DE3639238A1 - FILM WRAPPING MACHINE - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a film winding machine To wrap objects with foils, especially with heat shrinkable foils.

The objects that the film winder ge can handle according to the invention, any kind of containers, for example bottles, cans or Cups of any shape, e.g. cylindrical or round shape. The foils that wrap the foil machine used according to the invention can provide protection films to minimize any possible scattering or chipping of parts of the container if the latter breaks, or to minimize an unauthorized opening other than the buyer or be decorative foils for aesthetic purposes or for that To be given in connection with the contents of the container.

It is a widespread practice to use containers or the like. wrapped with heat shrinkable foils for the purpose protection and / or decoration. It is also one Practice the necks and the caps of containers together with to wrap heat shrinkable foils for the purpose of each possible unintentional separation of the caps from the necks to avoid. Regardless of the intended purpose the wrapping of a heat-shrinkable film which is covered by a Film roll is cut to a predetermined size, previously performed in that the film around a loading is wrapped with its opposite ends overlap each other. After that, the overlapping  Ends of the film are connected to one another by fusion bonding, to form a film tube surrounding the container. Then the container with the film tube is a heat subjected to treatment so that the film tube shrinks can adapt to the container.

A film winder that is capable of performing the wrapping process described above is disclosed in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,245,452, and a substantial portion of the machine disclosed therein is shown in FIG. 9 of the present application for the purpose of to explain the state of the art.

In Fig. 9, reference numeral 300 denotes a rotary table device which can be rotated in a direction indicated by the arrow about a support shaft 400 to successively transport container X to and from a station in which objects to be packaged are fed. Reference numeral 301 denotes a plurality of article holders which are rigidly attached to an outer periphery part of the rotating table device 300, and indeed at equal intervals with respect to the circumferential direction of the rotating table device 300, and each having article holder 301 has a recess formed therein 302 for receiving the relevant container X. The reference sign 303 denotes two film wrap arms, which are each held by the object holder 301 for pivotal movement between an open and a closed position and can be actuated in order to place or wrap the film F generally around the relevant container X , which is then in the recess 302 of the associated object holder 301 is received. Reference numeral 304 designates two trailing arms which are movably carried and actuated by each article holder 301 in order to support the winding of the film F in association with the relevant film winding arms 303 . Reference numeral 305 denotes a foil support spatula or foil support spoon, which is provided for each object holder 301 and can be held in contact with the side wall of the container X in question.

Although not shown, the prior art film winder further includes a cam mechanism that is designed so that all pairs of film winder arms 303 and all pairs of follower arms 304 can be successively moved between the open and closed positions. namely during the rotation of the turntable device 300 around the support shaft 400 past a special processing station, and is also designed in such a way that all foil support spatulas 305 are synchronized with the movement of the pair of foil wrapping arms 303 between the open and the closed position can be moved up and down.

The known film winding machine with the above-described embodiment works in the manner described below. It is assumed that the heat-shrinkable film F is guided into an empty recess 302 in the associated object holder 301 , after which the relevant container X is also guided into the recess 302 , the film F being arranged radially outward of the container X. Then the associated foil support spatula 305 is lowered from above into a position in which it is brought into contact with the side wall of the container X. At the same time, the associated pair of film wrap arms 303 and the associated pair of follower arms 304 are successively moved from the open position towards the closed position to encompass the container X , whereby the film F , which is arranged in the recess 302 and surrounds the container X in the article holder 301 , around which the container X is placed, such that their opposite ends overlap one another and also overlap the foil support spatula 305 . The overlapping ends of the film F , which also overlap the film support spatula 305 , are then provided with adhesive and clamped together by means of a pusher head which presses the overlapping ends of the film F against the film support spatula 305 . In this way, the film F can be completely wrapped around the container X , with its overlapping ends being tied together. Thereafter, the container X with the film tube is removed from the associated recess 302 in the object holder 301 for transport to the next processing station which is arranged outside the rotary table device 300 .

It has been found that there is a problem with the known film winding machine as described above, according to which when the film winding arms 303 of each pair are pivoted into the closed position in order to encompass the container X in question with the film F around it, the opposite ends of the film F often overlap each other in such a way that they are moved in the longitudinal direction of the container X and / or become loose. Furthermore, the need to move each of the film support spatulas 305 up and down in association with the movement of the associated film winding arms 303 leads to another problem, according to which not only the film winding machine becomes complicated to carry out, but also a winding of the film high speed is disabled or not possible.

Accordingly, the present invention has been designed in view of the above problems of be known film winding machine to eliminate essentially  and an essential purpose of the present invention in creating an improved film winder that is effective to sequentially slide the foils around the Ge objects to wrap automatically without the possibility is that the overlapping ends of each foil ver be pushed.

Another important purpose of the present invention is an improved film wrapping machine to create the above type in their way of working reliable and able to handle the items with high Wrapping speed with foils.

Another purpose of the present invention is therein, an improved film winder of the above ge called to create objects of any shape can handle it, for example on a Can support surface.

To achieve the stated purposes of the present invention achieve, includes a film winding machine to each other following laying or wrapping foils around objects such that a film tube surrounding each object is formed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention a turntable device which for Supported rotation in one direction around a support shaft and to and from an article feed station at one Foil feed station and an article feed station at is movable, during a complete order rotation of it, with all stations close to the perimeter of the Rotary table means are arranged, a plurality of Ge object supports in the rotary table device a peripheral part of it are provided for rotation together with the turntable device around the support shaft, where  with these supports at equal distances from each other Circumferential direction of the rotary table device are arranged and each of the object supports is actuated to the be to take the object to the object feed station towards the item delivery station transport, an article feed unit attached to the Item delivery station is arranged to the items successively on the subject supports in question conditions in the turntable device when the turntable device during its rotation on the article feed arrives station, and a film holding part that for each Ge Object support provided and close to the Ge Object support for rotation around an axis parallel to the Support shaft between an ineffective and an effective position and also for movement in one direction parallel to the support wave between a raised and a lowered position is supported.

The film holding part has suction openings formed in it in the form of at least two front and back rows where in the front and rear rows or in front and trailing rows of suction openings in a predetermined The distance from each other in one direction is the same with the direction of rotation of the film holding part. The front one Row of suction openings can be the front end of the associated Hold film under the action of suction, whereas the rear row of suction openings the rear end of one such associated film under the action of suction can hold. The film holding part is around the assigned Ge item on the item support from the ineffective Position towards the effective position only then after it turns towards from the lower position has moved against the raised position.  

The film winding machine further comprises a film feed unit, which is arranged at the film feed station for feeding the film on the relevant film holding part, every time the turntable device is fed to the film station is brought. The film holding part is from the un Lower position in the raised position moves on arrival the turntable device at the film feed station, such that the front end of the slide from the front row of suction openings are sucked in under the effect of suction can, the film, the front end of which is from the front Row of suction openings is sucked out all around the assigned object rotated or laid or wik is when the foil holding part from the ineffective Position turned towards the effective position becomes. The film is completely assigned to the th object wrapped with a portion of the film near the Rear end, which is from the rear row of suction openings is sucked in, it allows the rear end, the front Overlap end. There is also a heating unit for everyone Object support provided and from the turntable Direction worn for movement between an advance NEN and a retracted position in one direction close to and away from the associated object the object support. The heater in question is moved from the retracted position to the advanced position Position together with the movement of the assigned foils holding part from the ineffective position to the effective one Position moved. The heating unit will when in the front moved position is moved against the assigned Foil holding part pressed, creating the overlapping ends the film around the object by melt bonding tied together to form a film tube. Finally, an item delivery unit is also featured see that is located at the item drop point  around the objects with the film tube one after the other remove from the assigned object supports, if the turntable device during its continued Rotation is brought to the article delivery station.

The film holding part preferably comprises a film holding spatula or foil holding spoon, in which a cavity is formed and in connection with a vacuum source can be brought. The front and back row of suction openings are in connection with the cavity on a surface surface of the foil holding spatula provided, in one Direction that ent ent to the assigned object is opposite.

The foil holding spatula preferably comprises two general my strip-like plates, the facing each other are interconnected, and one of the plates has we at least one recess formed in it, while in the other of the plates form the rows of suction openings are det, the recess forming the cavity when the Plates are interconnected.

