Thermal Knife For Orbital Pallet Wrappers

Abstract

An orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping a cargo in a stretch film includes a base frame. The orbital wrapping apparatus further includes a circular ring. The orbital wrapping apparatus further includes a stretch film dispenser. The orbital wrapping apparatus further includes a cutting assembly having a thermally heated blade.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping a cargo in a stretch film, comprising:
 a base frame;   a circular ring assembly mounted on the base frame and rotatable with respect to the base frame to form an axis of rotation;   a stretch film dispenser mounted on the circular ring assembly and rotatable with the circular ring assembly about the axis of rotation;   a cutting assembly mounted to the base frame and extending through an opening defined by the circular ring assembly, the cutting assembly having a thermally heated blade.   
     
     
         2 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the cutter housing is attached to the cutting motor and an opposite second end of the cutter housing is a cut surface. 
     
     
         3 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 2 , wherein the cutter housing includes a shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 3 , wherein the cutting motor holds the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 4 , wherein the shaft extends and retracts from the cutting motor. 
     
     
         6 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 5 , wherein the cutting assembly further includes a collar. 
     
     
         7 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 6 , wherein a collar positioned on an outer surface of the cutting housing. 
     
     
         8 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 7 , wherein the collar further includes a pair of ground wire passageways. 
     
     
         9 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 8 , wherein the collar further includes a plurality of pin receptacles. 
     
     
         10 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 1 , wherein the blade further includes a plurality of electrical receptors on an outer surface and an inner surface of the blade. 
     
     
         11 . An orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping a cargo in a stretch film, comprising:
 a base frame with a rotatable circular ring assembly with respect to the base frame to form an axis of rotation;   a cutting assembly mounted to the base frame and extending through an opening defined by the circular ring assembly; the cutting assembly having a semi-circular blade with a sharp edge disposed along one side; the cutting assembly further having a plurality of electrical receptors position along the blade.   
     
     
         12 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of electrical receptors are position along both an outer surface and an inner surface of the blade. 
     
     
         13 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 12 , wherein each electrical receptors includes a gap. 
     
     
         14 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 13 , wherein the cutting assembly further incudes a cutter housing. 
     
     
         15 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 14 , wherein the cutting assembly further includes a collar. 
     
     
         16 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 15 , wherein the collar is positioned on an outer surface of the cutter housing. 
     
     
         17 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of electrical receptors extend within the collar. 
     
     
         18 . The orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping the cargo in the stretch film of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical receptors absorb and transfer thermal energy to the blade.