Wrapping film package, wrapping method and wrapping machine

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a wrapping film package, a wrapping method and a wrapping machine. Using the wrapping method and the wrapping machine, the two opposite end faces of an object to be wrapped can be covered with protective film and the object can be wrapped with a length of wrapping film band.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] By the wrapping method, an object to be wrapped can be wrapped with protective plastic so as to form around it a layer, which protects the object during transport and storage. However, by the wrapping method it is difficult to have the object completely wrapped up because the wrapping cannot be carried on to the end faces of the object being packaged. If one or both of the end faces of the object being wrapped is to be protected, then the end face or faces are provided with separate sheets of protective film, e.g. of durable plastic film. The edges of the sheets on the end faces are turned onto the sides of the object so that, when the object is being wrapped, they remain under the protective film, such as a plastic film band, wrapped around the object or between different layers of wrapping material. At the end of the wrapping operation, the topmost plastic film layers of the wrapping are seamed together and the plastic film band reeled off a roll is severed.

[0003] To place the sheets of plastic film onto the end faces of the object to be wrapped, many methods can be employed. In order to achieve as tight a package as possible, a length of plastic film band is usually wound around the object to be wrapped to form a film layer on it before a protective sheet is set on the end face. The wrapping operation is then usually interrupted to allow a protective sheet to be placed on the end face, whereupon the wrapping operation can be continued. If protective sheets have to be placed on both lateral faces or on the top and bottom faces, then the wrapping method will become very complicated and difficult to apply. The document DE-A-4021307 presents a solution where separate end sheets for the object to be packed, are coming from two separate film rolls, and discloses a package, a method and a machine in accordance with the preambles of appended claims 1, 2 and 4.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The object of the present invention is to achieve a new wrapping film package, wrapping method and wrapping machine which do not have the drawbacks described above and which allow an object to be completely wrapped in protective film and wrapping film in a new way.

FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF THE WRAPPING FILM PACKAGE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The wrapping film package of the invention is characterized in that

• the two opposite end faces of the object are covered with the same sheet of protective film which, in addition to covering the end faces, also covers a first lateral side surface or the bottom face of the object, forming an additional protective layer on it for transport and removal situations,
• and that the object has been wrapped with wrapping film band so that the wrapping film covers that portion of the protective film sheet which is on the said first lateral side surface or under the bottom of the object as well as the ends of the protective film sheet turned on the second side surface opposite to said first lateral side surface or the bottom face.

FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF THE METHOD OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The wrapping method of the invention is characterized in that the wrapping method comprises the following steps:

• in a wrapping station, the end of a protective film band is drawn from a roll to a position in front of the object to be wrapped,
• the object to be wrapped is moved in the wrapping station so that the first end face of the object pushes the protective film band reeled off the roll before it, and so that the protective film band remains in contact with a first lateral side surface or the bottom face of the object,
• the first end of the object to be wrapped is brought to a position within the wrapping apparatus and the first end of the protective film sheet is turned against a second side surface opposite to said first lateral side surface or the bottom face,
• the first end portion of the object to be wrapped is wrapped with a length of wrapping film band so that at least parts of the protective film band covering the two opposite side surfaces of the object remain under a wrapping film layer,
• the wrapping film band is seamed and severed,
• the protective film band reeled off the roll is cut off at a point far enough from the object to be wrapped to leave with the object a protective film sheet that is longer than the object,
• the object to be wrapped is moved with its first end first at least partially out of the wrapping station,
• the trailing end of the protective film sheet is turned to a position in front of the second end face of the object to be wrapped,
• the object to be wrapped is moved backward with the second end face first so far that the second end of the object is brought to a position within the wrapping apparatus in the wrapping station,
• the trailing end of the protective film sheet is turned against the same side surface of the object as the first end of the protective film sheet,
• and a length of wrapping film band is wrapped around the second end portion of the object to be wrapped so that at least parts of the protective film band covering the two opposite side surfaces of the object remain under a wrapping film layer,

[0007] The continuous protective film extending over the two opposite end faces of the object to be wrapped now also extends to the bottom side or to a lateral side of the object. In a package, an additional film layer under the wrapping plastic layer provides an advantage especially when one of the surfaces of the object to be wrapped needs to be more effectively protected than usual. By placing this additional film layer on the bottom face of the package, the package is rendered substantially more durable in situations where the object is transported or moved. Thus, especially packages containing heavy objects, such as e.g. stacks of steel sheets, will be substantially better equipped to withstand lifting e.g. by a forklift truck.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE METHOD OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention,

