Modifiable shrink wrap machine, assembly and related method

Abstract

A machine is disclosed for shrink wrapping a load of a given size. The machine includes a supply conveyor for supplying the load to a wrapping zone, a wrap conveyor disposed in the wrapping zone, the wrap conveyor receiving the load from the supply conveyor, a film supply for supplying a film to the wrapping zone, and a wrap guide disposed in the wrapping zone. The wrap guide guides film received from the film supply in a wrap path proximate the wrap conveyor so as to place the film on the load. The wrap guide includes a removable portion defining a portion of the wrap path. The portion of the wrap path defined by the wrap guide removable portion is sized to correspond to the size of the load. A heat supply shrinks the film so as to shrink wrap the load. Related machines, assemblies and methods are also disclosed.

1 . A machine for shrink wrapping a load of a given size, the machine comprising: 
 a supply conveyor for supplying the load to a wrapping zone;    a wrap conveyor disposed in the wrapping zone, the wrap conveyor receiving the load from the supply conveyor;    a film supply for supplying a film to the wrapping zone;    a wrap guide disposed in the wrapping zone for guiding film received from the film supply in a wrap path proximate the wrap conveyor so as to place the film on the load, the wrap guide including a removable portion defining a portion of the wrap path, the portion of the wrap path defined by the wrap guide removable portion being sized to correspond to the size of the load; and    a heat supply for shrinking the film so as to shrink wrap the load.    
   
   
       2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the wrap guide includes two fixed guide portions and two of the removable portions, a respective one of each of the fixed guide portions and the removable portions being disposed on each side of the wrap conveyor.  
   
   
       3 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the removable portions define the wrap path having a given configuration, and further including alternate removable portions that define an alternate wrap path of a different configuration, the alternate removable portions configured for replacing the removable portions for wrapping an alternate load of a different size.  
   
   
       4 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the wrap guide defines a track followed by a follower, the follower being pivotally connected to a wrapping bar by a linkage.  
   
   
       5 . The machine of  claim 4 , wherein the wrapping bar is driven by the follower so as to move the film from the film supply into the wrapping zone to place the film on the load.  
   
   
       6 . The machine of  claim 4 , wherein the wrap guide includes a plurality of the followers, wrapping bars and linkages disposed around the track.  
   
   
       7 . The machine of  claim 4 , wherein the track is not substantially congruent with the wrap path.  
   
   
       8 . The machine of  claim 4 , wherein the removable portions define the wrap path having a given configuration, and further including alternate removable portions that define an alternate wrap path of a different configuration, the alternate removable portions configured for replacing the removable portions.  
   
   
       9 . The machine of  claim 8 , wherein the track formed by the removable portions and the alternate removable portions are not substantially congruent.  
   
   
       10 . The machine of  claim 4 , wherein the follower moves around the track at substantially constant speed and the wrapping bar moves around the wrap path at a varying speed.  
   
   
       11 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the wrap guide includes a loop driven at constant speed for driving a wrapping bar along the wrap path at a varying speed.  
   
   
       12 . The machine of  claim 11 , wherein the wrapping bar is connected to the loop via a pivoting linkage.  
   
   
       13 . The machine of  claim 11 , wherein the wrapping bar is driven faster than the wrap conveyor for a portion of the travel of the wrapping bar.  
   
   
       14 . A machine for selectively shrink wrapping a first load of a first size or a second load of a second size, the machine comprising: 
 a supply conveyor for supplying the first or second load to a wrapping zone;    a wrap conveyor disposed in the wrapping zone, the wrap conveyor receiving the first or second load from the supply conveyor;    a film supply for supplying a film to the wrapping zone;    a wrap guide disposed in the wrapping zone for guiding film received from the film supply in a wrap path proximate the wrap conveyor so as to place the film on the first or second load, the wrap guide including a removable portion defining a portion of the wrap path and an alternate removable portion defining an alternate portion of the wrap path, the portion of the wrap path defined by the wrap guide removable portion and the alternate portion of the wrap path defined by the alternate removable portion respectively being sized to correspond to the size of the first or second load; and    a heat supply for shrinking the film so as to shrink wrap the load.    
   
