Packing procedure and machine for putting into practice thereof

Abstract

A process for pallet packaging includes steps of maintaining the pallet stationary, and subjecting a spool supplying the packing film to a movement around the pallet of rectangular trajectory, whereby in each cycle or turn of the spool four segments of rectilinear displacement are defined therefor related one to another through orthogonal inflections, and whereby the pressure of the film is maintained constant throughout the wrapping, avoiding risks of the same being torn. The spool is mounted on a headstock in association directly or indirectly with the free extremity of the multiple articulated arm of a robot, with an operating program developed for the aforementioned movements.

1 .- Procedure for packing, which being specially conceived to provide a pallet with its load with a wrapping based on plastic foil or film which suitably stabilises said load during subsequent handling of the pallet during transportation thereof and being of the type in which the pallet with its load is maintained stationary during the packing, consisting in subjecting the headstock ( 4 ) supporting the spool ( 2 ) of the film to a cyclic motion of trajectory parallel to the outline of the pallet ( 1 ), that is having a rectangular trajectory, in which consequently are defined in each cycle four segments of rectilinear displacement, related to each other by orthogonal inflections, is characterised in that the headstock ( 4 ) bearing the support for the spool ( 2 ) of the film is supported and manipulated by means of a robot ( 6 ) provided with a multiple and articulated arm ( 7 ), extremity of the headstock which can be submitted to a vertical movement and another gyratory in order to adapt to the pallet, all this such that the exit tension of the film ( 5 ) from said headstock proves constant throughout the packing and the tension also is constant with which said film is adapted both to the faces and practically to the edges of the pallet-load assembly, there being no lack of uniformity of stretching and tension in the film which could produce tearing therein.  
     
     
         2 .- Machine for the putting into practice of the procedure of the first claim, of the type of those which incorporate a base on which the pallet stands, like for example a bed of rollers which permit the delivery and removal thereof, base on which the pallet is maintained stationary during the packing in order that a headstock feeding plastic film ( 5 ) from a spool be displaced around said pallet, characterised in that as means for supporting and manipulating the aforementioned headstock ( 4 ) a robot ( 6 ) is employed, with a program developed for the movements of the packing operation, provided with a multiple and articulated arm ( 7 ) to which said headstock ( 4 ) is directly or indirectly attached.  
     
     
         3 .- Machine, in accordance with  claim 2 , characterised in that the articulated arm ( 7 ) of the robot ( 6 ) is terminated in a vertical guide rail ( 9 ) for the displacement of the spool-bearing headstock ( 4 ), in such a manner that whilst the robot ( 6 ) provides said headstock ( 4 ) with the annular motion around the pallet ( 1 ), the vertical displacement of the headstock for the helical wrapping of the film ( 5 ) is achieved by the displacement of said headstock ( 4 ) on the aforementioned guide rail ( 9 ).  
     
     
         4 .- Machine, in accordance with  claim 2 , characterised in that the articulated arm ( 7 ) of the robot ( 6 ) provides the spool-bearing headstock ( 4 ) with both the motion around the pallet ( 1 ) and its displacement in the vertical direction.  
     
     
         5 .- Machine, in accordance with  claim 2 , characterised in that the spool-bearing headstock ( 4 ) is provided with means for tilting ( 10 ) which permit it to adopt an inclined disposition for the wrapping of the “fifth face” or top base of the pallet ( 1 ) with its load.  
     
     
         6 .- Machine, in accordance with  claim 2 , characterised in that the headstock ( 4 ) supplier of the film ( 5 ) incorporates, for the pre-stretching thereof, between the pertinent spool ( 2 ) and the exit roller ( 11 ) towards the pallet ( 1 ), a further two rollers ( 12 ) motor-driven and substantially close to each other, with distinct and adjustable speeds.