METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WINDING UP TUBES IN SPOOL FORM AND FOR WRAPPING THE SPOOL FORMED

PROCEDE ET APPAREIL POUR ENROULER DES TUBES SOUS LA FORME D'UNE BOBINE ET ENVELOPPER LA BOBINE FORMEE

English Abstract

Method for winding up tubes (1) in spool form by means of an apparatus for winding and wrapping the spool formed with a film (2), the apparatus comprising a structure (10) translationally movable and carrying a reel (20) rotating about a longitudinal axis of rotation (X-X), a feeder device (40) feeding a tube (1) to the reel (20), a feeder device (50) feeding a wrapping film (2), and a pair of coaxial discs (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) which are respectively distal (30a; 130a) and proximal (30b; 130b) and arranged opposite each other for containing the sides of the spool in the longitudinal direction (X-X), the method comprising the following steps: arrangement of the structure (10) carrying the reel (20) in a longitudinal position removed from the distal disc (30a; 130a); axial displacement of the structure (10) into a position where the reel (20) is coaxially close to the distal disc (30a; 130a); operating the feeder device (40) feeding the tube (1) and starting the winding process; starting the feeder device (50) feeding the wrapping film (2) and fastening said film onto the reel (20); cutting the tube (2) when the programmed winding diameter of the spool is reached; starting the process for winding the film (2) onto the spool formed so as to cover the front surface thereof; synchronized displacement of the feeder device (50) for the film (2) in both senses of the longitudinal direction (X- X) from one end position to the other relative to the spool during winding, the discs (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) for containing the wound spool and the wrapping film (2) being rotationally fixed with respect to the reel (20) and the surface of said fixed containing discs (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) having at least one gap (32) in the zone where the film (2) enters inside the said discs.

French Abstract

Méthode denroulement de tubes (1) sous forme de bobines au moyen dun appareil pour enrouler et envelopper la bobine formée avec un film (2), lappareil comprenant une structure (10) mobile en translation et portant un rouleau (20) qui tourne autour dun axe longitudinal de rotation (X-X), un dispositif dalimentation (40) alimentant un tube (1) vers le rouleau (20), un dispositif dalimentation (50) alimentant un film demballage (2) et une paire de disques coaxiaux (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) qui sont respectivement distaux (30a; 130a) et proximaux (30b; 130b) et placés de manière opposée les uns aux autres pour maintenir les côtés de la bobine dans la direction longitudinale (X-X), la méthode comprenant les étapes suivantes : agencement de la structure (10) qui porte le rouleau (20) dans une position longitudinale en retrait du disque distal (30a; 130a); un déplacement axial de la structure (10) dans une position dans laquelle le rouleau (20) est coaxialement proche du disque distal (30a; 130a); le fonctionnement du dispositif dalimentation (40) alimentant le tube (1) et le démarrage du processus denroulement; le démarrage du dispositif dalimentation (50) alimentant le film demballage (2) et la fixation dudit fil sur le rouleau (20); la coupe du tube (2) quand le diamètre denroulement programmé de la bobine est atteint; le démarrage du processus denroulement du film (2) sur la bobine formée de façon à recouvrir la surface avant de celle-ci; le déplacement synchronisé du dispositif dalimentation (50) pour le film (2) dans les deux sens de la direction longitudinale (X-X) dune position dextrémité à lautre par rapport à la bobine pendant lenroulement, les disques (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) de retenue de la bobine enroulée et le film demballage (2) étant solidaires en rotation par rapport au rouleau (20) et la surface desdits disques de retenue solidaires (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) présentant au moins un espace (32) dans la zone où le film (2) pénètre à lintérieur desdits disques.

