APPARATUS FOR WINDING PRODUCTS WITH A FILM OF WINDING MATERIAL

Technical field

[01] The present invention relates to an apparatus for winding products with a film of winding material, in particular a manually operated apparatus for winding products with a film of extendable material or with a tape.

Prior art

[02] Currently the need for winding products or groups of products, usually arranged on pallets, with a film of polyethylene extendable material is known. Therefore, devices have been developed that are capable of winding products with the aforementioned film of extendable material in an automatic or semi-automatic manner.

[03] In particular, apparatuses on wheels are known, having an unwinding unit on which a reel of extendable material or tape may be mounted. These devices can be moved manually around the product to be wound, generally a pallet of products.

[04] To carry out the winding correctly, these apparatuses are generally provided with an alternate reel lifting unit, which, for example, may be operated manually, by means of a crank member, or electrically, by means of an appropriate electric motor member and a transmission mechanic unit to lift in appropriate phase relation of the winding of the material around the product itself.

[05] The actuation of the reel lifting unit, in particular, makes this apparatuses complex, as well as relatively more expensive.

Disclosure

[06] The present invention is aiming at solving the aforementioned problems, devising a winding apparatus equipped with an optimised system for spiral winding the reel of winding material around a product.

[07] The mentioned objects are achieved, according to the present invention, by the winding apparatus according to claim 1 .

[08] The apparatus according to the invention comprises a base supported by wheels, on which a guide column is fixed, on which a carriage arranged to carry a reel for feeding the winding material is slidably mounted. A push handle is provided for pushing the base around a product so as to cause the winding of the winding material fed by said reel around it.

[09] A prerogative of the invention consists in the provision of a transmission unit connected to at least one of the wheels fixed to the base and configured to transform the respective rotary motion into a sliding motion of the carriage along the column, for spiral winding the material around the product.

[10] Therefore, the only rotation of the advancing wheels generated by the operator is able to actuate the moving, lifting and lowering system of the carriage carrying the reel of winding material.

[1 1] Preferably the unit comprises a coupling device configured to control the sliding motion of the carriage carrying the winding reel, in order to make a spiral winding.

[12] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the transmission unit, in particular the aforementioned coupling device, may be selectively actuated, in one direction or in the opposite direction, by means of a control lever associated with the push handle.

[13] Therefore, the manual control, both of the advance and of the lifting of the reel, is very easy for the operator.

[14] Furthermore, the proposed solution is very inexpensive, since it does not require the supply of external energy sources, other than manual operation, and requires very little maintenance, limited to the natural wear of the moving parts.

[15] The transmission unit preferably comprises a first driving member and a second driving member, arranged to be rotated by at least one wheel, a first driven member and a second driven member.

[16] The coupling device is arranged to selectively actuate the first driven member or the second driven member, while a transformation device, configured to transform the rotary motion selectively transmitted to the first driven member or to the second driven member in the translational sliding motion of the reel-holder carriage.

[17] Preferably the first driving member and the second driving member are made by means of toothed members, for example a pinion or a hub, keyed on a shaft integral with the axis of at least one wheel.

[18] The first driven member and the second driven member may be made by respective keyed idle pulleys on said shaft.

[19] The coupling device is preferably made by means of a fork member, selectively displaceable, along the aforementioned shaft, upon command of the control lever, to couple the first driven member on the first driving member or the second driven member on the second driving member.

[20] Advantageously, an elastic contrast means may be provided, for example of the spring type, acting on the first driven member and on the second driven member so that it is disengaged from the first driving member and from the second moving member when the control lever is deactivated.

[21] The aforementioned transformation device may comprise a first transmission pulley and a second transmission pulley, to transform, by the interposition of flexible transmission means with which the carriage is associated, the rotational motion transmitted by the selective activation operated by the coupling device in a translational motion, having raising or lowering direction corresponding to the aforementioned selective activation.

[22] According to a particular aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide for the transformation device to comprise a flexible annular member, suitably wound around transmission members, as well as to each driven member of the transmission unit.

[23] According to a particular aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide, alternatively, for the transformation device to comprise a separate flexible means for each driven member of the transmission unit.

