Wrapping head for wrapping loads, particularly palletized loads, and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A wrapping head for wrapping loads, particularly palletized loads, including a framework, connectable to the operating end of a handler, and supporting a reel of film made of extensible material, and diverting means, for transferring the film, unwound from the reel, towards the load. The head also includes means for cutting the film, along its feed direction, so as to obtain a first portion of film and a second portion of film that are distinct and separate from each other, and deflection means for the first portion of film, suitable to superimpose the first portion on the second portion, thus attaining, at the outlet of said wrapping head, a double-layer material band.

1 . A wrapping head for wrapping loads, particularly palletized loads, comprising a framework, connectable to the operating end of a handler, and supporting a reel of film made of extensible material, and diverting means for transferring the film, unwound from the reel, towards the load, further comprising means for cutting the film, along its feed direction, so as to obtain a first portion of film and a second portion of film that are distinct and separate from each other, and deflection means for the first portion of film, suitable to move said first portion, parallel to itself, in order to at least partly superimpose said first portion on said second portion. 
     
     
         2 . The wrapping head according to  claim 1 , wherein said deflection means are provided with adjustment means for partly or completely superimposing the first portion on the second portion, thus attaining, at the outlet of said wrapping head, a band of material that is partly or completely double-layer. 
     
     
         3 . The wrapping head according to  claim 1 , wherein said deflection means comprise a first deflector and a second deflector, around which the first portion of the film is wound. 
     
     
         4 . The wrapping head according to  claim 3 , wherein said first deflector is configured so as to deflect the first portion of the film from a first feed direction to an intermediate feed direction which is tilted, with respect to said first feed direction, by a first deflection angle. 
     
     
         5 . The wrapping head according to  claim 4 , wherein said second deflector is configured so as to further deflect the first portion of the film from said intermediate feed direction to a second feed direction which is tilted, with respect to said intermediate feed direction, by a second deflection angle, said second feed direction substantially corresponding to the feed direction of the second portion of film. 
     
     
         6 . The wrapping head according to  claim 5 , wherein said first deflection angle and said second deflection angle are substantially equal and with opposite sign. 
     
     
         7 . The wrapping head according to  claim 6 , wherein said first deflection angle is substantially equal to 90° and said second deflection angle is substantially equal to −90°. 
     
     
         8 . The wrapping head according to  claim 4 , wherein said first deflector has essentially elongated shape, and it defines a respective first longitudinal axis tilted, with respect to said first feed direction, by a first tilt angle. 
     
     
         9 . The wrapping head according to  claim 8 , wherein said second deflector has essentially elongated shape, and it defines a respective second longitudinal axis tilted, with respect to said intermediate feed direction, by a second tilt angle. 
     
     
         10 . The wrapping head according to  claim 9 , wherein said first tilt angle is substantially equal to half the supplementary angle of the first deflection angle and wherein said second tilt angle is substantially equal to half the supplementary angle of the second deflection angle. 
     
     
         11 . The wrapping head according to  claim 10 , wherein said first tilt angle is substantially equal to 45° and said second tilt angle is substantially equal to −45°. 
     
     
         12 . The wrapping head according to  claim 4 , wherein said deflection means can be activated or deactivated in a selective manner during the operation of said head, so as to select carrying out a normal single-layer wrapping cycle, or a double-layer wrapping cycle. 
     
     
         13 . The wrapping head according to  claim 12 , wherein said second deflector is selectively movable between a first position, in which it does not carry out any deflection of the first portion of the film, and a second position, in which it carries out the deflection of the first portion of film, so as to bring the first portion to be superimposed on the second portion, thus attaining, at the outlet of said wrapping head, a band of double-layer material. 
     
     
         14 . The wrapping head according to  claim 13 , wherein the passage of said second deflector from said first position to said second position, and vice versa, occurs by means of a rigid translation of said second deflector according to a direction parallel to the symmetry axis of the reel of film. 
     
     
         15 . The wrapping head according to  claim 14 , wherein said deflection means comprise translation means for translating said second deflector, between said first position and second position, said translation means comprising a guide member fixed to said framework, to which a slider is in turn connected in a slidable manner, said slider associated with said deflector, said slider being actuated to slide along said guide member by linear actuation means. 
     
     
         16 . The wrapping head according to  claim 3 , wherein said first deflector is selectively movable between an inactive position and an operative position, such that when said first deflector is situated in said inactive position, the wrapping head can be used according to a conventional use mode, in which the film is wound, around the load, in a single layer, while when said first deflector is situated in said operative position, the wrapping head is usable according to the use mode in which the film, previously cut, can be wound, around the load, in a double layer. 
     
     
         17 . The wrapping head according to  claim 16 , wherein the passage of said first deflector from said inactive position to said operative position, and vice versa, occurs by means of a rigid translation according to a direction that forms a right angle with the symmetry axis of the reel of film. 
     
     
         18 . The wrapping head according to  claim 1 , wherein said cutting means are movable and/or adjustable upward or downward, with respect to the height of the reel, so as to obtain a first portion of film and a second portion of film of different heights, the height being intended as the dimension of the film perpendicular to the unwinding and feeding direction thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A method for wrapping loads, comprising the steps of:
 supplying a reel of film made of extensible material;   unwinding the film from the reel;   characterized in that it comprises cutting the film along its feed direction, so as to obtain a first portion of film and a second portion of film that are distinct and separate from each other;   deflecting said first portion of film, parallel to itself, so as to at least partly superimpose said first portion of film on said second portion of film, thus at least partly attaining a band of double-layer material; and wrapping the load with said band.   
     
     
         20 . The wrapping method according to  claim 19 , wherein said step of deflecting said first portion of film comprises a step of deflecting said first portion from a first feed direction to an intermediate feed direction which is tilted, with respect to said first feed direction, by a first deflection angle. 
     
     
         21 . The wrapping method according to  claim 20 , wherein said step of deflecting said first portion of film comprises a step of further deflecting said first portion from said intermediate feed direction to a second feed direction which is tilted, with respect to said intermediate feed direction, by a second deflection angle, said second feed direction substantially corresponding to the feed direction of said second portion of film. 
     
     
         22 . The wrapping method according to  claim 21 , wherein said first deflection angle is substantially equal to 90° and said second deflection angle is substantially equal to −90°.