For a foil wrapping machine described above benen execution is when the turntable device rotated and arrives at a film feed station, the film neck part from the lower position to the raised position moves, ready for the recording of the film in question from the film feed unit. At that time, the front is Row of suction openings in the film holding part with the front aligned the end of the slide and takes the front end of the Foil under the action of suction, the foil is removed from the film feed unit when the film holding part in the raised position from the ineffective Position turned towards the effective position  becomes. The ent in this way from the film feed unit removed film becomes during the continued rotation of the film holding part towards against the effective position all around placed or wrapped the associated object until the Part of the film near the back end of the film to the back Row of suction openings in the film holding part is sucked.

If the part of the film near its rear end is on the look at the back row of suction openings in the fo lienhaltung is sucked, which is a rotation of in essence complete 360 ° on the way to the effective position the rear end of the film overlaps the front end of the film, while the remaining part of the film be surrounding the object. The overlapping ends of the Slide will continue to rotate during the rotation table device from the film feed station in the direction against the item delivery station and after the slides holding part has been rotated into the effective position by Fusion bonded together or ver welds around the film tube surrounding the object to complete.

According to another preferred embodiment of the Invention is the film winding machine with the above described benen version with a plurality of foldable erection parts for each film holding part provided in their Ge stalt the associated film holding part are similar. The foldable erection parts for each film holding part are abge supports for movement together with the associated foils holding part, but they are ge in the folded state hold when the assigned film holding part is in the lower position and also be in the ineffective position finds. These foldable erection parts are unfolded, if the assigned film holding part from the ineffective  Position towards the effective position around the arranged object is moved around, and the foldable on Straightened parts are in one when they are unfolded Distance from each other in the circumferential direction of the assigned Ge to support or carry the film, the outside is placed or wrapped around the associated object.

The film winder according to the second preferred Embodiment of the present invention essentially works in a way identical to the way the first worked preferred embodiment. However, it results from that too additional use of the foldable erection parts such Effect that even if the subject of a design is, for example, a swelling radially outwards Body and a slim neck with progressively decreasing Outer diameter that extends away from the swelling body sets, has, the wrapped or wrapped around the object te foil through the unfolded and therefore in the circumferential direction Supporting erection parts supported at equal intervals can become without loosening as a result of their flexibility is so that the film is generally cylindrical in shape can offer within which the item is arranged is. This is possible because of the foldable erection parts are folded so that they occupy relevant positions around the circumference at generally equal intervals the object when the film holding part rotates essentially 360 ° from the ineffective position in Rich against the effective position.

According to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is in place of the film holding member made use of a film holding drum. The slides holding drum is provided for each article carrier and near the subject carrier for rotation by one  Axis parallel to the support shaft between an effective and an ineffective position and also for movement in one Direction parallel to the support shaft between a raised one and supported a lower position. As with the slide holding part has the film holding drum formed in it suction openings in at least one front and one rear Row, with the front and rear rows of suction openings in the circumferential direction in a predetermined Distance from each other. The front row of suction The front end of the assigned film can be opened under hold the effect of a suction force, whereas the rear Row of suction openings a rear end of the film under the Can hold the effect of a suction force. The film holding drum the above implementation is about the associated subject on the object carrier from the ineffective position in Direction against the active position can only be rotated after them from the lower position to the raised position has been moved.

In the machine according to the third embodiment the invention, the film is ge around every object wraps while the film holding drum between the counter stood and the film is arranged. However, after the over lapping ends of the film by fusion bonding or by Welded together, the foils holding drum from the raised position towards the lower position withdrawn so that the finished Fo is left behind surrounding the object.

By using the new type of foil holder les or the new type of film holding drum according to the Erfin It is made possible to wrap the film tube around the to wrap the subject in question without the possibility there is that the overlapping ends of the film in the longitudinal direction  tion of the object to be moved, as is the case with the be Known film winding machine can occur. If the over lapping ends of the film in the shifted state with each other are connected, and when the Fo inner tube, i.e. the film where the overlapping Ends are welded together, subsequently by means of an heat is shrunk to conform to the shape adapts the subject in question, not only has it full Received item constantly wrapped in the film aesthetically beautiful appearance, but it is also required Lich to provide a trim station arranged below, in which a part is close to each side edge of the film cut off the opposite ends, the opposite over the part of the opposite ends of the same film is shifted outwards.

Furthermore, the use of the foldable on Straightening parts on the machine according to the second preferred Embodiment of the invention advantageous in that the Foil wrapped around the object in question can be supported without the possibility of that the film becomes loose. So if that's from the machine objects to be handled according to the invention, for example wise containers are made of magnetizable metal material or of synthetic resin and in the event that electro static attraction between the container and the wrapped film has the tendency to occur, the foil to be wrapped or wound by the foldable Raising parts are held so that the formed Film tube take a generally cylindrical shape can.

It should be noted that the film holding drum, the in the machine according to the third preferred embodiment form of the invention is used, has a double function,  i.e. a combination of the function of the film hold part is exercised and the function of the foldable Raising parts are exercised.

The invention is described below with reference to the drawing for example explained.

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a film winding machine according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of part of the film winding machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a foil holding spatula used in the film winding machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 (a) is a schematic plan view, a part is shown in section and showing the sequence in which each film is wrapped around the container in question during the rotation of the rotary table device, which is used in the film winding machine according to FIG. 1 is used;

Fig. 4 (b) is a schematic side view, in which the sequence of the film winding in relation to the time of the film winding according to Fig. 4 (a) is Darge;

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of an embodiment in which the film wrapped around the container in question is heat treated to enable heat shrinkage of the film;

. Fig. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b) related to views in which the operation of the Folienwickelma machine according to a second preferred execution of the invention is shown;

. Fig. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b) related to views in which the operation of the Folienwickelma machine according to a third preferred execution of the invention is shown;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a film holding drum used in the machine according to the third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a schematic partial plan view of a known film winding machine.

A film winding machine, ie a machine for the automatic wrapping of objects, for example cylindrical containers X , successively with relevant films according to a first embodiment of the invention is described below in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4. The film winding machine shown in these figures includes a turntable device 10 for the transport of the cylindrical container X to be wrapped. The turntable device 10 is movable during a complete revolution of it in a manner to be described below to an object receiving station and away from this past a plurality of processing stations which comprise an object delivery station. All of these stations are provided near and radially outward of the turntable device 10 .

The turntable device 10 includes an upright support shaft 11 which is rotatably mounted on any suitable surface, for example on a machine base, an upper, an intermediate and a lower circular turntable 12 , 13 and 14 , respectively, which are rigid on the support shaft 11 are attached for rotation in a horizontal plane ne together with this and which are arranged in a direction axially to the support shaft 11 at a distance from each other. While the support shaft 11 is supported in any way who who, for example by means of one or more Maschi NEN frame, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower end of the support shaft 11 is rotatably received in a bearing box, for example by means of roller bearings 16 . The intermediate turntable 13 is formed on its outer circumference with a plurality, for example six, of circular cutouts 17 , which are at equal distances from one another in the circumferential direction of the turntable 13 .

The film winder also includes article carriers, the number of which is equal to the number of circular cutouts 17 in the rotary table 13 and which are generally designated by 30 . All of the article carriers 30 are of identical design, and each of them comprises an article receiving block 31 which is rigidly attached at its opposite ends to the upper and lower turntables 12 and 13, respectively, and a rotary holder 32 for supporting a be cylindrical container X.

The rotatable bracket 32 of each article carrier 30 is in the relevant circular cutout 17 of the rotary table 13 via any suitable bearing 34 rotatably taken for rotatable in a plane perpendicular to and about an axis parallel to the support shaft 11th For a later clear Lich purpose each rotatable bracket 32 has a generally arcuate opening 35 which extends completely over the thickness of the bracket and which creates an appropriate passage through which an associated foil holding spatula 50 move in a direction parallel to the support axis 11 can.