Claims

CLAIMS
1. Method for winding up tubes (1) in spool form and wrapping the spool
formed with a film
(2) by means of an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a structure (10)
translationally movable
and carrying a reel (20) rotating about a longitudinal axis of rotation (X-X),
a feeder device (40)
feeding a tube (1) to the reel (20), a feeder device (50) feeding a wrapping
film (2). and a pair of
coaxial discs (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) which are respectively distal (30a; 130a)
and proximal
(30b, 130b) and arranged opposite each other for containing the sides of the
spool in the
longitudinal direction (X-X), the method comprising the following steps.
- arranging the structure (10) carrying the reel (20) in a longitudinal
position removed
from the distal disc (30a, 130a),
- axially displacing structure (10) into a position where the reel (20) is
coaxially close to
the distal disc (30a, 130a),
- operating the feeder device (40) feeding the tube (1) and starting the
winding process;
- cutting the tube (2) when the programmed winding diameter of the spool is
reached;
- starting the feeder device (50) feeding the wrapping film (2) and fastening
said film onto
the reel (20):
- starting the process for winding the film (2) onto the spool formed so as to
cover the
front surface thereof;
- synchronizing displacement of the feeder device (50) for the film (2) in
both senses of
the longitudinal direction (X-X) from one end position to the other relative
to the spool during
winding, such as to cause the film (2) to project partially in the
longitudinal direction (X-X) from
the sides of the spool, wherein the discs (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) for
containing the wound spool
and the wrapping film (2) are rotationally fixed with respect to the reel (20)
and in that the
surface of said fixed containing discs (30a, 301): 130a, 130b) has at least
one gap (32) in the
zone where the film (2) enters inside the said discs.
2 Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the step of fastening
the film (2) in
order to start wrapping is performed prior to cutting of the tube (1) when the
programmed
winding diameter of the spool is reached
3. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the step of fastening
the film (2) in
order to start wrapping is performed after stoppage and cutting of the tube
(1) when the
programmed winding diameter of the spool is reached
8

4. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the centre angle of
the circle segment
forming the gap (32) in the surface of the discs (30a, 30b. 130a, 130b) is
between 30° and 120°
5. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the centre angle of
the circle segment
forming the gap (32) in the surface of the discs (30a, 30b, 130a, 130b) is
preferably between
40° and 90°.
6. Apparatus for winding up tubes (1) in spool form and wrapping the spool
formed by means
of a film (2), comprising a structure (10) translationally movable and
carrying a rotating reel (20),
a feeder device (40) feeding a tube (1) to the reel (20), a feeder device (50)
feeding a wrapping
film (2) to the reel (20), and a pair of coaxial discs (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b)
for containing the
sides of the spool in the longitudinal direction (X-X), which are respectively
distal (30a. 130a)
and proximal (30b; 130b) and provided with a respective central opening (31),
characterized in
that the said discs (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) for containing the wound spool and
the wrapping film
(2) are rotational3y fixed with respect to the rotating reel (20), in that the
surface of the said fixed
containing discs (30a, 30b; 130a. 130b) has at least one gap (32), in the zone
where film (2)
enters inside the said discs, in that the carrying structure (10) is movable
in both senses of the
longitudinal direction (X-X) from a position where the reel (20) is removed
from the distal disc
(30a, 130a) into a position where the reel is close to the said distal disc
(30a; 130a) and in that
said feeder device (5) feeding the film (2) is movable in the longitudinal
direction (X-X) between
two opposite end positions such to cause the film (2) to project partially in
the longitudinal
direction (X-X) from the sides of the spool.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that said containing
discs (30a, 30b) are
translationally fixed.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that at least one (30b,
130b) of said
containing discs (30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) is translationally movable.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that the
translationally movable disc is
the proximal disc (30b; 130b)
10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, characterized in that the containing
discs (30a, 30b) are
9

