Package wrapping method and apparatus

Abstract

A semi-automatic gift or package wrapping method and apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a machine frame that provides a work surface with measuring and wrapping sections. A sheet feed and cutting mechanism feeds paper from a role in two steps with a time pause in between for enabling a user or operator to partially wrap the package with part of the first section of dispensed paper web. Thereafter, the second section of paper web is dispensed and the web cut transversely at a trailing edge. Multiple selectable supply rolls are optionally provided, or a single roll machine can be used. Longitudinal cutters trim the sides of the paper to obtain a custom desired width for the full cut sheet. A user interface display controls machine functions such as start, continue and sheeter. In the sheeter mode, a selected number of sheets of a selected size can be dispensed and cut for use at another workstation to warp other boxes of known uniform size (i.e. shirt boxes at a department store).

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A package wrapping apparatus for wrapping packages of random sizes, comprising: 
 a) a frame;    b) a work surface supported by the frame that holds one or more paper supply rolls;    c) a measuring station at the work surface that measures a package to be wrapped, the measuring station including a stop that enables a user to manually place each package of a series of packages in the same place each time a package is to be measured;    d) a user interface display that includes a keypad with a plurality of keys for initiating measuring, sheet feeding, and sheet cutting operations;    e) a plurality of cutters that include longitudinal and transverse cutters for cutting a sheet of paper to be used for wrapping a package as part of said cutting operation;    f) rollers for feeding a web of paper from the paper supply roll; and    g) an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the cutter positions relative to the paper supply roll so that a sheet can be cut from the web that is of a selected size and shape that is large enough to envelop the package to be wrapped absent substantial waste.    
   
   
       22 . The package wrapping apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the stop includes a pair of stop members that engage two side walls of the package to be measured at positions spaced about ninety degrees apart.  
   
   
       23 . The package wrapping apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the paper web includes two sections that are fed by the rollers one section at a time.  
   
   
       24 . The package wrapping apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the user interface display has a continue key that must be depressed to initiate feeding of the second section.  
   
   
       25 . A package wrapping machine for wrapping boxes of random, unknown sizes, comprising: 
 a) a frame having a work surface with measuring and wrapping sections and at least one roll of wrapping paper mounted on the frame to unwind a paper web therefrom;    b) an index position on the work surface measuring section for accepting a box of an unknown size and determining the dimensions thereof;    c) cutters for cutting a sheet of paper from the roll both longitudinally and transversely to provide a full cut sheet that has a leading edge and a trailing edge having dimensions adequate to wrap the box;    d) a user interface display having keys that initiate measurement of the box and feeding of the roll by dispensing only a first, partial section of the full cut sheet, the user interface display having a key that must be pressed to initiate feeding of a second section of the full cut sheet so that the box can be partially, manually wrapped after the first partial section is dispensed and before the second section is dispensed.    
   
   
       26 . The machine of  claim 25  further including a plurality of rolls of paper supported by the frame, and means for selecting a particular roll for wrapping a particular box.  
   
   
       27 . The machine of  claim 25  in which the measuring section further comprising multiple means for determining the length, width and height of the box as it is being positioned.  
   
   
       28 - 36 . (canceled)