Each of the article receiving blocks 31 has a surface area that faces radially outward with respect to the turntable 13 , and this surface area is radially inward of the turntable 13 or intermediate turntable 13 so as to form a generally U-shaped space 36 that coincides with With respect to the intermediate turntable 13 opens radially outwards and which is curved such that it follows the curvature of the cross-sectional contour of each cylindrical container X which is to be handled by the machine, so that when the cylindrical container X is attached to the rotatable holder 32 is arranged, as will be described later, the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical container X thus placed can be partially accommodated in the general U-shaped space which is limited by the radially inwardly recessed area. Furthermore, each subject receiving block 32 is formed with a vertically extending slot 37 of predetermined width, the relevant opens radially through the wall of article receiving block 32 in a direction to Zvi rule turntable 13, to form a radial path for the passage of a pusher head 171, the will be described below. It is noted, however, that each plunger head 171 between a radially inwardly Retired extended position in which the head is retracted from the zugeord Neten slot 37 171, and is movable a pre schobe NEN position in which the head 171 with the film holding Patel 50 is brought into contact.

As best shown in FIG. 3, each holding spatula 50 has a generally rectangular outer plate 53 which has a plurality of, for example two rows, suction holes 51 and 52 formed in the longitudinal direction thereof. Wei terhin has each spatula 50 has an inner plate 55 , the shape of which is similar to the shape of the outer plate 53 and which has a surface area near the outer plate 53 , which is provided with a generally U-shaped recess 54 . The outer plate 53 and the inner plate 55 are generally arcuate curved about an axis parallel to their longitudinal direction such that the curvature of the cross-sectional contour of the cylindrical container C is followed, and they are connected to each other by facing surfaces by means of a number of not Shown adjusting screws, which pass through screw holes 56 in the outer plate 53 and are then securely screwed into the inner plate 55 . In the assembled state, parts of the U-shaped recess 54 , which correspond to the position of the arms of the shape of the "U", which is assumed by the recess 54 , are aligned with the relevant rows of the suction openings 51 and 52 . For a clearer from the description below, the purpose of the U-shaped recess 54 in the Haltespa tel 50 is in fluid communication with a vacuum source, via any suitable pipe by means of a valve mechanism that is actuated to selectively the vacuum supply to the Interrupting spatula 50 to initiate.

It should be noted that instead of the rows of suction openings 51 and 52 at least one slot can be used for each of these parts of the recess 54 , which correspond in position to the arms or legs of the U-shape which the recess 54 has .

The film holding spatula 50 is rigidly attached to a hollow shaft 70 which has a central cavity 71 which is formed in its axial direction and which forms a suction passage via which the U-shaped recess 54 is connected to the vacuum source, not shown. In particular, the holding spatula 50 has a perforation 57 which is formed in its inner plate 55 and is connected to the U-shaped recess 54 and is fastened in its lower end to a coupling part 72 which has a connecting passage 73 formed therein, the Perforation 57 communicates with one end of the connection passage 73 . The coupling part 72 is in turn rigidly attached to an upper end of the hollow shaft 70 , where the opposite end of the connecting passage 73 is held in communication with the central cavity 71 . When attaching the foil holding spatula 50 to the coupling part 72 , two adjusting screws through screw holes 58 , which are formed in the outer plate 53 and the inner plate 55 , as best shown in FIG. 3, leads and are then securely screwed to the coupling part 72 .

The hollow shaft 70 for each rotatable holder 32 for supporting a cylindrical container C is supported for rotation about its own longitudinal axis and also for movement between a raised and a lower position in the axial direction. For this purpose, a tubular guide device 90 is provided which has an outer drum 91 which is rigidly attached to the lower circular turntable 14 in such a way that it extends completely over the thickness of the lower turntable 14 in alignment with the circular cutout 17 in the intermediate rotating table 13 extends, and has an inner barrel 93 which is in the outer drum 91 for rotation relative to the outer Trom mel equiaxed added 91 and hold in their position within the outer drum 91 ge by a plurality of bearings 92nd The hollow shaft 70 slidably extends through the inner drum 93 for axial movement relative to the inner drum 93 ; However, it is rotatable together with the drum 93 held ren, since an axial keyway formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow shaft 70 at least, in which a corresponding wedge 94 is engaged, which is rigidly connected to the inner drum 93rd Connection of the lower end of the hollow shaft 70 with the vacuum source, not shown, is carried out via a flexible hose 74 , one end of which is in fluid communication with the lower end of the hollow shaft 70 by means of a rotary coupling 75 of any known type, which is designed so that rotation the hollow shaft 70 relative to the rotary coupling 75 is enabled while maintaining fluid communication between these parts.

In order to move each hollow shaft 70 between the raised and the lower position upwards and downwards for a purpose to be described below, a cam drum 100 is rigidly brought to the support shaft 11 uniformly, the upper end of which is formed to a cam surface 101 of a certain profile , which is required to move the hollow shaft 70 up and down during the rotation of the turntable 10 , as will be described below. A carrier block 103, for each hollow shaft 70 is attached to the lower end of the respective hollow shaft 70 for movement together with the hollow shaft in the axial direction of the hollow shaft 70 but for rotation relative to it by means of one or more bearings 105, and it carries a roller 102 which is rotatably attached to it by means of a horizontally extending shaft 104 . The roller 102 supported in this way by the support block 103 rests on the cam surface 101 and can roll over it when the turntable device 10 rotates. The support block 103 has a vertically extending guide hole 106 through which a downwardly extending guide rod 107 , one end of which is rigidly fastened to the lower turntable 14 , slidably extends, so that an upward and downward movement of the support block 103 and accordingly the hollow shaft 71 , which results from the rolling of the roller 103 on the profiled cam surface 101 when the turntable device 10 rotates, can advantageously be stabilized.

A turntable drive mechanism for driving the turntable device 10 around the support shaft 11 includes an externally toothed ring gear 120 , the outer periphery of which is formed with toothed teeth and which is fastened coaxially to the outer periphery of the lower ren turntable 14 such that its toothed outer periphery projects partially radially outward from it . The turntable drive mechanism further comprises a drive gear 121 which is arranged radially outwards and in the vicinity of the lower turntable 14 and constantly meshes with the externally toothed toothed ring 120 , the drive gear 121 being moderately coupled with a not-shown electric motor via a suitable drive transmission system, which also includes a reduction gear unit, also not shown. Accordingly, it can be easily seen that during the rotation of the drive gear driven by the electromotive 121, driving force is transmitted to the lower rotary table 14 and accordingly to the entire rotary table device 10 , so that the rotary table device 10 is rotated about the support shaft 11 .

Each hollow shaft 70 can be rotated together with the inner drum 93 of the tubular guide device 90 via a drive transmission shaft 130 which extends through the intermediate rotary table 13 in a direction perpendicular to this bar and whose upper and lower end parts on the upper or lower rotary table 12 or 14 is mounted by means of associated bearings 131 and 132 , but the lower end of the drive transmission shaft 130 protrudes further downward from the lower rotary table 14 and is provided with a sector gear 133 , which is rigidly attached to it for oscillatory movement in a plane perpendicular to the drive transmission shaft 130 . The sector gear or gear segment 133 is in turn in drive engagement with a drive gear 94 , which with the lower end of the inner drum 93 , which extends outward from the outer drum 91 in FIG. 2 downward direction, formed uniformly or in this way in another way is rigidly attached.

The drive transmission shaft 130 can be driven about its longitudinal axis by a suitable drive mechanism, not shown, in opposite directions in synchronization with the rotation of the turntable device 10 about the support shaft 11 , so that the hollow shaft 70 in opposite directions on its own longitudinal axis together with the inner Trom mel 93 of the tubular guide device 90 can be driven or rotated. The rotation of the hollow shaft 70 , which is brought about in the manner described above, leads to a rotation of the film holding spatula 50 , which is rigidly attached to the upper end of the hollow shaft 70 via the coupling part 72 , as has been described above, between an inactive position, in which the film holding spatula 50 is located on one side of the container X on the rotary holder 32 away from and generally at a distance of 180 ° from the slot 37 in the associated object receiving block 31 according to FIG. 2, and an effective position in which the holding spatula 50 is arranged in front of the slot 37 . In particular, when the hollow shaft 70 is rotated about its own longitudinal axis in one of the opposite directions, for example in a first direction, the spatula 50 about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical container X , which is arranged on the rotary holder 32 , from the inactive position in direction towards the operative position in FIG. 1 counterclockwise, but when the hollow shaft is rotated in the other of ent opposite direction 70 moves, ie, in a second direction, the spatula 50 is around the longitudinal axis of the same container X to the rotary support 32 from the effective position in the direction of the inactive position in the clockwise direction shown in FIG. 1.

