Apparatus, system & method for adjustable wrapping

Abstract

A wrapping apparatus, system, station and/or process is generally provided. As to the apparatus, it includes a wrap bar for engaging and directing a wrapper about the product, a wrap bar carrier from which the wrap bar extends, and a drive assembly operatively linked to the wrap bar carrier. The carrier block, which translatingly retains the carrier intermediate opposing end portions thereof, is adapted for driven rotation about a wrapping axis of the apparatus so as to thereby rotatingly drive the bar about the axis via rotation of the carrier. The drive assembly, which is operatively linked to the carrier, selectively translates the carrier in relation to the carrier block during driven rotation of the carrier such that a radial distance for the bar from the axis is thereby capable of selective establishment in furtherance of delimiting a wrap bar travel path commensurate with the product profile of the product.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of wrapping a conveyed product with a sheet wrapper supported by a wrap bar comprising the steps of:
 a. circumscribing the wrap bar about a wrap axis in furtherance of forming a sheet wrapper sleeve around the conveyed product; and,   b. selectively translating the wrap bar orbiting the wrap axis such that a radial distance for the wrap bar from the wrap axis is thereby capable of selective establishment so as to define a wrap bar path commensurate with a product profile of the conveyed product, select translation of the wrap bar being accomplished without reliance upon a track/track follower arrangement.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said wrap bar is operatively supported for select radial positioning relative to a rotatingly driven member delimiting said wrap axis. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said wrap bar is operatively supported upon a wrap bar carrier, said wrap bar carrier selectively translatable in relation to a rotatingly driven assembly characterized by a carrier block rotatable about said wrap axis. 
     
     
         28 . A method of wrapping a conveyed product with a wrapper portion supported by a wrap bar comprising the steps of:
 a. circumscribing the wrap bar about a wrap axis via a first electro-mechanical mechanism in furtherance of forming a sheet wrapper sleeve around the conveyed product; and,   b. selectively translating the wrap bar circumscribing the wrap axis via a second electro-mechanical mechanism such that a radial distance for the wrap bar from the wrap axis is thereby capable of selective establishment so as to define a wrap bar path commensurate with a product profile of the conveyed product, said second electro-mechanical mechanism being separate and distinct from said first electro-mechanical mechanism.   
     
     
         29 . A method of directing a sheet wrapper over a product comprising the steps of:
 a. providing an apparatus characterized by a wrap bar assembly comprised of a wrap bar supported by a wrap bar carrier, and a rotatingly driven member supporting said wrap bar assembly for rotation and selective translation such that said wrap bar is driven through a select wrap orbit characterized by a non constant radial distance for said wrap bar in relation to a wrap axis delimited by said rotatingly driven member;   b. circumscribing said wrap bar about said wrap axis in furtherance of forming a sheet wrapper sleeve around the product; and,   c. selectively translating said wrap bar carrier such that a radial distance for said wrap bar from said wrap axis is selectively established so as to define a wrap bar path commensurate with a product profile of the product.