[24] In particular, the aforementioned transformation device may comprise a first flexible member and a second flexible member, for transmitting the motion, respectively, deriving from the selective actuation of the first driven member and of the second driven member. For example, the aforementioned first flexible member and the second flexible member are chains.

[25] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the carriage of the apparatus, holding the reel to be unwound, is fastened to the aforesaid flexible members, crosswise, to selectively raise or lower the carriage, and therefore the reel, along the respective column. Therefore, it is possible to selectively activate, with the only manual advance of the carriage, the lifting or the lowering of the carriage holding the reel.

[26] At the same time, it is possible to stop the carriage in any position, when this selective activation is not activated. In particular, according to a particular aspect of the invention, the first driven member and the second driven member may be arranged in a condition of mutual engagement when the coupling device is not selectively activated, so that the carriage is securely locked along the column of the apparatus.

Description of drawings

[27] The details of the invention will become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the winding apparatus, shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the winding apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a transmission unit used in the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the unit shown in Figure 2; Figures 4a, 5a, 6a and respectively 4b, 5b, 6b, as well as 4c, 5c, 6c show a schematic view of the apparatus according to the invention, a front view of the lifting unit shown in Figure 2 and a portion of a control lever used in the apparatus according to the invention, in different operating conditions;

Figures 7a, 8a, 9a and respectively 7b, 8b, 9b show a perspective view of the same control lever used in the apparatus according to the invention and a side view of a portion thereof, in different operating conditions;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a different embodiment of the transmission unit used in the apparatus according to the invention; Figure 1 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the unit shown in Figure 10;

Figures 12a, 13a, 14a and respectively 12b, 13b, 14b, as well as 12c, 13c, 14c show a schematic view of the apparatus according to the invention, a front view of the lifting unit shown in Figure 10 and a portion of the control ever used in the apparatus according to the invention, in different operating conditions.

Best mode

[28] With particular reference to these figures, the winding apparatus according to the invention is indicated with 1 in its entirely.

[29] According to a preferred embodiment, shown in particular in Figures 1 to 9b, the apparatus 1 comprises a base 2 on which wheels 3, 4 are mounted to advance the apparatus itself, so that a winding material, for example a film of extendable material or tape, is wound around a specific product or a group of products.

[30] In the following the term "product" is used, meaning both a single item and more items to be wound together.

[31] Preferably the base 2 is mounted on a pair of wheels 3 of larger diameter and on a pair of wheels 4 of smaller diameter, pivoting and idle, capable of directing the base 2 on a substantially circular trajectory around the product to be wound.

[32] The apparatus 1 also comprises a column 5 with a substantially vertical extension, fixed to the base 2. The column 5 has a sliding carriage 6 capable of housing a reel 7 for feeding the winding material.

[33] The apparatus 1 further comprises a push handle 8 for advancing manually the base 2 having the column 5. The handle 8 is associated with a control lever 9, for controlling the sliding motion of the carriage 6 along the column 5, as described in detail below.

[34] The apparatus 1 further comprises, according to the invention, a transmission unit 10 connected, preferably, to one of the wheels 3, 4 and configured to transmit the rotational motion of this wheel about the respective axis and transform it into a sliding motion of the carriage 6 along the column 5, in a controlled manner according to a rising or lowering direction.

[35] The transmission unit 10 may comprise a first driving member, for example a pinion 12, connected to the axis 1 1 of the wheel 3 by means of, preferably, a flexible transmission means 13, for example of the chain type. The pinion 12 is keyed onto a shaft 14 on which a second driving member, for example a hub 15, is also keyed.

[36] The pinion 12 and the hub 15 have, preferably laterally, a set of teeth facing an operative portion, for example central, of the transmission unit 10 itself, for the activation of the aforementioned sliding motion of the carriage 6 along the column 5.

[37] The aforementioned operating portion of the transmission unit 10 preferably comprises a first driven member, for example a first pulley 16, and a second driven member, for example a second pulley 17, and a coupling device 18, for example made by a fork member interposed between the first pulley 16 and the second pulley 17.