Above the upper turntable 12 , a spatula holder 150 is arranged for each rotary holder 32 , which has a shaft 151 which extends through a hole 18 formed in the upper turntable ge in a direction perpendicular thereto and thereby for rotation about its own longitudinal axis over a Bearing 155 is supported. The spatula holder 150 further has a disk 152 which is rigidly attached to the lower end of the shaft 151 for rotation therewith. The peripheral portion of the washer 152 is recessed radially inward to create a holder recess 154 for receiving the upper end of the film holding spatula 50 when the hollow shaft 70 is shifted upward from the lower position to the raised or upper position, as will be explained later . The upper end of the shaft 151 carries a rigidly attached drive gear 153 , which meshes constantly with a sector gear or toothed segment 134 , which is rigidly attached to the upper end of the drive transmission shaft 130 and is arranged above the upper rotary table 12 . Accordingly, it can be seen that the spatula holder 150 can be rotated about the associated shaft 151 in synchronism with the rotation of the drive transmission shaft 130 at the same time that the hollow shaft 70 is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

As previously described, the turntable assembly 10 is rotatable about the support shaft 11 from an article receiving station back to the article receiving station past the intermediate processing stations which include the article delivery station and a film wrapping station. At the film winding station, a generally rectangular film F is wrapped around each cylindrical container X , with the opposite ends of the film being held in an overlapping position. These overlapping ends of the film F are held by the film holding spatula 50 in an overlapping position in a manner to be described later, and they are then bonded by fusion when the film holding spatula 50 has been rotated from the inactive position to the effective position Result of the rotation of the hollow shaft 70 caused by rotation of the drive transmission shaft 130 . For the fusion connection of the opposite ends of the generally rectangular film F , which has been wrapped around the cylindrical container X in cooperation with the film holding spatula 50 , a heating unit, generally designated 170 , is used for each rotary holder 32 .

The heating unit 170 includes, in addition to the pusher head 171, the block above in connection with the article pick up has been called 31 to this heat, a heating device 172, which is incorporated in the plunger head 171 to a temperature of the film for melting F is generally required. The heating unit 170 is supported for movement between a retracted and an advanced position in a direction radial to the rotary table device 10 by means of an upper and a lower link mechanism, each of which has two upper and lower links 178 and 179 , which are parallel extend to each other. While shafts 173 and 174 , which were arranged at a distance from each other in a direction perpendicular to the support shaft 11 , extend slightly through the heating unit 170 with their opposite ends protruding upward and downward therefrom, respectively, are the lower and upper Handlebar 178 rotatably connected at one end to the opposite ends of the shaft 173 and at the other end to the drive transmission shaft 130 . Similarly, the upper and lower links 179 are rotatably connected at one end to the opposite ends of the shaft 174 and at the other end to a rotary shaft 175 , the opposite ends of which are associated with bearings 176 and 177 on the upper turntable 12 and on the intermediate turntable 13, respectively are stored, but it should be noted that only the upper end of the rotary shaft 175 extends through the associated bearing 176 , which is carried by the upper rotary table 12 , in such a way that it ends above the upper rotary table 12 . In this configuration, the rotary shaft 175 is arranged from the drive transmission shaft 130 , by a distance equal to the distance between the shafts 173 and 174 .

A trigger lever 180 for each rotary shaft 175 is rigidly attached to the upper end of the rotary shaft 175 for rotation therewith in such a way that it extends from the shaft 175 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotary shaft 175 . The free end of the trigger lever 180 carries a trigger pin 181 which is loosely inserted therein and which can be brought into engagement with a drive mechanism, not shown, which is designed so that it rotates the trigger pin 181 back and forth over a predetermined angle. Accordingly, it can be easily seen that when the trip pin 181 is rotated in a direction beyond the predetermined angle by the drive mechanism, not shown, the rotating shaft 175 is rotated so as to cause the heating unit 170 to move toward itself from the retracted position against the advanced position moved in synchronism with the rotation of the foil holding spatula 50 from the inactive position towards the active position; however, when the trigger pin 181 is rotated by the same drive mechanism, not shown, in the opposite direction through the predetermined angle, the rotary shaft 175 is rotated such that loading movement of the heating unit 170 from the advanced position toward the retracted position in synchronism with the Rotation of the foil holding spatula 50 from the effective position back in the direction against the ineffective position is caused.

It should be noted that although in the described embodiment each of the heating units 170 , one of which is used for each rotating bracket 32 , is supported by the rotating table device 10 , although the heating units 170 are laterally outside and near the outer periphery of the Rotary table device 10 can be arranged.

As best shown in Fig. 1, an article feed mechanism is arranged at the article receiving station, which has an article supply member 200 , via which cylindrical containers X are successively fed towards the article receiving station, and a transport wheel 201 , which between one end of the Item feeder 200 is arranged near the turntable device 10 and the turntable device 10 in order to individually guide the cylindrical containers X onto the object carriers 30 . For this purpose, the sprocket 201 is disposed in such a manner rotatably on a stationary shaft 201, that in the space between the upper turntable 12 and is located between the turntable 13 and partly projects into this space. The peripheral part of the transport wheel 201 is formed with a plurality of recesses 203 which are at equal distances from one another in the peripheral direction. It is convenient to be understood that the sprocket 201 is rotated speed around the shaft 202 with a Umfangsge which is equal to the peripheral speed of the rotary table device 10 is substantially such that the cylindrical container X, which are fed along the article supply member 200 through the transport 201 can be dispensed individually onto the object carriers 30 , in particular onto the rotary holders 32 .

The object receiving station is followed by a film feed station, at which a film feed unit is arranged in order to guide a film F onto a cylindrical container X , which is arranged on the associated rotary holder 32 and transported by the turntable device 10 in the direction of the object delivery station. The film feed unit comprises a film feed roller 210 , which is rotatably attached to a shaft 211 , which is supported by the machine base or by the machine frame, and a film feed member 212 , which is arranged between the film feed roller 210 and the turntable device 10 . The film feed member 212 comprises two spaced apart idlers 213 and 214 and a generally endless film feed belt 215 , which is arranged between the idlers 213 and 214 in terms of drive, the film feed belt 215 being designed such that it attaches the film F to a Holding suction force on the outer surface of the operative run of the belt 215 , which is facing the turntable device 10 . One of the support rollers 213 and 214 is operationally coupled to an electric motor, not shown, via a corresponding un-reduction gear unit, also not shown, so that the film feed belt 215 can be driven in a direction perpendicular to the support shaft 11 , the effective run of the belt in one Direction runs, which corresponds to the direction of rotation of the rotary table 10 direction.

The sheet feed unit having the above-off guide is arranged such that the power supplied from the supply roll 210 the film F sucked during the movement of Folienzuführriemens 215 on the active run of this belt 215, and then, while at the effective run of the belt 215 under the effect of a partial vacuum is held, from which belt 215 is transported towards one of the cylindrical containers X , which has been made to the film feed station, so that the film F can be wrapped around this container X. The film feed belt 215 is driven at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of the rotary table device 10 so that the film F and the associated cylindrical container X can be brought to the film supply station in synch with each other, for a reason of the following Description becomes apparent.

At the object delivery station, an object removal unit is arranged, which in its design is substantially identical to the object delivery unit. In particular, the article removal unit comprises a delivery transport wheel 230 which is identical to the feed transport wheel 201 and is rotatably attached to a shaft 231 which is supported by the machine base or the machine frame. The transport wheel 230 has a plurality of receiving recesses 232 and a guide chute 233 , which is identical in its design to the article feed member 200 . As can be easily understood, the article removal unit works in a manner that is generally opposite to the operation of the article supply unit. In other words, during the rotation of the discharge transport wheel 230 , the object receiving recesses 232 are brought into alignment with respective cylindrical objects X which are successively brought to the object discharge station as a result of the rotation of the rotary table device 10 , the cylindrical containers X. sequentially picked up by the delivery transport wheel 230 and then delivered to the guide chute 233 , which leads, for example, to an item inspection station.