connected together in the longitudinal direction (X-X) by screw/female thread
tie-members (36)
11 Apparatus according to Claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a cross-
piece (60) for
containing the spool during winding thereof
12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, characterized in that said cross-piece is
displaceable
from a winding position, close to the spool, into a wrapping position, removed
from the spool
and not interfering with the proximal disc (130b)
13. Apparatus according to Claim 11, characterized in that the proximal disc
(130b) is
mounted on a respective arm (135) integral with a rod (136a) of a cylinder
(136) for performing
translation of the disc (130b) in both senses of the longitudinal direction (X-
X) from a removed
position, where it does not interfere with the cross-piece (60), into a
position close to the spool,
for containing the spool and the film (2) during wrapping.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that said gap (32) of
the containing discs
(30a, 30b: 130a, 130b) is equivalent to a circle segment.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 14, characterized in that said circle segment
has a centre
angle of between 30° and 120°.
16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, characterized in that said circle segment
has a centre
angle of between 40° and 95°
17 Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the inner surface
(30c) of each disc
(30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) is lined with anti-friction material.
18 Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the inner surface
(30c) of each disc
(30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) has spheres (33) lined with anti-friction material.
19 Apparatus according to Claim 14, characterized in that the said
displacement of the feeder
(50) is synchronized with the gaps (32) in the two containing discs (30a, 30b;
130a. 130b)
20 Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the distance (D1)
between the discs
(30a, 30b; 130a, 130b) which are rotationally fixed is slightly greater than
the desired width of

the spool being wound
21. Apparatus according to Claim 14, characterized in that the total travel
stroke of the feeder
device (50) in the longitudinal direction (X-X) between the two end positions
is greater than the
distance (D1) between the containing discs (30a, 30b, 130a, 130b)
22. Apparatus according to Claim 14, characterized in that the disc (130b)
which is proximal
with respect to the reel (20) is designed in the form of petals (131b)
supported by corresponding
arms (135).
23. Apparatus according to Claim 11, characterized in that said cross-piece
(60) allows
expansion of the outer diameter of the reel beyond the inner diameter of the
central opening
(31) of the discs (30a, 30b: 130a, 130b)
11