   
       15 . The machine of  claim 14 , wherein the wrap guide defines a track followed by a follower, the follower being pivotally connected to a wrapping bar by a linkage.  
   
   
       16 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the wrapping bar is driven by the follower so as to move the film from the film supply into the wrapping zone to place the film on the load.  
   
   
       17 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the wrap guide includes a plurality of the followers, wrapping bars and linkages disposed around the track.  
   
   
       18 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the track is not substantially congruent with the wrap path.  
   
   
       19 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the follower moves around the track at substantially constant speed and the wrapping bar moves around the wrap path at a varying speed.  
   
   
       20 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the wrap guide includes a loop driven at constant speed for driving a wrapping bar along the wrap path at a varying speed.  
   
   
       21 . A wrapping assembly for a machine for shrink wrapping a load of a given size, the machine comprising: 
 a wrap conveyor disposed in the wrapping zone;    a film supply for supplying a film to the wrapping zone; and    a wrap guide disposed in the wrapping zone for guiding film received from the film supply in a wrap path proximate the load and the wrap conveyor so as to place the film on the load, the wrap guide including a removable portion defining a portion of the wrap path, the portion of the wrap path defined by the wrap guide removable portion being sized to correspond to the size of the load.    
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the wrap guide includes two fixed guide portions and two of the removable portions, a respective one of each of the fixed guide portions and the removable portions being disposed on each side of the wrap conveyor.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the removable portions define the wrap path having a given configuration, and further including alternate removable portions that define an alternate wrap path of a different configuration, the alternate removable portions configured for replacing the removable portions for wrapping an alternate load of a different size.  
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the wrap guide defines a track followed by a follower, the follower being pivotally connected to a wrapping bar by a linkage.  
   
   
       25 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the track is not substantially congruent with the wrap path.  
   
   
       26 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the removable portions define the wrap path having a given configuration, and further including alternate removable portions that define an alternate wrap path of a different configuration, the alternate removable portions configured for replacing the removable portions.  
   
   
       27 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the follower moves around the track at substantially constant speed and the wrapping bar moves around the track at a varying speed.  
   
   
       28 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the wrap guide includes a loop driven at constant speed for driving a wrapping bar along the wrap path at a varying speed.  
   
   
       29 . The assembly of  claim 21 , further including a supply conveyor for supplying the load to the wrap conveyor.  
   
   
       30 . The assembly of  claim 21 , further including a heat supply for shrinking the film so as to shrink wrap the load.  
   
   
       31 . A method for selectively shrink wrapping a first load of a first size and a second load of a second size, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) installing a removable portion of a wrap guide to define a wrap path, the removable portion defining a portion of the wrap path having a first configuration;    (b) supplying the first load of the first size to a wrap conveyor;    (c) supplying a film for wrapping the first load;    (d) driving the wrap guide in the wrap path proximate the wrap conveyor so as to place the film on the first load;    (e) heating the film to shrink wrap the first load;    (f) replacing the removable portion with an alternate removable portion defining an alternate portion of the wrap path having a second configuration different from the first configuration; and    (g) repeating steps (b) to (e) using the alternate removable portion and the second load.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the wherein the wrap guide defines a track followed by a follower, the follower being pivotally connected to a wrapping bar by a linkage.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the wrapping bar is driven by the follower so as to move the film from the film supply into the wrapping zone to place the film on the load.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the wrap guide includes a plurality of the followers, wrapping bars and linkages disposed around the track.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the track is not substantially congruent with the wrap path.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the follower moves around the track at substantially constant speed and the wrapping bar moves around the wrap path at a varying speed.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the wrap guide includes a loop driven at constant speed for driving a wrapping bar along the wrap path at a varying speed.  
   
   
       38 . A method for selectively shrink wrapping a load having a size, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) selecting a removable portion of a wrap guide from a family of removable portions dependent on the size of the load, each removable portion having a particular configuration and defining a wrap path portion having a particular configuration;    (b) installing the selected removable portion of the wrap guide to define a wrap path;    (c) supplying the load to a wrap conveyor;    (d) supplying a film for wrapping the load;    (e) driving the wrap guide in the wrap path proximate the wrap conveyor so as to place the film on the load; and    (f) heating the film to shrink wrap the first load.