Packaging machines

摘要

A packaging machine is described in which articles or groups of articles are wrapped in a sleeve of stretch-wrap material. The machine includes a sleeve feeding and cutting assembly for drawing the leading end portion from a roll of stretch-wrap tubing, for opening the leading end, and for severing the leading end portion from the remainder of the roll to form a sleeve. A gripping assembly grips the open leading end and draws the sleeve onto a pair of relatively movable stretching plates. The plates are movable apart to stretch the sleeve to a size greater than the article or group of articles that it is required to wrap. A pusher is arranged to push the article or group of articles into the stretched sleeve. A discharge assembly is arranged to draw the sleeve and article or articles in unison away from the stretching plates.