Automatic wrapping machine and methods of use for soft items

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to automatic wrapping machines and in particular the disclosure is directed to a machine for wrapping soft enrobed food items with discrete wrapping sheets.

1 . A package wrapping machine for encasing a package with wrapping material comprising in combination;
 a. a first conveyor means for supporting the package and conveying it from the package's loading zone;   b. a package dispensing means for depositing the package within a mold;   c. a second conveyor means for supporting a plurality of a wrapping material sheets and transporting the plurality of wrapping material sheets to the mold;   d. a wrapping dispensing means for the plurality of wrapping material sheets each sheet having a substantially consistent dimensions, wherein the dispensing means for the plurality of wrapping material sheets being operably coupled to the mold and configured to couple the sheet to the mold, leaving a margin amount of wrapping sheet; and folding each of the wrapping sheet margin over the package;   e. an impeller, configured to insert a portion of each of the wrapping material sheets into the mold;   f. the mold configured to: receive and selectably engage each of the plurality of wrapping material sheets; receive and selectably engage the package; and transport a wrapped package onto a third conveyor means; and   g. the third conveyor means for supporting the wrapped package and optionally conveying it to a boxing zone.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a soft, chocolate enrobed food item. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the soft, chocolate enrobed food item is a flat base round nose bullet shape item, having a substantially soft core over a substantially hard baked item base. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the package dispensing means for depositing the package within the mold is configured to flip the package upside down. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 4  wherein the mold comprises a housing having an apical aperture; an internal cavity having a floor substantially complementary to the round nose, the cavity configured to accommodate the package; and a bore defined in the floor of the mold. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 5 , wherein the bore is operably coupled to a vacuum source. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of wrapping material sheets is a quadrilateral metalized laminate film. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 7 , wherein the packaging dispensing means is configured to cover the apical aperture of the mold with a wrapping material sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 8 , wherein the mold is configured receive and selectably engage each of the plurality of wrapping material sheets by applying vacuum to the mold. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 9 , wherein the mold is configured to transport a wrapped package onto the third conveyor means by maneuvering the mold housing aperture above the third conveyor means. 
     
     
         11 . A method of wrapping a package with a discrete wrapping material comprising:
 a. providing a packaging machine comprising, in combination: a first conveyor means for supporting the package and conveying it from the package's loading zone; a package dispensing means for depositing the package within a mold; a second conveyor means for supporting a plurality of a wrapping material sheets and transporting the plurality of wrapping material sheets to the mold; a wrapping dispensing means for the plurality of wrapping material sheets each sheet having a substantially consistent dimensions, wherein the dispensing means for the plurality of wrapping material sheets being operably coupled to the mold and configured to couple the sheet to the mold, leaving a margin amount of wrapping sheet; and folding each of the wrapping sheet margin over the package; an impeller, configured to insert a portion of each of the wrapping material sheets into the mold; the mold configured to: receive and selectably engage each of the plurality of wrapping material sheets; receive and selectably engage the package; and transport a wrapped package onto a third conveyor means; and the third conveyor means for supporting the wrapped package and optionally conveying it to a boxing zone;   b. using the first conveyor means, transporting the package toward the mold;   c. using the second conveyor means, transporting the plurality of wrapping material sheets to the wrapping dispensing means;   d. using the wrapping dispensing means coupling a wrapping sheet to the mold;   e. using the impeller, conforming the wrapping sheet to the mold;   f. using the package dispensing means, depositing the package into the mold;   g. folding the margin amount of wrapping sheet over the packaging, forming a wrapped package; and   h. depositing the wrapped package onto the third conveyor means.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the package comprises a soft, chocolate enrobed food item. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the soft, chocolate enrobed food item is a flat base round nose bullet shape item, having a substantially soft core over a substantially hard baked item. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mold comprises a housing having an apical aperture; an internal cavity having a floor substantially complementary to the round nose, the cavity configured to accommodate the package; and a bore defined in the floor, the bore coupled to vacuum means. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of coupling the wrapping sheet to the mold using the wrapping sheets dispensing means comprises sealingly covering the mold aperture with the wrapping sheet. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of conforming the wrapping sheet to the mold further comprises drawing vacuum to the mold cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of depositing the package into the mold comprises flipping the flat base round nose item upside down into the mold. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of conforming the wrapping sheet to the mold and the step of depositing the package into the mold occurs substantially coincidental. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of depositing the wrapped package onto the third conveyor means comprises:
 a. vertically rotating the mold; and   b. releasing the food package.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of wrapping material sheets is a quadrilateral metalized laminate film.