The present invention relates to a method for automatically wrapping film or foil around goods in cartons, and to an apparatus for dividing up and advancing film or foil.

For the packaging of wet/moist goods, for example foodstuffs like fish, in cardboard packages, it is desirable/necessary that the goods be enclosed in film or foil, preferably a plastic film. This is traditionally done by manually spreading the film or foil, divided into ready-to-use sheets, in the package so that the goods subsequently can be placed in the package. Finally, the film or foil is folded over the goods.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for wrapping film or foil around goods in a carton.

According to the present invention, this is achieved by advancing the film or foil to a position above the empty carton by means of a feeding mechanism, by cutting it according to a predetermined length, and by releasing it from the feeding mechanism, whereupon the goods are made to drop down on the film or foil, pulling this with them down into the carton, and the film or foil is finally folded over the goods so as to enclose them.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically positioning the film or foil above the carton.

According to the invention, this is achieved by means of an apparatus for advancing and dividing up the film or foil, comprising a feeding mechanism, a cutting mechanism and a supporting framework for these, characterized in that the

feeding mechanism comprises at least one set of feed guides having friction coating adapted to move along, and press the film or foil against, slippery surfaces that are adapted to support the lateral edges of the film, at the simultaneous friction contact and advancing of the film or foil, from the area of the cutting means to a length at least corresponding to the length of the cut-off portion of the film or foil.

The invention will now be explained with reference to the

10 enclosed drawings.

Figure 1 is a frontal view of an embodiment of the apparatus for advancing the film.

1 Figure 2 is a side view of the same embodiment of the apparatus.

In the preferred embodiment shown on the drawings, the film is on a roll 9 resting against a roller 10. The roller 10 is 20 operated by a chain so that the feeding of the plastic film is adjusted to the speed of advancement and is synchronous with the advancement.

The film 1 is held against the slippery surface 2 by the 2 feed guides 3 in position 3', near the two corners of the film.

The feed guide is then pulled along the slippery surface 2 by means of endless, flexible members 5, such as chains, and

- ⁵⁰ pulls the film with it to the end of the slippery surface 2, where the feed guide 3 releases its grip on the film and stops. Simultaneously, a new pair of feed guides 3 grips the film in position 3', whereupon the film is cut by the cutting mechanism 4. If the film is a plastic film, the cutting

'5 mechanism 4 consists preferably of a heat wire, mounted on a mobile mechanism. After the film has been cut, the cut-off

sheet is no longer attached to the apparatus and can drop down on a carton positioned below the apparatus.

The friction-coated feed guides 3 take hold of the front corners of the film by pressing them against the slippery surfaces 2, extending along each side of the track on which the film is to be advanced. Because of the great difference in friction between film/slippery surface and film/friction coating, the film is pulled along with the feed guide 3 as the feed guide moves along the slippery surfaces 2. The feed guides 3 are mounted on an endless-flexible member 5, such as a chain, a belt, etc. The slippery surfaces 2 are statio¬ nary.

When the feed guides have pulled the film to the desired position, the pressure between the feed guides and the slippery surface is released in that the slippery surface ends or the feed guides are lifted up from the slippery surface. The feed guide thereby loses its grip on the film. Simultaneously, a new set of feed guides grabs the film at position 3', and the film is cut by cutting means below the place where the new set of feed guides has grabbed the film. In this manner a sheet of film that no longer is attached to the feeding mechanism is formed at the same time as the feeding mechanism is ready for a new cycle.

When the sheet of film is freed from the apparatus, a portion of goods is piled on top of the film so that the film is pulled down into the carton ahead of the goods. Finally, the film can be folded around the goods so that they are enclosed in the film.

The cutting mechanism must be adapted to the particular film or foil that is being used. When a plastic film is used, it is preferable to use a heat wire, mounted on a pivoting arm which pivots toward the film when the film is to be cut. If necessary, pressurized air may be used as a counter-acting

force .