Description

CA 02800713 2013-01-03
Agent Ref.: 79116/00003
1
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WINDING UP TUBES IN SPOOL. FORM AND FOR
2 WRAPPING THE SPOOL FORMED
3
4 DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for winding up
tubes in
6 spool form and wrapping the spool formed.
7 It is
known in the technical sector of winding up tubes, hanks and the like in the
form of
8
spools that said spools are obtained by winding up the hank onto a reel
rotating on a motor-
9 driven hub.
Also known in the art are different models of winders for automatically
winding tubes
11 made
of plastic or other materials, which operate with a completely automatic cycle
comprising
12 essentially the following steps:
13 -
automatically fastening the tube to be wound onto the reel by means of an
associated
14 mechanical device;
- automatic starting of the winding step during which a second tube-guiding
device
16
distributes the tube on the rotating reel, trying to use as far as possible a
staggered distribution
17 of the tube;
18 - cutting the tube automatically when the set winding length is reached;
19 - starting tying of the wrapping of the finished spool as preset by the
operator;
- once the spool has been wrapped, automatic discharging of the roll produced
which
21
therefore has the appearance of a perfectly wound wrapped tube of the desired
length ready for
22 the palletization step.
23 It is
also known that wrapping of the spool, once winding has been completed, is
24
performed using shrinkable plastic materials which tend to keep the spool
compact for
subsequent unloading from the reel, transportation and storage.
26 The
wrapping step performed on a production line is, however, particularly
critical owing
27 to
the difficulty of obtaining winding of the spool both on its front winding
surface, which is a
28
conventional operation, and along its side surfaces, which is a particularly
complicated
29
operation since during the tube winding step the sides of the spool are held
between containing
flanges which rotate together with the reel and which, although having the
function of ensuring
31
winding of the tube and the plastic film onto the front surface of the spool,
prevent in fact
32 application of the film onto the sides of the spool itself.
33 In
order to be able to solve this problem, machines have been developed where the
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1 circular containing flanges may be retracted inside the rotating reel,
thus freeing the sides of the
2 spool for wrapping: this configuration with retracting flanges however
requires that the flanges
3 have a radius with dimensions not greater than half the radius of the
reel, thus greatly limiting
4 the useful winding diameter of the spool, which, in addition to
increasing the costs of the
machine with the introduction of numerous actuating and control parts, also
results in greater
6 dimensions of the machine for the same final diameter of the spool, or a
reduction in the final
7 diameter thereof.'
8 Examples of these machines are described as prior art in
W02010/103336 which claims
9 a winding machine in which at least one of the spool containing discs is
rotationally movable.
W02010/103336 describes a winding machine in which the containing flanges are
11 formed by radial arms which are operated singly in a manner synchronized
with the feeding of a
12 film for wrapping the finished spool, said film being fed by an
associated feeding device which
13 remains fixed in both senses of a direction parallel to the axis for
winding the tube and the film
14 or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of feeding thereof.
In W02010/103336 each single radial arm rotates together with the spool when
the latter
16 passes opposite the film entry zone, i.e. performs a backwards
(translational or rotational)
17 movement which brings it outside the area occupied by the film, allowing
the tube to be applied
18 also onto the sides of the wound spool; once the film feeding zone has
been angularly passed
19 through, the containing arm is brought back into its original position,
in order to perform the
function of containing the spool during rotation until wrapping has been
completed.
21 It is therefore clear that in W02010/103336 the containing flanges
are not rotationally
22 fixed and are divided into single arms which move singly depending on
the relative position with
23 respect to a film feeding device which is fixed in the direction
parallel to the tube winding axis.
24 W01996/26863 describes a method for winding film around spools wound
on cylindrical
wooden supports to which plates for containing the wound spool are attached;
the document
26 teaches how the spool is wound together with containing plates outside
of a winding machine
27 and does not provide any indication of a solution to the problem of
applying the wrapping film to
28 the side part of the wound spool when still mounted on the reel of the
winder.
29 W01999/15409 describes a machine for winding and film wrapping spools
which are
arranged coaxially alongside each other and separate from each other and in
which the lateral
31 containment parts are rotationally movable together with the reel during
winding of the spool
32 and of the film and are radially retracted and/or axially displaced in
order to contain the spool
33 adjacent to that being wound and in which a wrapping film feeding device
is designed to move
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1 in both senses of a direction parallel to the winding axis so as to
distribute the film over the
2 width of each spool and then over the entire set of spools, in different
configurations designed to
3 allow selective unwrapping of only one spool or of a plurality of spools
wound and wrapped
4 together, while leaving the others properly wrapped. The document does
not provide any
indication as regards the problem of distributing the film on the sides of the
spool for wrapping
6 thereof.
7 The technical problem which is posed, therefore, is that of providing a
method and a
