot pin 34.
As shown for example in Figures 1 to 4, the frame 27 of the moving device
106 and the clamp and cutter assembly 102 are both preferably mounted on a
plate 35 at a predetermined distance from each other, which can be adjusted
according to he particular design parameters that are chosen. The mounting of
the moving device 106 and clamp and cutter assembly 102 on the plate 35 is
particularly applicable to the first two types of delivering devices, which
are
illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.
Referring to Figure 5, there is shown another use of the apparatus 100
according to a preferred, embodiment of the present invention where the clamp
2o and cutter assembly 102 is mounted on the rotatable turntable 52c of the
delivering device 101. As illustrated, the moving device 106 is positioned at
a
predetermined distance from the home position of the clamp and cutter assembly
102 mounted on the turntable 52c. When wrapping the load by means of the
delivering device 101, the clamp and cutter assembly 102 is rotated by the
turntable 52c and makes at least a complete revolution before returning to its
home position.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a method for
handling and cutting the flexible material 20 wrapped around a load 57 by
means
of a delivering device 101. The method; which is described with reference to
the
3 o Figures includes the following steps:
a) moving the trigger and roping assembly 104 from a retracted position, as
shown in Figure 9, to an active position as shown in Figure 11;
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
b) engaging a trigger 7 of the trigger and roping assembly 104 with a trigger
activated mechanism 41 of a clamp and cutter assembly 102 as the trigger and
roping assembly 104 is moved into its active position as shown in Figure 10A;
c) moving the clamp and the cutter assembly 102 from a closed position, as
shown in Figure 10A; to an open position, as shown in Figures 10B and 10C, in
response to the trigger 7 engaging the trigger activated mechanism 41;
d) engaging a roper of the trigger and roping assembly 104 with a portion of
the flexible material 20 extending from the load 57 to the delivering device
101, as
shown in Figure 12, to turn the portion of flexible material 20 into a rope
21, as the
trigger and roping assembly 104 is moved into its active position;
e) moving the trigger and roping assembly 104 from the active position to
the retracted position as shown in Figure 14;
f) disengaging the trigger 7 from the trigger activated mechanism 41 as the
trigger and roping assembly 104 is retracted from its active position as shown
in
Figures 10D and 10E; and
g) moving the clamp and cutter assembly 102 from the open position, as
shown in Figure 10D, to the closed position; as shown in Figure 10E, in
response
to the trigger 7 disengaging from the trigger activated mechanism 41, thereby
cutting the rope 21 and holding a free end thereof extending from the
delivering
2 0 device 101 by means of the clamp and cutter assembly 102.
We will now describe vuifih more details the operation of a preferred
embodiment of the invention. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, at the beginning of
a
wrapping procedure, a manually roped end portion of flexible material 20 is
placed
into the jaws 1 and 40 of the clamp 108, thus creating the first film tail 17.
The~first
film tail 17 is entrapped within the upper jaw 1 and the silicone tube 58
mounted in
the bottom jaw 40. The coiled spring 16 holds the clamp 108 in the closed
position
to prevent the tail 17 from slipping out of the jaws 1 and 40. Once the clamp
108 is
loaded with the flexible material 20, the load 57 that is placed nearby is
ready to
be wrapped. 1n the cases illustrated. in Figures 3. and 4, the load 57 is
placed close
3 o to the clamp and cutter assembly 102. In the case illustrated in Figure 5,
the load
is placed on the turntable 52c. In any case, the operator then presses start
on a
button to wrap the load 57. The wrapping cycle is started by rotating the film
delivering carriage 55 around the load 57 (according to Figures 3 and 4) or by
11
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
,.
