Shrink film staging system and method

Abstract

A method of delivering film to a tubular shrink film applying machine involves the use of one or more containers that may include wheels enabling film transport, where film is unwound from rolls into the containers. A machine for dispensing tubular shrink film from rolls into containers in a controlled manner is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of delivering film to a tubular shrink film applying machine, the method comprising:
 unwinding a first roll of tubular shrink film having an external leading end and an internal trailing end into a first bin including wheels to permit the first bin to be rolled by an operator from one position to another, wherein the leading end of the first roll of tubular shrink film is held proximate to or externally of an upper opening of the first bin as remaining tubular shrink film of the first roll is unwound into the first bin to produce a first loaded bin in which both the leading end and the trailing end are accessible after the unwinding procedure is completed;   moving the first loaded bin into position at a film feed station of a tubular shrink film applying machine; and   connecting the trailing end of the tubular shrink film to feed into the tubular shrink film applying machine.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 unwinding a second roll of tubular shrink film having an external leading end and an internal trailing end into a second bin including wheels to permit the second bin to be rolled by an operator from one position to another, wherein the leading end of the second roll is held proximate to or externally of an upper opening of the second bin as remaining tubular shrink film of the second roll is unwound into the second bin to produce a second loaded bin in which both the leading end and the trailing end are accessible after the unwinding procedure is completed;   moving the second loaded bin into position near the first loaded bin; and   connecting the trailing end of the second roll of tubular shrink film to the leading end of the first roll of tubular shrink film.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 repeating unwinding, moving and connecting operations for one or more additional rolls of tubular shrink film.   
     
     
         4 . A method of preparing tubular shrink film for use in a tubular shrink film applying machine, the method comprising:
 unwinding a roll of tubular shrink film having an external first end and an internal second end into a container, wherein the first end of the tubular shrink film is held proximate to or externally of an upper opening of the container as remaining tubular shrink film of the roll is unwound into the container to produce a loaded container in which both the first end and the second end of the tubular shrink film are accessible via the upper opening after the unwinding procedure is completed.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the first end of the tubular shrink film extends from the upper opening of the container and leads down to a bottom of collected film in the container, and the second end of the tubular shrink film extends from the upper opening of the container and leads to a top of collected film in the container. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the container is a bin including wheels that permit the bin to be moved via rolling over a surface, and the film is unwound into the bin in a free fall manner. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the container is a box, and the film is unwound into the box in a layered manner. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the film is unwound into the box to vary lengths of layers such that at least some return loops are offset from other return loops, thereby aiding in keeping a generally planar stacking of the layers. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a pyramidical stacking of layers is achieved in the box. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a series of pyramidical stacked layer stages is achieved in the box. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein multiple return loops of the layered film are formed with a crease feature. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein an interior bottom of the box includes an upwardly extending curved base for receiving the film. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the upwardly extending curved base is formed by an insert having upwardly facing convex surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the upwardly extending curved base is formed by a bottom panel of the box. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the box is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the box comprises metal, plastic, cardboard, paperboard or a combinations of one or more of the same. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the container is a box and the film is unwound into the box in a layered manner by moving a film guide arm back and forth along a path above the box. 
     
     
         18 . A machine for unwinding tubular shrink film from a roll, comprising:
 a film roll support having a roll of shrink film thereon;   a film receiving volume with an upper opening through which shrink film can be delivered into the volume;   a film guide arm mounted above the film receiving volume and movable back and forth along a path to deliver shrink film into the volume in a layered manner as the shrink film is drawn off of the film roll.   
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 18  wherein the film guide arm is pivotably mounted and is moved back and forth along an arcuate path. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a drive for moving of the film guide arm back and forth along the arcuate path;   a controller associated with the drive and configured to effect operation of the drive to vary a length of arcuate movement of the film guide arm as film is delivered into the film receiving volume such that at least some return loops of the shrink film are offset from other return loops, thereby aiding in keeping a generally planar stacking of layers.   
     
     
         21 . The machine of  claim 20  wherein the controller is configured to effect operation of the drive to vary the length of arcuate movement so as to achieve a pyramidical stacking of layers. 
     
     
         22 . The machine of  claim 21  wherein the controller is configured to effect operation of the drive to vary the length of arcuate movement so as to achieve a series of pyramidical stacked layer stages. 
     
     
         23 . The machine of  claim 19  wherein the film receiving volume is defined in part by a pair of space apart side walls having upper edges of arcuate shape. 
     
     
         24 . The machine of  claim 18  wherein the machine includes a film end capture for holding a leading edge of the shrink film external of the film receiving volume as the shrink film is delivered into the film receiving volume. 
     
     
         25 . The machine of  claim 18  wherein the film guide arm is mounted for movement back and forth along linear path. 
     
     
         26 . The machine of  claim 18  wherein a film creasing mechanism is located along a film travel path of the machine for selectively placing creases in the film to facilitate layering of the film. 
     
     
         27 - 35 . (canceled)