Cutting wrapping film on a lap seal machine

Abstract

In a lap seal machine there is a need to provide a predetermined length of film for wrapping a product. This is accomplished by cutting a predetermined length of film while wrapping an article with the film. The wrapping is done by a fly bar that stops after a predetermined length is pulled. The stopped film is then cut by a knife.

1 . An apparatus for film wrapping an article comprising
 means for pushing a flap of the film onto a first conveyor,   a second conveyor,   means for placing an article on the flap,   means for picking up the film from behind the article and moving the film over the article,   means for stopping the movement of the film over the article when a predetermined length has been pulled,   means for cutting the predetermined length of film needed to wrap said article after the film has stopped,   means for continuing the movement of the film over the article whereby the film is pushed into slot, between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and   means for heat shrinking the film around the article.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for pushing a flap of the film onto a first conveyor are feed rollers 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  where in the means for picking up the film from behind the article and moving the film over the article is a fly bar 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for stopping the movement of the film includes means for stopping the feed roller, flybar and first conveyor 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  including means for overlapping the film around the article by transferring the article from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. 
     
     
         6 . A process for film wrapping an article comprising
 pushing a flap of the film onto a first conveyor,   positioning a second conveyor next to the first conveyor to form a slot,   placing an article on the flap,   picking up the film from behind the article and moving the film over the article,   stopping the movement of the film over the article,   cutting the stopped film to providing a predetermined length of film needed to wrap said article continuing the movement of the film over the article and into the slot between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and   heat shrinking the film   
     
     
         7 . A process according to  claim 6  wherein the film is overlapped by transferring the article form the first conveyor to the second conveyor. 
     
     
         8 . A process according to  claim 6  where the film is picked up by a flybar. 
     
     
         9 . . A process according to  claim 8  wherein the first conveyor and flybar and feed rollers are stopped to prevent the movement of the film. 
     
     
         10 . A process according to  claim 8  wherein the first conveyor and the fly bar start moving to continue the movement of the stopped film.