• the first end of the protective plastic film protecting the end faces of the object to be wrapped is placed mainly onto a first end face of the object to be wrapped, whereupon a length of protective plastic film band is wound around the object to be wrapped at least in the region near this end face so that the first end of the protective film remains in place under the protective plastic film band wrapped around the object or between different layers of it,
• the second end of the protective plastic film protecting the end faces is placed onto the opposite end face of the object to be wrapped, whereupon a length of protective plastic film band is wound around the object to be wrapped so that the second end of the protective plastic film remains in place under the protective film band wrapped around the object or between different layers of it.

[0009] According to a second preferred embodiment of the method of the invention,

• the object to be wrapped is moved into the wrapping station with its first end face first so that the object to be wrapped comes to lie at least partly over the protective plastic film protecting the end faces and the first end of the protective film protecting the end faces extends over the first end face of the object to be wrapped to its upper face,
• a length of protective plastic film band is wound around the object to be wrapped at least in the region near its first end face,
• the second end of the protective plastic film is lifted over the opposite end face of the object to be wrapped onto its upper face,
• a length of protective plastic film band is wound around the object to be wrapped in the region near this second end face, too, so that the entire object to be wrapped will be protected.

[0010] According to a third embodiment of the method of the invention,

• after the first end portion has been wrapped, the protective plastic film band forming the wrapping is seamed and severed,
• the protective plastic film protecting the end faces and supplied from a roll is severed and the object to be wrapped is conveyed out of the wrapping station,
• the second end of the protective plastic film protecting the end faces is lifted over the second end face of the object to be wrapped onto its upper face, whereupon the second end is wrapped and the wrapping film band is seamed and severed.

[0011] Yet another preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that

• in the wrapping station, the end of the protective film band is pulled from the roll from below in an upward direction so as to bring it to a position in front of the object to be wrapped,
• that the object to be wrapped is moved in the wrapping station so that the first end of the object pushes the protective film band reeled off the roll before it,
• the object to be wrapped is moved in the wrapping station far enough for the protective film band reeled off the roll to cover, in addition to the end face of the first end portion of the object to be wrapped, at least part of the upper and lower faces of said end portion,
• that a length of wrapping film band is wrapped around the first end portion of the object to be wrapped so that at least part of the protective film band covering the lower and upper faces of the first end portion remains under a wrapping film layer,
• that the wrapping film band is seamed and severed,
• that the protective film band reeled off the roll is cut off at a point far enough from the object to be wrapped to leave with the object to be wrapped a protective film sheet that is longer than the object,
• that the object to be wrapped is moved with its first end first at least partially out of the wrapping station so that at least part of the protective film sheet remains under the object to be wrapped, between the object and a conveyor,
• that the trailing end of the protective film sheet now lying near the second end of the object to be wrapped is lifted to a level above the upper part of the object to be wrapped,
• that the object to be wrapped is moved back into the wrapping station with the second end first far enough to cause the trailing end of the protective film sheet to turn onto the second end portion of the object to be wrapped, so that, in addition to the end face of the second end portion of the object to be wrapped, the protective film sheet also covers at least part of the upper and lower faces of said end portion,
• that a length of wrapping film band is wrapped around the second end portion of the object to be wrapped so that at least part of the protective film sheet covering the lower and upper faces of the second end portion remains under a wrapping film layer,
• and that a length of wrapping film band is wrapped around the object to be wrapped.

[0012] The essential point about the method of the invention is that the wrapping process is continuous and flexible. As the protective film protecting the end faces of the object to be wrapped is supplied from a roll and is cut into an appropriate length depending on the size of the object to be wrapped, this method can be used to wrap up objects of widely varying sizes.

APPARATUS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention also pertains to a wrapping machine comprising a wrapping system for wrapping a protective plastic film band around an object to be wrapped.

FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF THE APPARATUS OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The wrapping machine of the invention is characterized in that the wrapping machine comprises

• a device for pulling the end of a protective film band from a roll to a position in front of an object to be wrapped,
• a device for moving the object to be wrapped so that the first end face of the object pushes the protective film band reeled off the roll before it, and so that the protective film band remains in contact with a first lateral side surface or the bottom face of the object,
• a device for turning the first end of the protective film sheet against a second side surface opposite to said first lateral side surface or the bottom face,
• a device for wrapping a length of wrapping film band around the first end portion of the object to be wrapped so that at least parts of the protective film band covering the two opposite side surfaces of the object remain under a wrapping film layer,
• a device for seaming and severing the wrapping film band,
• a device for severing the protective film band coming from the roll at a point far enough from the object to be wrapped for the object to be left with a protective film sheet that is longer than the object,
• a device for moving the object to be wrapped with its first end first at least partially out of the wrapping station,
• a device for turning the trailing end of the protective film sheet to a position in front of end face of the second end of the object be wrapped,
• a device for moving the object to be wrapped back to the wrapping station,
• a device for turning the trailing end of the protective film sheet against the same side surface of the object as the first end of the protective film sheet,
• and a device for wrapping a length of wrapping film band around the second portion end of the object to be wrapped so that at least parts of the protective film band covering the two opposite side surfaces of the object remain under a wrapping film layer.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE APPARATUS OF THE INVENTION

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the wrapping machine comprises a mechanism for providing the object to be wrapped with a protective film covering both end faces and the bottom of the object.

[0016] According to a second preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the wrapping machine comprises a device for adding a protective film under the bottom and onto both end faces of the object to be wrapped.

[0017] According to a third preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the wrapping machine comprises

• a reel for protective film band intended for the protection of the end faces of the object to be wrapped,
• a device for passing the end of the protective film band under the bottom of the object to be wrapped and over its first end portion,
• a cutting device for severing the protective film band,
• and a lifting device for lifting the severed end of the protective film sheet onto the second end portion of the object to be wrapped,

[0018] Yet another preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention is characterized in that the wrapping machine comprises

• a device for pulling the end of the protective film band from a roll from below in an upward direction to a position in front of the object to be wrapped,
• a device for moving the object to be wrapped so that the first end portion of the object is in the wrapping station,
• a device for covering the first end portion of the object to be wrapped with protective film band so that the end of the protective film band reeled off a roll below the object to be wrapped is over the first end portion of the object and that, in addition to covering the end face of the first end portion of the object to be wrapped, the protective film band also covers at least part of the upper and lower faces of said end portion,
• a device for wrapping the first end portion of the object to be wrapped with wrapping film band so that at least part of the protective film band covering the lower and upper faces of the first end portion remains under a wrapping film layer,
• a device for seaming and severing the wrapping film band,
• a device for severing the protective film band coming from the roll at a point far enough from the object to be wrapped for the object to be left with a protective film sheet that is longer than the object,
• a device for moving the object to be wrapped with its first end first at least partially out of the wrapping station so that at least part of the protective film sheet remains under the object to be wrapped, between the object and a conveyor,
• a device for lifting the trailing end of the protective film sheet lying near the second end of the object to be wrapped to a level above the upper part of the object to be wrapped,
• a device for moving the object to be wrapped backward so that the second end portion is in the wrapping station,
• a device for bringing the trailing end of the protective film sheet onto the second end portion of the object to be wrapped so that, in addition to covering the end face of the second end portion of the object to be wrapped, the protective film sheet also covers at least part of the upper and lower faces of said end portion,
• a device for wrapping a length of wrapping film band around the second end portion of the object to be wrapped so that at least part of the protective film sheet covering the lower and upper faces of the second end portion remains under a wrapping film layer,
• a device for wrapping a length of wrapping film band around the object to be wrapped.

[0019] As the apparatus of the invention comprises no separate devices for covering the two end faces, it is compact, simple and reliable in operation.

EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] In the following, the invention will be described in detail by the aid of a few examples of its embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein

LIST OF DRAWINGS

[0021] 

Fig. 1

presents a wrapping machine according to the invention in side view.