rotating the load 57 (according to Figure 5). The carriage 55 fully wraps the
load
57 with the flexible material 20 by moving the carriage 55 according to a
conventional up and down motion. After the conventional wrapping is completed,
the rotatable horizontal arm 52 or turntable 52c is stopped at a home position
as
shown in Figure 8. The extendable arms 11 and 12 are then moved forward. to
the
active position in order to position the trigger and roper assembly 104 under
the
flexible material20 as shown in Figures 9 and 11. As shown in Figure 1, the
arm
11 may be provided with a stopper working in combination with a brake pad 36
in
order to control its extension: A proximity sensor 61 may also be used for
such
purpose. The arms 11 and 12 are knuckle jointed by means of a bearing 30 and
are provided with linkage bars 13 that are connected together by a linkage
bracket
31. As the arms 11 and 12 move forward, as shown consecutively in Figures 9,
10A, 10B, and 10C, the trigger 7 forces the jaw 1 of the clamp 108 and the
blade
18 of the cutter 110 to open simultaneously as the trigger 7 hits the front
extending
wheel 3. Of course, those skilled in the art wilt understand that in case the
blade
and the cutter are provided with independent trigger mechanisms, it is not
necessary that both clamp and cutter open at the same time. At this time, the
tail
17 is automatically released arid it springs toward the Toad 57 that was
wrapped.
Once the arms 11 and 12 are extended in the active position, a portion of the
24 flexible material 20 is guided with the guide 6 in order to be positioned
in the grasp
of the roping wheels 4 and 5. The proximity sensor 81 then sends a signal to
activate the gear motor 24 that rotates the roping wheel 4. The idler wheel 5
is
spring loaded against the wheel 4 by: a spring 9 through a lever bar 8 (shown
in
Figure 2) thus creating a pulling force on the flexible material 20. The
portion of the
flexible material 20 is then pulled down and is turned into a rope 21 as shown
in
Figure 12. Once the rope 21 is formed, the arms 11 and 12 are brought back to
their retracted position by activating the gear motor 14. As the arms 11 and
12
move back, the rope 21 is pulled into the open jaws of the clamp 108 and the
blades of the cutter 110. After a predetermined travel of the arms 11 and 12,
the
3 o trigger 7 hits the wheel 3 of the trigger activated mechanism 41, as shown
in
Figures 10D and 10E, thus forcing the movable upper jaw 1 and blade 18 of the
clamp and cutter assembly 102 to close on the rope 21. As shown in Figure 14,
the rope 21 is cut as the movable blade 18 is closed on the fixed blade fi0,
with
12
CA 02381190 2002-04-10
both acting like scissors. Simultaneously, the motor 24 of the roper is
activated in
reverse in order to release the gathered rope 21 from the roping and idler
wheels 4
and 5. A new film tail 23 springs back to the wrapped product due to internal
tension in the tail, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. The other portion: of rope
21 that
is held by the clamp 108 becomes the first tail of the next cycle
It is worth noting that in case the clamp and the cutter are independent from
each other, which means that they do not close simultaneously, then the clamp
must be closed first and then the cutter second so as to ensure that the new
tai! is
held and does not spring away if it is ever cut first by the cutter. Iri case
the clamp
1 o and cutter are independent, then the cutter may remain open most of the
time
unlike the clamp which remains closed most of the time, with the cutter being
closed only at the appropriate time.
As those skilled in the art will understand, the roper can also have different
suitable configurations, such as a conveyor belt type of roper, but the one
illustrated is preferred because of its :compact size.
Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the moving device 106, which
is shown embodied by the two arms 11 and 12, can also have other suitable
configurations, such as a piston that pushes and pulls on the trigger and
roping
assembly. It can also be a motorized wheeled carriage moving back and forth
20 along a track for carrying the trigger and roping: assembly. Therefore the
word
"connected" used to describe the relation between the moving device and the
trigger and roping assembly should be construed to mean operationally or
temporarily connected and not necessarily permanently connected.
By using the apparatus according to' the present invention, the load
wrapping process becomes even simpler. Indeed, the operator only has to insert
the leading end, of the flexible material into the clamp only once.
Thereafter, the
operators just needs to bring the load, press start and remove the toad once
it is
wrapped.
While embodiments of this invention have been illustrated in the
3o accompanying drawings and described above, it wilt be evident to those
skilled in
the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing
from the essence of this invention. A(1 such modifications or variations are
believed
to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended
hereto:
13