It should be noted that the transport wheels 201 and 230 are identical in all aspects and accordingly must be driven at the same speed. However, the present invention is not limited to the United application of sprockets 201 and 230 identical exporting tion limited, but rather the transport wheels 201 and 230 of different diameters may have and / or the number of Gegenstandsaufnahmeausnehmungen in one of the transport wheels 201 and 230 may differ from the Number of these recesses in the other transport wheel 201 or 230 , as long as the two wheels are driven at the same peripheral speed. It is further noted that a single drive mechanism can be used to drive the transport wheels 201 and 230 and the film feed unit 212 .

The profile of the cam surface 101 in the cam drum 100 and the operation of the film winding machine with the above-described embodiment will be described with particular reference to FIGS . 4 (a) and 4 (b). It should be noted that Fig. 4 (a) shows a schematic, partially sectioned plan view of the sequence of operations, starting with the supply of one of the cylindrical containers X to the corresponding rotary holder 32 in the rotary table device 10 until this cylindrical container X is complete is wrapped with a film F , whereas FIG. 4 (b) shows the work sequence in a schematic side view together with the shape of the cam surface 101 .

If it is assumed that the turntable device 10 is driven in the counterclockwise direction according to FIG. 1 around the support shaft 11 and one of the article carriers 30 in the turntable device 10 is brought into alignment with the article feed station, the corresponding film holding spatula 50 is held in the inactive position , and the associated hollow shaft 70 , which carries the Folienhaltespa tel 50 , is held in the lower position, which is shown in Fig. 4 (b) with I. As long as the hollow shaft 70 is held in the lower position, the upper end of the associated foil holding spatula 50 , which is in the inactive position, lies under the assigned rotary holder 32 . In this state, both the arcuate opening 35 in each rotary holder 32 and the associated holder recess 154 in the disc 150 , which is arranged directly above the arcuate opening 35 in alignment therewith, are precisely aligned with the foil holding spatula 50 , which then in the ineffective position is maintained, as is clearly shown at I in Fig. 4 (b). Furthermore, the associated heating unit 170 is held in the retracted position as shown at I in FIG. 4 (a).

When one of the cylindrical containers X , which are fed from the feed transport wheel 201 in succession, is arranged on a corresponding rotary holder 32 of the article carrier 30 and is then aligned with the article feed station, the hollow shaft 70 begins its rising movement from the lower position in the direction towards the raised one Position because the roller 102 rolls on an upward sloping area of the cam surface 101 as shown in Fig. 4 (b). Simultaneously with this, the foil holding spatula 50 , which is assigned to the rotary holder 32 and is supported by the hollow shaft 70 , is lifted, passing through the arcuate opening 35 in the rotary holder 32 until it is inserted into the holder recess 154 in the associated disk 152 . The rising movement of the hollow shaft 70 , which results from the fact that the cam roll 102 rolls on the upward sloping area of the cam surface 101 , ends when the upper end of the foil holding spatula 50 is received in the holder recess 154 , as previously described . Simultaneously with the completion of the ascending motion of the hollow shaft 70 , the film holding spatula 50 is connected to the vacuum source to make the film holding spatula 50 ready to hold the film F under suction in a manner as described below.

During the continued rotation of the rotary table device 10 , the cylindrical container X attached to the rotary holder 32 and the associated object carrier 30 are brought to the film feed station. When the foil holding spatula 50 , which is still held in the inactive position, approaches the foil feed station together with the cylindrical container X , the front end of the foil F , which is fed from the foil feed belt 215 in the manner described above, is fed with the front row of suction openings 51 in the film holding spatula 50 aligned, it being noted that the term "front", as it was used before and will be used later, in relation to the direction of movement of the film feed belt 215 or the rotary table device 10 understand is.

Once the front row of suction openings 51 is aligned with the front end of the film F , the film F is removed from the film feed belt 215 and then sucked by the film holding spatula 50 as shown in Figs. 4 (a) and 4 (b) at II is shown. At this time, the suction openings 52 in the rear row of the film holding spatula 50 are open to the atmosphere and accordingly cooperate with the rear end F _{2 of} the film F , as will be described later.

Simultaneously with the suction of the front end F _{1 of} the film F onto the film holding spatula 50 in the manner described above, the hollow shaft 70 is driven in the raised position in one direction in order to cause the film holding spatula 50 to move in the opposite direction from the inactive position the effective position about the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft 70 moves together with the associated rotary holder 32 , which supports the cylindrical container X. When the film holding spatula 50 is moved so the film F which is held by the Folienzuführriemen 215 is increasingly subtracted from this belt 215 while being wound around the cylindrical Behäl ter X on the associated pivot bracket 32 as in Figures . 4 (a) and 4 (b) is shown at III. This is possible because the foil holding spatula 50 has passed through the arcuate opening 35 in the rotary holder 32 and is received in the holder recess 154 in the disk 152 when and as long as the hollow shaft 70 is moved into the raised position, which enables the Rotary bracket 32 and the disc 152 together with the rotation of the foil holding spatula 50 between the ineffective men and the effective position are rotated, it being understood that the ineffective position and the effective position of the foil holding spatula 50 at a distance of substantially 540 ° around the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft 70 are for a purpose to be described below.

When the film holding Patel 50 from the idle Stel lung in the direction towards the active position about the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft 70 is rotated substantially 360 ° wor the is, the rear row of suction holes 52 with a portion of the film F near its trailing end F ₂ brought into alignment, the film F being substantially wound around the cylindrical container X , thereby allowing the film F to be completely removed from the film feed belt 215 and the rear end F _{2 being} accordingly sucked onto the film holding spatula 50 such that it overlaps the front end F _{1 of} the same film F as shown in Figs. 4 (a) and 4 (b) at IV . In this situation, the film F , which has been wrapped around the cylindrical container X in the manner described, is of a generally tubular shape which surrounds the cylindrical container X. Thereafter, the film holding spatula 50 , which holds the front end F ₁ and the rear end F _{2 of} the film F in an overlapping position, continues its movement in the direction against the effective position about the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft 70 , around the overlapping film ends F ₁ and F ₂ to bring the film F into alignment with the slot 37 in the associated object receiving block 30 , as shown at V in Figs. 4 (a) and 4 (b) substantially.

Simultaneously with the arrival of the foil holding spatula 50 in the active position after it has completed its rotation of 540 °, the associated heating unit 170 is moved from the retracted position in the direction towards the advanced position in order to enable the pressure head 171 to pass through the slot 37 in the object receiving meblock 31 protrudes so that the pusher head 171 is brought into contact with the overlapping ends F ₁ and F _{2 of} the film F as shown in Figs. 4 (a) and 4 (b) at V is provided, with the result that the overlapping foils end F ₁ and F ₂ are clamped between the foil holding spatula 50 and the pusher head 171 of the heating unit 170 . The contact of the pusher head 171 with the overlapping foil ends F ₁ and F ₂ leads to a fusion connection of these over overlapping foil ends in order to create a connection, as essentially shown in Fig. 4 (b) at VI .

After forming the connection at the overlapping film ends F ₁ and F ₂ , the heating unit 170 is moved back into the retracted position, leaving the film tube Fa in such a way that it surrounds the associated cylindrical container X. It should be noted that if a film made of a material that cannot be melt bonded to itself is used, an adhesive applicator can be used to apply a layer of adhesive or a binder between the overlapping film ends F ₁ and F ₂ to apply before the heating unit 170 is moved from the retracted position towards the advanced position, so that if the heating unit 170 is optionally moved towards the advanced position, the pusher head 171 can cooperate with the foil holding spatula 50 to securely connect the overlapping film ends F ₁ and F ₂ . In this case, a heater unit need not be installed in the pusher head 171 .

