Method and apparatus for fabricating stretch film rolls

Abstract

An apparatus for fabricating stretch film rolls comprises a first plurality of cutting blades configured to be oscillated, and a second plurality of cutting blades configured to be oscillated independently of the first plurality of cutting blades. The first and second pluralities of cutting blades are configured for cutting a stretch film web into one or more stretch film web sections each having at least one non-linear longitudinal edge. The apparatus also comprises a driven winding shaft for winding the one or more stretch film web sections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for fabricating stretch film rolls, comprising:
 a first plurality of cutting blades configured to be oscillated;   a second plurality of cutting blades configured to be oscillated independently of the first plurality of cutting blades, the first and second pluralities of cutting blades being configured for cutting a stretch film web into one or more stretch film web sections each having at least one non-linear longitudinal edge; and   a driven winding shaft for winding the one or more stretch film web sections.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each stretch film web section has a variable width. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second pluralities of cutting blades are configured to be oscillated in an asymmetric manner. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each stretch film web section has a constant width. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second pluralities of cutting blades are configured to be oscillated in a symmetric manner. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of cutting blades is configured to be oscillated by a first linear oscillating device, and the second plurality of cutting blades is configured to be oscillated by a second linear oscillating device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein one or both of the first linear oscillating device and the second linear oscillating device is selected from the group consisting of: a servomotor; an electric motor; and a conventional electric motor configured to drive an eccentric cam. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each plurality of cutting blades is configured to be oscillated along an axis that is generally orthogonal to a direction of travel of the stretch film web. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second pluralities of cutting blades are configured to be oscillated along the same axis. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one plurality of cutting blades is configured to be oscillated over a fixed distance. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one plurality of cutting blades is configured to be oscillated over a variable distance. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one plurality of cutting blades is configured to be oscillated at a fixed frequency. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one plurality of cutting blades is configured to be oscillated at a variable frequency. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a roller positioned adjacent the winding shaft, a wound surface of the one or more stretch film web sections being in contact with a surface of the roller. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the roller is configured as a driven roller. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the roller is configured as an idler roller. 
     
     
         17 . A method for fabricating stretch film rolls, comprising:
 providing a stretch film web;   cutting the stretch film web into one or more stretch film web sections using a first plurality of cutting blades configured to be oscillated and a second plurality of cutting blades configured to be oscillated independently of the first plurality of cutting blades, the one or more stretch film web sections each having at least one non-linear longitudinal edge; and   winding the one or more stretch film web sections.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the winding further comprises winding each stretch film web section onto a core. 
     
     
         19 . A method for cutting stretch film during fabrication of stretch film rolls, comprising:
 cutting a stretch film web using a first plurality of cutting blades and a second plurality of cutting blades into one or more stretch film web sections each having at least one non-linear longitudinal edge, the cutting blades being oscillated during said cutting, the second plurality of cutting blades being configured to be oscillated independently of the first plurality of cutting blades.