8 machine for winding up in spool form tubes and the like, which allows
easy and low-cost
9 wrapping of the spool itself once winding has been completed and with the
spool still mounted
on the winding reel,
11 In connedtion with this problem it is also required that this machine
should have small
12 dimensions, be easy and inexpensive to produce and assemble and be able
to be easily
13 installed at any user using conventional standardized means.
14 These results are achieved according to the present invention by means
of a method for
winding and wrapping spools of tubes according to the characteristic features
of Claim 1 and by
16 an apparatus for winding and wrapping spools of tubes according to the
characteristic features
17 of Claim 6.
18 Further details may be obtained from the following description of a non-
limiting example
19 of embodiment of the present invention provided with reference to the
accompanying drawings
in which:
21 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a machine for winding and wrapping
spools of
22 tubes according to the present invention, open in the rest condition;
23 Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the machine according to Fig. 1
during closing in
24 order to start the winding process;
Figure 3 Shows a perspective view of the machine according to Fig. 1 during
fastening of
26 the tube to be wound;
27 Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the machine according to Fig. 1
during winding of
28 the tube;
29 Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the machine according to Fig. 1
during the start of
wrapping; and
31 Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the machine according to Fig. 1
during completion
32 of the wrapping Process;
33 Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a second example of embodiment of a
machine
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1 according to the present invention during winding of the tube; and
2 Figure 8 shows the machine according to Fig. 7 during wrapping of the
wound spool.
3 As shown in Fig. 1 and assuming solely for the sake of convenience of
description and
4 without a limiting meaning a pair of reference axes with, respectively, a
longitudinal direction X-
X, corresponding to the axis of rotation for winding, and transverse direction
Y-Y, corresponding
6 to the direction of movement of the tube to be wound and the wrapping
film, a machine for
7 winding up tubes 1 in spool form and wrapping the formed spool by means
of a shrinkable film 2
8 according to the invention comprises essentially:
9 - a carrying structure 10 which has, attached thereto:
- a reel 20 rotating about the longitudinal axis X-X and actuated by means of
a shaft 11
11 connected to actuating and control means 15 which are conventional per
se and only
12 schematically shown in Fig. 1;
13 - the structure 10 is movable in both directions of the longitudinal
axis X-X on
14 longitudinal rails 21 from an extracted position into a position where
it is inserted relative to
= 15 - a pair qf discs, i.e. distal disc 30a and proximal disc 30b for
containing in the
16 longitudinal direction X-X the spool being wrapped; the discs 30a, 30b
are fixed and coaxial with
17 the longitudinal axis X-X and spaced from each other in the same
direction X-X by an amount
18 01 slightly greater than the final thickness of the tube spool to be
wound; as shown, the two
19 discs 30a,30b are attached to a support structure 35 and have:
+ a central circular coaxial opening 31 with an inner diameter greater than
the outer
21 diameter of the reel 20 and
22 + a gap 3'2 in their surface, equivalent to a circle segment with a
centre angle preferably
23 of between 300 and 120 and preferably between 400 and 90 .
24 Preferably the inner surface 30c of each disc 30a, 30b is lined with
anti-friction material,
such as Teflon or the like, and also has spheres 33 in turn lined with anti-
friction material. said
26 lining and spheres being designed to allow easy sliding of the film 2
and the tube 1.
27 In a preferred embodiment the distance 131 between the discs 30a, 30b
is adjustable by
28 means of a relative axial movement of the proximal disc 30ID with
respect to the distal disc 30a
29 in a direction parallel to the winding axis X-X, which can be achieved
for example by means of a
screw/female thread connection of the spacers 36 arranged between the discs
30. In this way it
31 is possible, at the start of the winding and wrapping cycle, and
depending on the width of the
32 final wound spool to vary the distance between the discs 30; distance 01
which is kept fixed
33 during winding of the. tube 1 and wrapping with the film 2. Preferably,
the discs 30a, 30b perform
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the containing function in the direction X-X of the winding spool.
2 As shown in Figs. 3, 4. 5 and 6; the apparatus is completed by a device
40 for feeding
3 and fastening the tube 1 to the reel 20 and by a device 50 for feeding
and fastening the
4 shrinkable film 2 for final wrapping.
As can be seen more clearly below. the device 50 for feeding the shrinkable
film 2 is
6 movable parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X, in both senses
thereof. between opposite end
7 positions such as to cause the film 2 to project partially in the
longitudinal direction X-X from the
8 sides of the spool.
9 The device 50 for feeding the film is kept in position, with respect to
the rotationally fixed
discs 30a, 30b. such as to cause entry of the film inside the discs 30a,30b in
a direction
11 substantially tangential to the spool.
12 With this Configuration the operating sequence of the machine is as
follows:
13 - arrangement of the structure '10 carrying the reel 20 (Fig. 1) in an
extracted longitudinal
14 position with respect to the two discs 30a, 30b:
- axial displacement of the structure 10 (Fig.2) so as to bring the reel 20
into the position
16 inserted in the two central openings 31 of the discs 30a. 30b;
17 - operation of the fixed-disc device 40 for feeding the tube 1 (Fig. 3),
with fastening of the
18 tube to the reel 20 and starting of the winding process;
