Apparatus, method, and system for wrapping a wrapping material, a wrapping device, and a control unit

Abstract

An apparatus for wrapping a wrapping material, which is arranged to run around a wrapping track, includes an assembly and a discharge arrangement at least partly fitted to the assembly for a wrapping-material source. The discharge arrangement includes a support-element arrangement for the wrapping-material source, from which the wrapping material is arranged to be discharged, and drive means arranged to act on the wrapping-material source, in order to maintain the tension in the wrapping material that is discharged from the wrapping-material source. The tension of the wrapping material, from which a tension value as a source of feedback is provided to the drive means, is detected from the discharge arrangement. In addition, a method and system for wrapping a wrapping material, a wrapping device and a control unit are disclosed.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for wrapping a wrapping material, which is arranged to run around a wrapping track, the apparatus comprising:
 an assembly, and   a discharge arrangement at least partly fitted to the assembly for a wrapping-material source, the discharge arrangement including
 a support-element arrangement for the wrapping-material source, from which the wrapping material is arranged to be discharged, 
 drive means arranged to act on the wrapping-material source, in order to maintain tension in the wrapping material that is discharged from the wrapping-material source, 
   
       wherein the tension of the wrapping material provides a tension value as a source of feedback to the drive means, and is arranged to be detected from the discharge arrangement. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the feedback is internal. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the drive means includes an operating device and a control unit of the operating device and in which the tension of the wrapping material is arranged to be detected from an actual value of a current of the operating device. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the operating device is arranged to act on the wrapping-material source through the support-element arrangement. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the operating device is arranged to act on the surface of the wrapping-material source through a pressure-roll arrangement. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the feedback is external and the apparatus includes sensoring fitted in connection with the support-element arrangement. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the wrapping material is arranged to be led to a piece to be wrapped through a guide arrangement, in which one change of direction is arranged to be achieved in the wrapping material. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the guide arrangement includes one deflector roll. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein feedback to the control unit is arranged from a diameter of the wrapping-material source. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the control unit of the drive means is remotely located from the apparatus. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the wrapping track is arranged to form a guide for the apparatus, and the apparatus includes elements to be fitted into the guide of the wrapping track. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the wrapping track is closable and openable. 
     
     
         30 . A method for wrapping a wrapping material, the method comprising the steps of:
 discharging the wrapping material from a wrapping-material source by means of a discharge arrangement running around a wrapping track,   determining an amount of tension in the wrapping material from the discharge arrangement while discharging the wrapping material from the wrapping-material source, and   maintaining the tension of the wrapping material being discharged from the wrapping-material source on the basis of the determination.   
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , including the step of leading the wrapping material through one change in direction to a piece to be wrapped. 
     
     
         32 . A wrapping device, comprising:
 a wrapping track, and   the wrapping apparatus according to  claim 18  arranged to run around the wrapping track.   
     
     
         33 . A system for wrapping a wrapping material, in which the wrapping material is arranged to be wrapped by means of an apparatus, which is arranged to run around the wrapping track, the system comprising:
 an assembly,   a discharge arrangement fitted to the assembly for the wrapping-material source, the discharge arrangement including
 a support-element arrangement for the wrapping-material source, from which the wrapping material is arranged to be discharged, 
 an operating device arranged to act on the wrapping-material source, in order to maintain tension in the wrapping material that is discharged from the wrapping-material source, and 
   a control unit arranged to control the operating device and to detect the tension of the wrapping material which provides a tension value as a source of feedback to the control unit of the operating device.   
     
     
         34 . A control unit for a wrapping apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the control unit controls operation of an operating device, which is arranged to act on the wrapping-material source in order to maintain the tension of the wrapping material that is discharged from the wrapping-material source, and the control unit detects the tension of the wrapping material.