[38] The first pulley 16 and the second pulley 17, which are idle and slidably mounted along the shaft 14, preferably have a respective coupling toothing, preferably arranged laterally, facing in each case the aforementioned coupling device 18.

[39] Obviously, it is possible to provide that, as an alternative to the coupling toothing, a different coupling is provided between the pulleys 16, 17, when the coupling device 18 is inactive, for example a friction coupling.

[40] The first pulley 16 and the second pulley 17 each have a further toothing on a surface facing respectively the pinion 12 and the hub 15. Each toothing meshes with a corresponding toothing arranged on the pinion 12 and on the hub 15 to ensure the transmission of the rotary motion when the coupling device 18 is operated, as explained better below.

[41 ] A different transmission mechanism of the rotary motion between the first pulley 16 and the pinion 12 and between the second pulley 17 and the hub 15, such as, for example, a friction transmission mechanism, may obviously be used.

[42] A contrast means 19, for example of the elastic type, preferably spring-loaded, is interposed between each pulley 16, 17 and, respectively the pinion 12 and the hub 15, to maintain the same pulleys 16, 17 in a condition of idle coupling on the shaft 14, spaced from the aforementioned coupling device 18.

[43] The control lever 9 is provided for actuating the selective coupling of one of the pulleys 16, 17 and, respectively, the pinion 12 and the hub 15.

[44] The control lever 9 is connected, by means of connecting members, for example by means of a metal wire, to the coupling device 18, in practice to the aforementioned coupling fork member, so that the sliding motion of the carriage 6 is selectively actuated.

[45] In particular, the fork member 18, upon actuation of the control lever 9, may selectively activate the first pulley 16 or the second pulley 17, moving it in a direction or in an opposite direction along the shaft 14, so as to cause them to be coupled, preferably by meshing, respectively, with the pinion 12 or with the hub 15.

[46] The selective actuation of the coupling device 18 therefore makes the pulley thus actuated integral with the respective transmission element, which in turn is integral with the rotation of the shaft 14, which may be operated in motion around its own axis by the rotation of the wheel 3 impacted by the advance of the apparatus 1 following the push of the operator on the handle 8.

[47] The pulleys 16, 17 are in turn connected to a transformation device 20, configured to transform the rotary motion transferred to one of the pulleys 16, 17 in a translational motion of the sliding of the carriage 6 along the column 5.

[48] The transformation device 20 comprises for example a first transmission pulley 21 and a second transmission pulley 22, around which a flexible transmission means 23, preferably of the belt type, may be wound to ensure that the rotational motion transmitted by means of the selective activation carried out by the coupling device 18 of the transmission unit 10 is transformed into a translational motion, having lifting or lowering direction corresponding to the aforementioned selective activation.

[49] Basically, the aforementioned flexible means 23 is wound around the first transmission pulley 21 , so as to present a first arm 24 and a second arm 25.

[50] The aforementioned arms 24, 25 are respectively wound around the first pulley 16, and the second pulley 17, in order to be coupled again around the second transmission pulley 22. In this way, the translational motion deriving from the rotary motion transmitted by the selective actuation of the first pulley 16 is opposite, in particular in the lifting direction of the carriage 6 (see in particular Figures 4a and 4b), with respect to the translational motion deriving from the selective activation of the second pulley 17 (see Figures 6a and 6b), resulting in a lowering motion of the same carriage 6.

[51 ] When, on the other hand, the coupling device 18 is inactive with respect to the pulleys 16, 17 and therefore separated from them, these latter are idle on the shaft 14, preferably coupled with each other, and therefore the carriage 6 is blocked stationary at the height at which it is located.

[52] The operation of the apparatus for winding products with a film of winding material according to the invention may be understood from the preceding description.

[53] During a preparation step a reel 7 is arranged on the carriage 6 of the apparatus, ready to wind up a given product.

[54] The operator begins the winding cycle by fixing one end of the winding material around the product. The apparatus is then pushed by the operator, who holds the handle 8 for this purpose.

[55] Initially the control lever 9 is inactive, therefore the coupling unit 18 is disconnected from the operating members of the transmission unit 10, in particular from the pinion 12 and from the hub 15, thus leaving the carriage 6 carrying the reel 7 stationary on the column 5 (see Figures 5a, 5b, 8a, 8b).

