Apparatus and method for stretch wrapping of a plurality of tubes

Abstract

An apparatus and method for wrapping a plurality of tubes which includes a plurality of supporting stations, each of which includes a pair of stanchions upon which pulleys are positioned. An endless belt is threaded along the pulleys and one of the pulleys is driven by a drive motor to move the endless belt to rotate a bundle of tubes positioned on the belt. A roll of stretch wrapping plastic material such as polyethylene is disposed upon a trolley movable along a rail. The polyethylene plastic film engages the exterior of the bundle of tubes and as the bundle rotates, the film is moved from the roll to encompass and wrap the bundle of tubes.

1 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes comprising:
 at least first and second tube supporting stations, each of said stations comprising first and second spaced apart stanchions;   means supported by said first and second stanchions for engaging, supporting and rotating said plurality of tubes, said means having an uppermost surface that is above the uppermost surface of said plurality of tubes as said tubes are rotated;   a source of wrapping material;   means for supporting said wrapping material adjacent said tube supporting stations and for moving said wrapping material along said plurality of tubes to cause said wrapping material to encircle said tubes as said tubes are rotated.   
   
   
       2 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said means supported by said stanchions is an endless belt. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said stanchions each include a plurality of pulleys, said endless belt being supported by said pulleys, and one of said pulleys is driven to cause said belt to move and rotate said plurality of tubes. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 3 , wherein one of said stanchions further comprises means for adjusting the vertical position of the belt to accommodate pluralities of tubes in bundles of differing configurations. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said means for adjusting comprises a movable beam, at least one of said pulleys being supported on said movable beam. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said wrapping material is a roll of flexible plastic material. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said means for supporting said wrapping material is a rail disposed adjacent said tube supporting stations and a trolley movably supported on said rail, said trolley receiving said roll of plastic material. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 7 , which further includes means for transporting said trolley along said rail as said tubes are rotated. 
   
   
       9 . The method of wrapping a plurality of tubes comprising:
 supporting said tubes upon a plurality of endless belts;   driving said belts to impart rotational movement to said plurality of tubes, each endless belt having an uppermost surface that is above the uppermost surface of said plurality of tubes as said tubes are rotated;   providing a source of flexible wrapping material;   engaging said plurality of tubes with said wrapping material, whereby as said tubes are rotated, said wrapping material encircles said tubes.   
   
   
       10 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , which includes the further step of moving said source of wrapping material along said plurality of tubes as said tubes are rotated. 
   
   
       11 . The method as defined in  claim 10  further comprising the step of adjusting said plurality of endless belts to receive said plurality of tubes. 
   
   
       12 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein said adjusting is accomplished by moving a pulley upon which said endless belt is supported. 
   
   
       13 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes comprising:
 at least first and second tube supporting stations, each of said stations comprising first and second spaced apart stanchions;   means supported by said first and second stanchions for engaging, supporting and rotating said plurality of tubes;   a source of wrapping material;   means for supporting said wrapping material adjacent said tube supporting stations and for moving said wrapping material along said plurality of tubes to cause said wrapping material to encircle said tubes as said tubes are rotated;   wherein one of said stanchions comprises means for adjusting the vertical position of said means supported by said stanchions, to accommodate pluralities of tubes of differing configurations, said means for adjusting remaining in a substantially fixed vertical location as said plurality of tubes is rotated.   
   
   
       14 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said means supported by said stanchions is an endless belt. 
   
   
       15 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said stanchions each include plurality of pulleys, said endless belt being supported by said pulleys, and one of said pulleys is driven to cause said belt to move and rotate said plurality of tubes. 
   
   
       16 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said means for adjusting comprises a moveable beam, at least one of said pulleys being supported on said movable beam. 
   
   
       17 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said wrapping material is a roll of flexible plastic material. 
   
   
       18 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said means for supporting said wrapping material is a rail disposed adjacent said tube supporting stations and a trolley movably supported on said rail, said trolley receiving said roll of plastic material. 
   
   
       19 . Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tubes as defined in  claim 18 , which further includes means for transporting said trolley along said rail as said tubes are rotated. 
   
   
       20 . The method of wrapping a plurality of tubes comprising:
 adjusting a plurality of endless belts to receive said plurality of tubes;   supporting said tubes upon said plurality of endless belts;   driving said belts to impart rotational movement to said plurality of tubes;   providing a source of flexible wrapping material;   engaging said plurality of tubes with said wrapping material, whereby as said tubes are rotated, said wrapping material encircles said tubes; and   refraining from vertically adjusting said endless belts while said tubes are rotated.   
   
   
       21 . The method as defined in  claim 20 , further comprising moving said source of wrapping material along said plurality of tubes as said tubes are rotated. 
   
   
       22 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , further comprising adjusting the endless belts by moving a pulley upon which said endless belt is supported.