Figs. 2 - 8

correspond to Fig. 1, illustrating different stages of a wrapping operation.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Fig. 1 presents a wrapping machine 10 provided with conveyors 11, 12 and 13 for moving an object to be wrapped into and out of a wrapping station 20. The wrapping station 20 comprises a wrapping apparatus with a circular wrapping ring known in itself, by means of which the object to be wrapped, placed on conveyor 12, is wrapped with plastic film band. In Fig. 1, the circular wrapping apparatus 21 is only shown in a diagrammatic form. The figure shows a rotating ring 22 and a roll 23 of plastic film band. The object is wrapped in a known manner by bringing it onto the conveyor 12 in the wrapping station 20 and then wrapping a length of prestretched thin plastic film band from the roll 23 around both the object and the conveyor 12. After the wrapped object has been moved away from the conveyor 12 in the wrapping station 20 onto an outlet conveyor 13, the plastic film contracts and tightens around the object to be wrapped.

[0023] The essential point about the wrapping machine 10 in Fig. 1 is that the wrapping station 20 also comprises an apparatus 30 for protecting the end faces of the object to be wrapped, comprising a plastic film roll 31, a device 32 for cutting the band, a gripper 33 and a mechanism 40 for lifting the end of the plastic film. The operation of these elements will be described in greater detail in connection with the following figures.

[0024] Fig. 2 illustrates a situation where the object 14 to be wrapped has been moved by the inlet conveyor 11 to position near the wrapping station 20. The first step in the wrapping process is that the gripper 33 moves down along a guide rail 24 to a device 23 for severing the band, whereupon the gripper 33 takes hold of the end of the protective film band supplied from the plastic film band roll 31. The plastic film band on roll 31 may be substantially thicker than the shrinkable plastic band on the wrapping plastic roll 23.

[0025] While the gripper 33 is moving down along the guide rail 24, a photosensitive cell 34 mounted on the gripper 33 measures the height of the object 14 to be wrapped. This height measurement is needed for determining the height of the end face 15 of the object 14 to be wrapped, this measurement being needed for the calculation of the length of the continuous plastic sheet required for covering both end faces 15.

[0026] In Fig. 3, the gripper 33 has been moved up along the guide rail 24, the gripper 33 simultaneously pulling up a length of plastic film 35 from the roll 31. Next, the conveyor 11 moves the object 14 to be wrapped into the wrapping station 20. The forward end face 15a of the object 14 to be wrapped is now pressed against the plastic film 35, pushing the film 35 before it. The plastic film band roll 31 rotates freely, continuously supplying more plastic film 35. When the object 14 to be wrapped in Fig. 3 has advanced far enough for its forward end face 15a to touch the flexible flap 26, the plastic film 35 is squeezed between the end face 15a and the flap 26. As the object 14 to be wrapped moves further right in Fig. 3, the plastic film 35 remains in contact with the surface of the object 14 while the advancing object 14 continues pulling more plastic film 35 from the roll 31.

[0027] In Fig. 4 it can be seen that the forward end portion of the object 14 to be wrapped has advanced into the rotating wrapping ring 22 in the wrapping station. The gripper 33 has moved somewhat downward along the guide rail 24, and as the object 14 has been moving, the gripper 33 has released it hold of the end 36 of the plastic film 35. However, the flexible flap 26 attached to the gripper 33 presses the end of the plastic film 35 as the upper surface of the object 14, keeping the plastic film 35 in place on the surface of the object 14. As the object 14 moves right in Fig. 4, more plastic film 35 is supplied from the plastic film roll 31 so that the plastic film 35 covers part of the upper surface of the object 14, its forward end face 15a and almost the entire bottom face 16. After this, the ring-like wrapping apparatus 21 wraps a length of thin wrapping plastic film 28 over the plastic film 35 already on the surface of the object 14. At this stage, the conveyor 12 in the wrapping station 20 also remains inside the wrapping.

[0028] After the forward portion of the object 14 has been wrapped sufficiently, the topmost layers 28 of wrapping plastic band are seamed together and the plastic band is severed in a known manner. Next, the partially wrapped object 14 is moved from conveyor 12 onto the outlet conveyor 13 and thus out of the wrapping station 20. During this movement, the cutting device 32 for severing the plastic film band 35 cuts off the band 35 at a point such that the sheet of plastic film covering the forward end face 15a and the bottom face 16 will be long enough to cover the hind end face 15b and the adjacent area of the upper surface of the object 14 as well.