19 - when the programmed spool winding diameter is reached, stoppage and
cutting of the
tube 1;
21 - starting of device 50 for feeding the wrapping film 2 and fastening of
the film onto the
22 reel 20;
23 - pulling by the reel of the film 2 with consequent winding of the film
onto the spool
24 formed, so as to cover the front surface thereof:
- synchronized displacement of the feeder device 50 for the film 2 in both
senses of the
26 direction X-X so as to bring the film 2 into a position where it is
partly superimposed on the front
27 surface of the reel and partly projects in the longitudinal direction
with respect thereto so as to
28 forrn a wrapping fold 2a on the side of the spool:
29 "synchronized displacement" in accordance with the present invention is
understood as
meaning that the displacement of the feeder device 50 for the film 2 in both
senses of the
31 longitudinal direction X-X takes place in such a way that the film 2
projects laterally from either
32 side of the spool in the region of the open circle segments 32 of the
fixed discs 30a, 30b: in
33 this way, during' unrolling of the film, said film forms said fold 2a on
the sides of the spool,
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1 completing correct wrapping thereof;
2 - displacement of the structure 20 into the extracted position with
respect to the discs
3 once wrapping has been completed;
4 - unloading of the wrapped spool:
- starting of a new cycle if required.
6 It is therefore clear how with the apparatus for winding and wrapping
tubes in the form of
7 spools according to the invention, characterized by the containing discs
which are fixed with
8 respect to the rotating reel, it is possible to achieve complete and
automatic wrapping on a
9 production line without limitation of the final size of the spool as
instead occurs in the prior art:
with the apparatus according to the invention it is in particular possible to
render independent of
11 each other the measurements of the outer diameter and the inner diameter
of the spool, these
12 being no longer dependent on the need to design the containing flanges
in accordance with the
13 dimensions of the winding drum together with which, according to the
prior art, they must rotate
14 and with respect to which they must be retracted and/or disengaged.
In addition to this the spool is never freed from the lateral containing
restraint of the fixed
16 discs, thus favouring more uniform winding and wrapping of the spool.
17 With the method and the apparatus according to the invention, it is also
possible to use
18 wrapping films of standard and/or uniform size for any spool thickness.
the movement of the film
19 feeder device between the two ends of its travel path in the
longitudinal direction X-X in fact
resulting in there being no constraint on the size of the film in the said
longitudinal direction.
21 ln a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention,
shown in Figures 7
22 and 8, it is envisage that:
23 - the disc 130a, which is distal with respect to the reel 20, is both
rotationally and
24 translationally fixed during all the winding and wrapping steps and has
at least one opening 32
in its surface. As shown, the disc 130a may be formed by means of petals 131a
which are
26 angularly spaced from each other so as to define the said openings 32;
27 - the disc 130b which is proximal with respect to the reel consists of
petals 131b
28 supported by corresponding arms 135 integral with the rod 136a of a
cylinder 136 for performing
29 axial displacement of the petals parallel to the longitudinal direction
X-X from a position
removed from the spool being wound, in which position the proximal disc 130b
remains outside
31 the winding trajectory of the reel 20, into a position for containing
the spool during wrapping
32 thereof, in which position the proximal disc 130b is situated a suitable
distance D1 from the fixed
33 distal disc 130a and in an angular position such as to bring at least
one petal 131b into an
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1 angular position such as to produce the alignment of the at least one
opening 32 of the two
2 discs 131a, 131b, for wrapping of the spool in the film in a mariner
similar to that described and
3 illustrated above.
4 Advantageously, in the case of the embodiment according to Figs. 7 and 8,
containment
of the spool in the longitudinal direction X-X during winding of the tube 1 is
performed by a
6 cross-piece 60 which is displaceable on the reel 20 in the longitudinal
direction X-X for
7 longitudinal sizing/containment of the spool; at the end of the tube
winding step, the cross-piece
8 is displaced away from the spool into an end-of-travel position, while
the proximal disc 130b is
9 brought into the position close to the spool for wrapping.
Advantageously the arms of the cross-piece 60 are provided with a mechanism
for
11 adjusting the radial opening of the reel, in accordance with the desired
inner diameter of the
12 spool to be wound, thus eliminating the constraint imposed on the inner
diameter by the
13 dimensions of the central opening 31 of the discs 30a, 30b of the first
embodiment; in fact, it is
14 no longer necessary for the outer diameter of the winding reel to be
less than the diameter of
the central opening 31.
16 Although described in relation to an example of embodiment with a gap in
the surface of
17 the containing discs in the form of a circle segment, it is envisaged
that this gap may have
18 equivalent forms provided that they have the function of ensuring
synchronization with the
19 movement of the film feeder device in the longitudinal direction.
It is envisaged moreover that fastening of the film 2 for starting of the
wrapping operation
21 may also be performed before final cutting of the tube.
22 Although described in connection with a number of preferred
constructional forms and
23 examples of embodiment of the invention, it is understood that the scope
of protection of the
24 present patent is defined solely by the claims which follow.
22323006.2 7

Representative Drawing