After the complete formation of the connection a in the film tube Fa , which means that the film ends F ₁ and F ₂ have been connected to one another by fusion bonding, the hollow shaft 70 is rotated further by essentially 180 ° in order to enable the film holding spatula 50 in the inactive position to return, which is accompanied by the rotation of the associated cylindrical container X together with the film tube Fa , which surrounds the cylindrical container X , as shown in Figs. 4 (a) and 4 (b) at VI is. Shortly before or substantially simultaneously with the return of the foil holding spatula 50 into the effective position in the manner described above, the foil holding spatula 50 is switched off by the vacuum source, not shown, and then the hollow shaft 70 begins its downward movement towards the lower position is accompanied by a corresponding lowering movement of the foil holding spatula 50 . Therefore, the film holding spatula 50 , which is arranged in a space between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical container X and the film tube Fa , is retracted downward from this space, as shown in Figs. 4 (a) and 4 (b) at VII is shown. This is possible because the roller 102 moves down along a portion of the cam surface 101 that slopes downward as shown in Fig. 4 (b).

It can thus be seen that during the passage of the rotary table device 10 at the film feed station Ar steps are carried out, according to which the film holder spatula 50 is lifted, the film F is taken up by the film feeder 215 , the film F is wrapped around the cylindrical container X. , The overlapping ends F ₁ and F _{2 of} the film F wound around the cylindrical container X are connected to one another and the film holding spatula 50 is withdrawn from the space between the cylindrical container X and the film tube Fa .

Thereafter and during the continued rotation of the turntable device 10 about the support shaft 11 , the cylindrical containers X are successively brought to the object dispensing station, at which the cylindrical containers X loosely wrapped with the foils Fa are individually discharged from the dispensing transport wheel 230 onto the dispensing chute 233 , while each empty rotary holder 32 of the associated article carrier 30 can return to the article receiving station. The discharge chute 233 can be of any known construction with or without a conveyor belt, and along this discharge chute 233 a series of cylindrical containers X is moved, around which a film tube Fa is loosely wound. The series of cylindrical containers X is transported to a heat treatment station, at which the cylindrical containers X are successively heat-treated by any suitable heating device 250 according to FIG. 5, for example by blowing hot air against the containers or infrared rays being radiated against the containers, to enable heat shrinkage of the film tubes Fa , whereby the film wrapping is completed. After this heat treatment, each film tube Fa is heat-shrunk so that it surrounds the cylindrical container X in question.

When describing the film winding machine according to the above-described embodiment of the invention, reference was made to a cylindrical container X. It should be noted, however, that a machine according to the invention can satisfactorily work with any type of object, such as containers having a generally drum or barrel shape or a spherical shape or shape in which the body is bulbous and the mouth narrows more and more towards the body. If a container has the latter shape (which container is hereinafter referred to as "bulbous container"), the film wrapped around the bulbous container may not retain its shape as a result of the lack of self-support capability , which results from the flexibility of the film. Thus, in such a case, the high-speed wrapping of foils around the bulbous containers can be somewhat hampered. This possibility can be minimized by using a winding machine according to the second and / or third preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) the step sequence starting with the supply of one of the bulbous container Xa to the corresponding pivot bracket 32 in the turntable device 10 until complete To wrap the bulbous container Xa with the film F. When describing the second preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS . 6 (a) and 6 (b), only the difference between the above-described embodiment and the second embodiment will be explained.

Referring to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), a plurality of strip-like at play, four Aufrichtstangen 61, 62, 63 and 64, which may be similar in shape to the film holding Patel 50, processing for each article carrier 30 in the Drehtischeinrich 10 used. These erection bars 60 are operable to support the film F that has been wrapped around each bulbous container Xa . If and as long as the Folienhaltespa tel 50 is held regardless of the position of the hollow shaft 70 in the ineffective position, the erecting rods 61 to 64 are folded together with the foil holding spatula 50 as if they would together form a single rod-like structure. On the other hand, the erecting rods 61 to 64 in the collapsed state described above can move together with the foil holding spatula 50 in a direction parallel to the supporting shaft 11 . Furthermore, it makes the following description clear that the erecting rods 61 to 64 can be folded or unfolded when the foil holding spatula 50 has rotated 360 ° from the inactive position towards the active position, so that the erecting rods 61 to 64 can be arranged radially outside the associated bulbous container Xa in the circumferential direction at equal intervals from one another around the bulbous container Xa , while one of the erection rods is held in an overlapping position with the foil holding spa tel 50 .

Specifically, when one of the bulbous containers Xa is placed on the rotating bracket 32 of one of the article carriers and then aligned with the article supply station, as shown at I in Figs. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the film holding spatula 50 is raised as Result of the movement of the hollow shaft 70 from the lower position towards the raised position, which is accompanied by a corresponding de upward movement of the erecting rods 61 to 64 in the folded or folded state.

Then, as shown in Figs. 6 (a) and 6 (b) at II , the front end F _{1 of} the film F is sucked onto the film holder spatula 50 which is radially outward of the erecting rods 61 to 64 with respect to that on the Rotary bracket 32 Lichen bellied container Xa is arranged as a result of the connection of the foil holding spatula 50 to the vacuum source, and substantially simultaneously with the foil holding spatula 50 begins its rotation from the inactive position towards the effective position with a speed that with the Movement speed of the film feed belt 215 is synchronized, as shown in Figs. 6 (a) and 6 (b) at III . After the start of movement of the film holding spatula 50 in the direction towards the active position, one of the Aufrichtstangen disposed closest to the bulbous container Xa, ie the Aufrichtstange 61, at a location between the films feed belt 215 and the bulbous container Xa left without that it is moved together with the foil holding spatula 50 .

After the film holding Patel performed around the bulbous container Xa in its movement in the direction towards the active position a rotation of 90 ° 50 on is directing rod 62, which is 61 net first angeord the Aufrichtstange when the rods ended in the folded or eingefal Condition are in a position that is at a distance of 90 ° from the point at which the upright rod 61 is held, ie in the ineffective position of the film holding spatula 50 , as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) is shown at IV . Similarly, when the foil holding spatula 50 has rotated 180 ° or 270 ° from the inoperative position around the bulbous container Xa , as shown in Figs. 6 (a) and 6 (b) at IV and V is shown, the erecting rods 63 and 64 at relevant points at a distance of 180 ° and 270 ° from the inactive position.

As has been described in connection with the preceding exporting approximately of the invention, when the film holding Patel 50 rotation out leads of about 360 °, the film F which is supplied from the Folienzuführriemen 215 is completely removed from this belt 215, the rear end F _{2 being} sucked by it onto the film holding spatula 50 , as shown at V in Fig. 6 (b), whereby this end overlaps the front end F ₁ .

Thereafter, the film holding spatula 50 continues its rotation towards the effective position without the se movement is accompanied by the movement of any of the erecting rods 61 to 64 , which are arranged at a distance of 90 ° from one another in the circumferential direction of the bulbous container Xa . These erecting rods 61 to 64 , which are arranged in this way in the circumferential direction of the bulbous container Xa and on the inside of the film F , which is wound around the bulbous container Xa , work together to substantially deform local parts of the film F which is wrapped around the bulbous container Xa , substantially avoiding or minimizing it while supporting the film F.

Upon arrival of the film holding spatula 50 , from which the overlapping ends F ₁ and F _{2 of} the film F are held, the heating unit 170 is moved from the retracted position towards the advanced position, the presser head 171 accordingly being pressed against the film holding spatula 50 , to melt-bond the overlapping ends of the F ₁ and F _{2 of} the film F to complete the film tube Fa as described above in connection with the previous embodiment of the invention and in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 ( b) is shown.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 (a) and 6 (b) and described in connection with these figures, each of the rotary brackets 32 has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the circular path along which of the Foil holding spatula 50 between the ineffective and 12147 00070 552 001000280000000200012000285911203600040 0002003639238 00004 12028d the effective position is moved. In this case, during the rotation of the film holding spatula 50, friction may occur between the outer peripheral surface of the body of the bulbous container Xa and the film F wrapped around it. If this friction is to be avoided, each rotary holder 32 can be designed so that it can rotate around the associated hollow shaft 70 and together with this, in order to make the bulbous container Xa rotatable on the rotary holder 32 .

After the formation of the film tube Fa , the film holding spatula 50 and the heating unit 170 being arranged at the effective position and at the raised position or protruding position, the connection between the film holding spatula 50 and the vacuum source over the cavity of the hollow shaft 70 is interrupted and the film holding spatula 50 and the erecting rods 61 to 64 are pulled down from the annular space between the outer peripheral surface of the body of the bulbous container Xa and the film tube Fa . The bulbous container Xa , on which the film tube Fa is arranged, is then guided to the heat treatment station in the manner as described above in connection with the previous embodiment, so that the film tube Fa can be heat-shrunk to wrap the film to complete.

