Apparatus for Wrapping a Napkin Around One or More Silverwares

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to an assembling apparatus, and more particularly, to an automated wrapping apparatus for wrapping one or more silverwares into napkin or napkin. The apparatus ( 100 ) comprises a napkin holding structure ( 104 ) configured to hold a plurality of napkins ( 105 ), a napkin suction table ( 106 ) mounted above the napkin holding structure ( 104 ) for transporting one of the plurality of napkins ( 105 ) from the napkin holding structure ( 104 ) to a folding platform ( 107 ). A plurality of dispensers ( 108 ) is also provided and is being adapted to hold one or more silverware ( 102 ) and dispense one of the one or more silverware ( 102 ) mounted above the folding platform ( 107 ). The apparatus ( 100 ) is further provided with a rolling device ( 110 ) below a folding platform ( 107 ) for rolling the napkin ( 101 ) with the one or more silverware ( 102 ). Also, at least one sterilizing means is configured in the plurality of dispensers ( 108 ) for sterilizing the one or more silverware ( 102 ) prior to wrapping in the napkin ( 101 ).

1 . An apparatus ( 100 ) for wrapping a napkin ( 101 ) around one or more silverware ( 102 ),
 the apparatus ( 100 ) comprising:
 a napkin holding structure ( 104 ) configured to hold a plurality of napkins ( 105 ); 
 a napkin suction table ( 106 ) mounted above the napkin holding structure ( 104 ) for transporting one of the plurality of napkins ( 105 ) from the napkin holding structure ( 104 ) to a folding platform ( 107 ); 
 a plurality of dispensers ( 108 ) being adapted to hold one or more silverware ( 102 ) and dispense one of the one or more silverware ( 102 ) mounted above the folding platform ( 107 ); 
 a rolling device ( 110 ) provided below a folding platform ( 107 ) for rolling the napkin ( 101 ) with the one or more silverware ( 102 ); and 
   a sterilizing means configured in the plurality of dispensers ( 108 ) for sterilizing the one or more silverware ( 102 ) prior to wrapping in the napkin ( 101 ).   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more silverware ( 102 ) is selected from a group comprising forks, spoons, knifes and chopsticks. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sterilizing means is selected from a group comprising heating elements ( 109 ) and ultraviolet tubes ( 108   c ). 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heating elements ( 109 ) are configured around outer surface of the dispensers ( 108   a  and  108   b ) and are heated up to about 180° F. for sterilizing the one or more silverware. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1  is provided with a metallic frame ( 114 ) to support components of the apparatus ( 100 ). 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the folding platform ( 107 ) is located below the plurality of dispensers ( 108 ) and configured into a first portion ( 107   a ) and a second portion ( 107   b ) for folding the napkin. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the second portion ( 107   b ) is configured into folding sectors ( 107   c  and  107   d ) and a non-folding sector ( 107   e ). 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of napkins ( 105 ) is made of material selected from paper and fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1  comprises a housing ( 111 ) for holding the rolled silverware-napkin set ( 101 ). 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1  comprises a duct ( 112 ) connected to the housing ( 111 ) for transporting the rolled silverware-napkin set ( 101 ) to a collection box ( 113 ). 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1  comprises a microcontroller for controlling the operations of the apparatus ( 100 ). 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating the apparatus ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising acts of:
 moving the napkin holding structure ( 104 ) with preloaded napkins upwards to touch bottom of the napkin suction table ( 106 ), wherein the napkin suction table ( 106 ) provides suction power to pick up one napkin ( 101 ) at a time;   moving the napkin suction table ( 106 ) for placing the picked napkin ( 101 ) onto the folding platform ( 107 );   moving the napkin suction table ( 106 ) back to position above the napkin holding structure ( 104 );   performing a first fold on the napkin ( 101 ) for placing predetermined set of silverwares ( 102 );   positioning the plurality of the dispensers ( 108 ) to dispense pre-sterilized set of silverwares ( 102 ) from each of the plurality of the dispensers ( 108 ), wherein the heating elements ( 109 ) present in the plurality of the dispensers ( 108 ) sterilizes the silverwares ( 102 ) by heating the silverwares ( 102 ) to a predetermined temperature;   dispensing sterilized set of the silverwares ( 102 ) onto the folded napkin ( 101 );   performing folds of the napkin ( 101 ) after dispensing sterilized set of silverwares ( 102 ) on the napkin ( 101 ) using folding sectors ( 107   a );   rolling the napkin ( 101 ) consisting sterilized silverwares ( 105 ) using a rolling device ( 110 ); and   moving the rolled silverware-napkin set to the housing ( 111 ).   
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus ( 100 ) is controlled automatically using a microcontroller installed in the apparatus ( 100 ). 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the rolling device ( 110 ) is raised up to the folding platform ( 107 ) after dropping the rolled silverware-napkin set in the housing ( 111 ) in order to receive next folded silverware-napkin set for rolling. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the rolled silverware napkin set is wrapped with a predesigned band or predesigned ribbon.