[56] Then, to carry out a spiral winding, the sliding of the carriage 6 along the column 5 should be operated, after that, the control lever 9 should be suitably adjusted in one direction or in the opposite direction, so that the coupling device 18 is selectively activated to couple the first pulley 16 or the second pulley 1 7.

[57] Depending on the case, the activation of the control lever 9 while the apparatus 1 is advancing causes the carriage 6 sliding on the column 5 to be lifted or lowered (see figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 7a, 7b, 7c and respectively 6a, 6b, 6c, 9a, 9b, 9c), thanks to the connection of the coupling device 18 with the transformation device 20. [58] According to a different embodiment, shown by way of example in Figures 10, 1 1 , 12a, 12b, 12c, 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c, it is possible to provide that the transformation device 200 comprises a separate flexible means for each driven member of the transmission unit 100.

[59] More precisely, the transformation device 200 comprises a first flexible member 210 and a second flexible member 220, for transmitting the motion, respectively, deriving from the selective actuation of the first driven member 160 and of the second driven member 170.

[60] In particular, the first flexible member 210 and/or the second flexible member 220 are annular transmission elements, for example chains.

[61 ] The first flexible member 210 is therefore wound around the first driven member 160 and a respective pulley, not shown for simplicity in Figure 10. Likewise, the second flexible member 220 is wound around the second driven member 170 and a respective further pulley, which is also not shown.

[62] Therefore, a first arm 21 1 and a second arm 212 is defined for the first flexible member 210 from these windings, and a first arm 221 and a second arm 222 for the second flexible member 220.

[63] According to the embodiment shown, the carriage 60 holding the reel 7 is fastened to the aforementioned flexible members 210, 220, in a crosswise manner, to selectively activate the lifting or the lowering of the reel 7 along the column 5 (not shown in Figure 10 for simplicity). More precisely, the carriage 60 is fixed integral with a single arm of each flexible member 210, 220, chosen so as to ensure that the carriage 60 is integral with arms which, if actuated by the respective driven member 160, 170, are wound so that they move in the opposite direction.

[64] The operation of the apparatus, also in this case, may be understood from the preceding description.

[65] In the shown embodiment, for example, the carriage 60 is fixed to a portion of the second arm 212 of the first flexible member 210 and to a portion of the first arm 221 of the second flexible member 220. In a manner very similar to that shown for the embodiment described above, when the first driven member 160 is selectively actuated by the coupling device 180 and the operator pushes the apparatus 1 forward, the first flexible member 210 transmits the motion received from the first driven member 160, causing, in the illustrated case, lifting of the carriage 60, due to the connection to the second arm 212. At the same time, the second flexible member 220, thanks to the connection of the carriage 60 to the first arm 221 , may be dragged in the same lifting motion of the carriage 60, the second driven member 170 being idle on the shaft 140.

[66] Conversely, when the second driven member 170 is selectively actuated by the coupling device 180 and the operator pushes the apparatus 1 forward, the second flexible member 220 transmits the motion received from the second driven member 170, causing, again in the shown case, the carriage 60 to be lowered, thanks to the connection to the first arm 221 . Thanks to the connection of the carriage 60 to the second arm 212 of the first flexible member 210, this same member may be dragged, being arranged idle on the shaft 140, in the same descent motion of the carriage 60.

[67] Finally, when the coupling device 180 is not activated, as in the previously described embodiment, the first driven member 160 and the second driven member 170 are idle on the shaft 140, preferably engaged with each other, and the carriage 60 is thus safely blocked stationary on column 5.

[68] The apparatus according to the aforesaid further embodiment, for the rest, is completely similar structurally and functionally to the embodiment described above. Therefore, identical reference numbers have been used in the figures to indicate technical features having substantially the same structure and the same function.

[69] The apparatus according to the invention, in the different possible embodiments, therefore enables the spiral winding of a product with the only advancing movement of the apparatus itself on the wheels 3, 4.

[70] The winding apparatus described by the way of example may be modified according to the different requirements.

[71] In the practical embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions may be modified according to the needs.

[72] Should the technical features mentioned in any claim be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.