The erecting rods 61 to 64 , which can be actuated in the manner described above, in particular with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), are attached to a corresponding number of supporting rods 81 , 82 , 83 and 84 for movement together with these, the erecting rods can also be formed uniformly with the supporting rods. The support rods 81 to 84 are supported for movement between a lower and a raised position and also for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the bulbous container Xa , which is brought to the associated object holder 32 . The movement of the support rods 81 to 84 between the lower and the raised position and accordingly the relevant movement of the erecting rods 61 to 64 is synchronized with the hollow shaft 70 , whereas the angular movement of the support rods 81 to 84 about the longitudinal axis of the bulbous container Xa and outside around the associated object holder 32 is synchronized with the angular movement of the foil holding spatula 50 . For this purpose, although not shown, a drive mechanism and a handlebar system associated therewith which are separate from those associated with the film holding spatula 50 are used to move the erecting rods 61 to 64 and the support rods 81 to 84 .

It should be noted that the support rods 81 to 84 , which, as described above, consist of parts which are separate from the erection rods 61 to 64 , can be uniform extensions of the erection rods 61 to 64 in question, which means that they fit with the respective uprights straightening rods 61 to 64 can be formed uniformly or in one piece.

Instead of using the foil holding spatula 50 , which is described in connection with the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, or the foldable or foldable erecting rods 61 to 64 in combination with the foil holding spatula, which in connection with the embodiment according to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), a cylindrical film holding drum can be used, which will be described below in connection with FIGS . 7 (a), 7 (b) and 8. The use of the cylindrical film holding drum , which is generally designated 50 a , in a film winding machine according to the invention is advantageous in that the film wrapped around the container can be supported in a satisfactory manner, regardless of the shape of the container to be handled by the film winding machine.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cylindrical film holding drum 50 a has a length and an inner diameter sufficient to receive therein the container take any which the invention will be handled by the film wrapping machine according to. As best illustrated in Fig. 8, has a part of the cylindrical film holding drum 50 a two rows of suction openings 51 and 52 which are on the outer circumference surface of the drum 50 a so formed that it extends axially in a direction towards the cylindrical drum 50 a he stretch, and while the cylindrical drum 50 a on the hollow shaft 70 coaxially with the associated rotary holder 32 via the coupling part 72 for rotation together with it rigidly attached, each row of suction openings 51 and 52 is with the central cavity 71 of the hollow shaft 70th Via a connecting passage 73 in the connecting part 72 via a relevant axial passage (not shown) in connection, which is formed in the wall of the cylindrical drum 50 a ge.

It is to be noted that instead of using the series of suction ports 51 and 52 slots may be used and that one or two additional rows of suction openings on another part of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical drum 50 a can be formed from that Part, on which the rows of suction openings 51 and 52 lie at a distance of about 150 °, the two additional rows being provided similarly to the two rows of suction openings 51 and 52 , so that the film F , which is successively around the container in question is wound, can inevitably be supported by the cylindrical drum 50 a , which sucks part of the film F generally between the opposite ends F ₁ and F ₂ , which are then sucked in by the rows of suction openings 51 and 52 .

The film winder according to the third embodiment of the invention operates in a manner which is substantially similar to the operation of the film winder according to one of the embodiments described above. In particular, assuming that one of the containers, for example the bulbous container Xa , is arranged on the associated rotary holder 32 and is then aligned with the article feed station during the rotation of the rotary table device 10 , as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) is shown at I, the associated cylindrical drum 50 a is moved upwardly to permit that the container Xa within the cylindrical drum 50 a substantially being arranged art, as shown in Fig. 7 (a) II is.

During the continued rotation of the rotary table device 10 and at the film feed station, the front row of suction openings 51 in the cylindrical drum 50 a , which are connected to the vacuum source, are brought into alignment with the front end F _{1 of} the film F and then sucked on fed from the film feed belt 215 as shown at II in Fig. 7 (b). Upon rotation of the cylindrical drum 50 a about the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft 70 , the film F , the front end F ₁ of which has been sucked in by the cylindrical drum 50 a in the manner described above, is pulled outwards by the film feed belt 215 while being around the cylindrical drum 50 a is wound, as shown in Figs. 7 (a) and 7 (b) at III .

At the time at which the film holding drum 50 a has made a rotation of essentially 360 °, the rear row of suction openings 52 is brought into alignment with a part of the film F near the rear end F ₂ in order to counter this rear end F ₂ to attract the cylindrical drum 50 a , under the action of a suction force. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) at IV , the film F is completely wrapped around the cylindrical film holding drum 50 a , the rear end F ₂ overlapping the front end F ₁ .

Then the cylindrical film holding drum 50 a rotates a further 150 ° in the direction against the active position. When the cylindrical film holding drum 50 a approaches the effective position, the heating unit 170 is moved from the retracted position towards the advanced position, and at the same time with the arrival of the cylindrical film holding drum 50 a , the pusher head 171 of the heating unit 170 is against the cylindrical drum 50 a pressed to melt-bond the overlapping ends F ₁ and F ₂ to complete the formation of the film tube Fa as shown in Figs. 7 (a) and 7 (b).

As in one of the embodiments described above, after the formation of the film tube Fa, the cylindrical film holding drum 50 a is pulled downward, leaving the film tube Fa in such a way that it surrounds the container Xa , and the container Xa wrapped with the film tube Fa becomes subsequently transferred to the heat treatment station via the dispensing station, at which it is brought onto the dispensing chute 233 by the rotary table device 10 by means of the dispensing transport wheel 230 . It should be noted that shortly before the downward movement of the cylindrical film holding drum 50 a after the formation of the film tube Fa, the connection between the suction openings 51 and 52 and the vacuum source is interrupted.

It should be noted that instead of the cylindrical film holding drum 50 a similar film holding drums with a generally rectangular or square cross-sectional shape can be used if the containers to be wrapped with the heat-shrinkable film have a generally rectangular or square cross-section.

Various changes are within the scope of the invention possible.

Claims (5)

