摘要 |
An apparatus and process for automatically making spiral wrapped unitary package having a netting overwrap. In the apparatus a series of loads, each containing a plurality of units are fed one at a time onto a turntable adjacent a netting dispenser with the leading edge of the netting from the netting dispenser being held by a clamp mechanism mounted on the turntable. The netting is spirally wrapped around the load and is then formed into a rope-like configuration by a roper mechanism, with the roped netting being wrapped around the turntable clamp mechanism, at which time the roped netting is clamped by a clamping, tucking and cutting mechanism. The clamping, tucking and cutting mechanism tucks the portion of the roped wrap between the load and the roped netting wrapped around the clamp mechanism and severs the roped netting as the turntable clamp mechanism is retracted below the edge of the turntable causing the roped overwrap to attempt to return to its memory position, holding the severed end of the roped netting in a fixed position as the clamping, tucking and cutting mechanism is raised out of the contracting roped wrap. The new leading edge of the netting is held by the clamping, tucking and cutting mechanism which carries the leading edge back towards the turntable clamp mechanism allowing the netting to be clamped by the turntable clamp for the next operation, at which time the clamping, tucking and cutting mechanism releases the new leading edge of the netting and is removed from the netting dispensing path.
|