1. Foil winding machine for sequential wrapping of foils ( F ) around objects ( X ) such that a Fo lienschlauch ( Fa ) is formed, which surrounds each object, comprising
a turntable device ( 10 ) which is supported for rotation in one direction about a support shaft ( 11 ) and which can be moved back and forth during a complete revolution from an article feed station ( 200 ) to a film feed station ( 212 ) and an article discharge station ( 230 ), all stations being arranged close to the periphery of the turntable device,
a plurality of article carriers ( 30 ) which are provided in the rotary table device on a peripheral part thereof for rotation together with the rotary table device around the support shaft, the article carriers being arranged at equal distances from one another in the circumferential direction of the rotary table device and each rotary table carrier being the one concerned Can carry the object during the rotation of the turntable, and
an article supply unit ( 201 ) arranged at the article supply station for successively bringing the articles onto respective article carriers in the turntable device when the turntable device arrives at the article supply station during its rotation, characterized by the following features:
a film holding part ( 50 ) provided for each object carrier ( 30 ) and near the object carrier for rotation about an axis parallel to the support shaft ( 11 ) between an ineffective and an effective position and also for movement in a direction parallel to the support shaft between a raised and a lower position is supported and has suction openings ( 51 , 52 ) in the form of at least a front row and a rear row, the front suction opening row and the rear suction opening row are provided at a predetermined distance from one another in one direction, which coincides with the direction of rotation of the film holding part, the front row of suction openings can hold the front end ( F ₁ ) of the film ( F ) under the effect of a suction force, while the rear row of suction openings the rear end ( F ₂ ) of the film under the Can hold the effect of suction, and the film holding part around the assigned object ( X ) the object carrier can only be rotated from the inactive position towards the active position after it has been moved from the lower position towards the raised position,
the film feed station ( 212 ) has a film feed unit for feeding the film onto the film holding part in question, each time the turntable device is brought to the film feed station, the film holding part is moved from the lower position into the raised position when the turntable device arrives at the film feed station , such that the front end of the film can be sucked from the front row of suction openings under the action of suction, the film with its front end sucked through the front row of suction openings is wrapped around the outside of the associated object when the film holding part comes out of the inactive position is rotated towards the effective position and the film is wrapped completely around the associated object, while a part of the film near the rear end is sucked by the rear row of Saugöff openings, thereby allowing the rear end of the front end overlaps,
a heating unit ( 170 ) is provided for each article carrier and carried by the turntable for movement between an advanced and a retracted position in a direction close to and away from the associated article on the article carrier, the heating unit in question from the retracted position to advanced position together with the movement of the assigned film holding part is moved from the inactive position to the active position and the heating unit, when it is moved to the advanced position, is pressed against the assigned film holding part, with the overlapping ends of the film all around the object is melt bonded to complete a film tube ( Fa ), and
an article dispensing unit ( 230 ) provided at the article dispensing station for sequentially removing the film-wrapped articles from the associated article carriers when the rotary table device is brought to the article dispensing station during its continued rotation. 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the film holding part has a film holding spatula ( 50 ) in which a cavity is formed and which can be connected to a vacuum source Va, and in that the front row and the rear row of the suction openings ( 51 , 52 ) are formed in connection with the cavity on a surface of the foil holding spatula, in a direction opposite to the associated object ( X ). 3. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the foil holding spatula ( 50 ) has two generally strip-like plates ( 53 , 55 ) which are connected to each other with facing surfaces, one ( 55 ) of the plates we at least one recess formed in it ( 54 ), while the other ( 53 ) of the plates has the rows of suction openings ( 51 , 52 ), and that the recess bil det the cavity when the plates are connected. 4. Foil winding machine for successive wrapping of foils ( F ) around objects ( X ) such that a Fo lienschlauch (Fa) is formed, which surrounds each object, comprising
a turntable device ( 10 ) which is supported for rotation in one direction about a support shaft ( 11 ) and which can be moved back and forth during a complete revolution from an article feed station ( 200 ) to a film feed station ( 212 ) and an article discharge station ( 230 ), all stations being arranged close to the periphery of the turntable device,
a plurality of article carriers ( 30 ) which are provided in the rotary table device on a peripheral part thereof for rotation together with the rotary table device around the support shaft, the article carriers being arranged at equal distances from one another in the circumferential direction of the rotary table device and each rotary table carrier being the one concerned Can carry the object during the rotation of the turntable, and
an article supply unit ( 201 ) arranged at the article supply station for successively bringing the articles onto respective article carriers in the turntable device when the turntable device arrives at the article supply station during its rotation, characterized by the following features:
a film holding part ( 50 ) provided for each object carrier ( 30 ) and near the object carrier for rotation about an axis parallel to the support shaft ( 11 ) between an ineffective and an effective position and also for movement in a direction parallel to the support shaft between a raised and a lower position is supported and has suction openings ( 51 , 52 ) in the form of at least a front row and a rear row, the front suction opening row and the rear suction opening row are provided at a predetermined distance from one another in one direction, which coincides with the direction of rotation of the film holding part, the front row of suction openings can hold the front end ( F ₁ ) of the film ( F ) under the effect of a suction force, while the rear row of suction openings the rear end ( F ₂ ) of the film under the Can hold the effect of suction, and the film holding part around the assigned object ( X ) the object carrier can only be rotated from the inactive position towards the active position after it has been moved from the lower position towards the raised position,
a plurality of foldable or foldable straightening parts ( 61 to 64 ) for each film holding part, which are similar in shape to the shape of the film holding part, the foldable erecting parts for each film holding part are supported for movement together with the associated film holding part, but in the folded or folded position are held when the assigned film holding part is in the lower position and also in the ineffective position, the foldable erection parts are unfolded or unfolded when the assigned film holding part moves from the ineffective position towards the active position around the assigned object ( Xa) is moved around, and the foldable erecting parts, when folded out, are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the assigned object in order to support the film which is wound around the outside of the assigned object,
a film feed unit, which is arranged on the film feed station ( 212 ) in order to guide the film onto the film holding part in question, each time the turntable device ( 10 ) is brought to the film feed station, the film holding part together with the foldable erecting parts upon arrival of the turntable device at the film supply station is moved from the lower position into the raised position, such that the front end ( F ₁ ) of the film ( F ) can be sucked in from the front row of suction openings ( 51 ) under the action of the suction force, the film with its front end, which is sucked in by the front row of suction openings, is wrapped around the associated object in contact with the foldable erecting parts when the film holding part is rotated from the inactive position towards the active position, and the film is completely around the assigned object is wrapped, with part of the film near the rear end ( F ₂ ) is sucked in by the rear row of suction openings ( 52 ) so that the rear end can overlap the front end,
a heating unit ( 170 ) provided for each article carrier and carried by the turntable means for movement between an advanced and a retracted position in a direction close to and away from the associated article on the article carrier, the heating unit in question from the retracted position is moved into the advanced position together with the movement of the associated film holding part from the inactive position into the active position, and the heating unit, when it is moved into the advanced position, is pressed against the associated film holding part so that the overlapping ends of the film round to be melt bonded together to complete a foil hose (Fa) , and
an article dispensing unit ( 230 ) disposed at the article dispensing station for sequentially removing the articles with the film tube concerned from the associated article carriers when the rotary table device is brought to the article dispensing station during its continued rotation. 5. Foil winding machine for sequential wrapping of foils ( F ) around objects ( X ) in such a way that a foil tube (Fa) is formed, which surrounds each object, comprising
a turntable device ( 10 ) which is supported for rotation in one direction about a support shaft ( 11 ) and which can be moved back and forth during a complete revolution from an article feed station ( 200 ) to a film feed station ( 212 ) and an article discharge station ( 230 ), all stations being arranged close to the periphery of the turntable device,
a plurality of article carriers ( 30 ) which are provided in the rotary table device on a peripheral part thereof for rotation together with the rotary table device around the support shaft, the article carriers being arranged at equal distances from one another in the circumferential direction of the rotary table device and each rotary table carrier being the one concerned Can carry the object during the rotation of the turntable, and
an article supply unit ( 201 ) arranged at the article supply station for successively bringing the articles onto respective article carriers in the turntable device when the turntable device arrives at the article supply station during its rotation, characterized by the following features:
a film holding drum ( 50 a ) for each object carrier ( 30 ), the carrier in the vicinity of the object in question for rotation about an axis parallel to the support shaft ( 11 ) between an ineffective and an effective position and also for movement in a direction parallel to the support Wave is supported between a raised and a lower position and suction openings ( 51 , 52 ) has in a least least a front row and a rear row, the front suction opening row and the rear suction opening row in the circumferential direction of the drum were arranged in a predetermined distance from each other, which front row of suction openings can hold the front end ( F ₁ ) of the associated film ( F ) under the action of a suction force, while the rear row of suction openings can hold the rear end ( F ₂ ) of the film ( F ) under the action of a suction force, and the film holding drum around the assigned object on the object carriers from the ineffective position g can only be rotated towards the active position after it has been moved from the lower position towards the raised position,
a film feed unit ( 210 , 215 ) is arranged at the film feed station ( 212 ) to guide the film onto the film holding member concerned each time the turntable means is brought to the film feed station, the film holding drum from the lower position to the raised position When the turntable device arrives at the film feed station, such that the front end of the film can be sucked in from the front row of suction openings under the action of the suction force, the film is wrapped around the associated film holding drum with its front end sucked in by the front row of suction openings is when the film holding drum is rotated ge from the ineffective position towards the effective position, and the film is completely wrapped around the assigned film holding drum, part of the film being sucked in near the rear end by the rear row of suction openings so that the rear end is the front end overlap,
a heating unit ( 170 ) for each article carrier carried by the turntable means for moving between an advanced and a retracted position in a direction close to and away from the associated article on the article carrier, relate to the heating unit from the retracted position in the before pushed position is moved, together with the movement of the associated film holding drum from the inactive position into the active position, and the heating unit, when it is moved to the advanced position, is pressed against the assigned film holding drum, the overlapping ends of the film around the film holding drum by fusion bonding to form a film tube (Fa) , and
an article delivery unit ( 230 ) disposed at the article delivery station for sequentially removing the articles with the film tube from the associated article carriers when the turntable device is brought to the article delivery station during its continued rotation.