[0029] Fig. 5 presents a situation where a partially wrapped object 14 has been moved from the wrapping station 20 onto the outlet conveyor 13. During the exit movement, the cutting device 32 for severing the plastic film band 35 has cut off the plastic film band, whose trailing end 37 is lying free on the conveyor 12 in the wrapping station 20. To allow the hind end face 15b and the adjacent portion of the object 14 to be wrapped, the plastic film band 35 has to be lifted against the end face 15b so that the end 37 of the plastic film band extends over the object 14. For this purpose, a lifting device 41 comprised in a mechanism (40) for lifting the end of the plastic film moves down along a guide rail 25 so that the plastic film 35 remains squeezed between an upper bar 42 and a supporting bar 43. The lifting device 41 is provided with hooks 44, by means of which the supporting bar 43 can be lifted up. Attached to the upper bar 42 is a brush 45, which is designed to keep the plastic film between the upper bar 42 and the film supporting bar 43 suitably tensioned when the plastic film 35 is sliding through the gap between these bars.

[0030] In Fig. 6, the lifting device 41 comprised in the mechanism for lifting the end of the plastic film has been moved downward along the guide rail 25 so that the plastic film 35 remains between the upper bar 42 and the film supporting bar 43. At the same time, the hooks 44 have engaged the film supporting bar 43 so that both bars 42 and 43 can be lifted up simultaneously.

[0031] In Fig. 7, the lifting device 41 and the 42 and 43 connected to it have been raised to a higher position along the guide rail 25. The plastic film 35 is sliding through the gap between the bars 42 and 43. However, the brush 45 keeps the plastic film band 35 at a suitable tightness so that the object to be wrapped 14 can be moved left in Fig. 7 toward the wrapping station 20. As the object to be wrapped 14 is advancing under the film supporting bar 43, the end 37 of the plastic film 35 is bent over onto the upper surface of the object 14. As the object 14 continues moving on, the flexible flap 27 attached to the lifting device 41 presses the plastic film 35 and its end 37 tightly against the upper surface of the object to be wrapped 14.

[0032] In Fig. 8, the portion adjacent to end face 15b of the object to be wrapped has been brought to a position within the circular wrapping apparatus 21, to be wrapped with plastic film 28. As can be seen from the figure, the end 37 of the plastic film 35 covering the end faces 15a and 15b as well as the bottom face of the object 14 is pressed by the flexible flap 27 against the upper surface of the object 14. Wrapping can now be started, the object 14 as well as the conveyor 12 in the wrapping station 20 being covered by the plastic film band 28. After this end portion of the object 14 has been wrapped up and the wrapping plastic 28 seamed and cut off, the result is an object 14 completely wrapped up with tight plastic layers 35 and 28 covering it on all sides. After this, the object 14 is removed from the wrapping station onto the outlet conveyor 13, whereupon the wrapping plastic layers 28 left loose to accommodate the wrapping station conveyor 12 shrink tightly over the plastic film sheet 35 covering the end faces 15a and 15b of the object 14.

[0033] After the object 14 has been wrapped up and removed from the wrapping station 20, the lifting apparatus 40 for lifting the end of the plastic film returns the film supporting bar 43 back to the low position in which it is supported by the supporters 46. The hooks 44 of the lifting device 41 are released from the film supporting bar 43 and the lifting device returns to its high position to be ready for the next object to be wrapped. The wrapping machine 10 is now again in a condition of readiness as illustrated in Fig. 1, ready to wrap the next object.

[0034] It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be varied within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Wrapping film package in which the two opposite end faces (15a, 15b) of an object (14) are covered with a length of protective film (35) and a length of wrapping film band (28) is wrapped around the side surfaces of the object,
characterized in

- that the two opposite end faces (15a, 15b) of the object (14) are covered with the same sheet of protective film (35) which, in addition to the end faces, also covers a first lateral side surface or the bottom face of the object, forming an additional protective layer on it for transport and removal situations,

- and that the object (14) is wrapped with wrapping film band (28) so that the wrapping film covers that portion of the protective film sheet (35) which is on the said first lateral side surface or under the bottom (16) of the object as well as the ends (36, 37) of the protective film sheet turned on the second side surface opposite to said first lateral side surface or the bottom face.

2. Wrapping method, whereby in a wrapping station (20) the two opposite end faces (15a, 15b) of an object (14) to be wrapped are covered with a length of protective film (35) and a length of wrapping film band (28) is wrapped around the side surfaces of the object,
characterized in that the wrapping method comprises the following steps:

- in the wrapping station (20), the end (36) of a protective film band (35) is drawn from a roll (31) to a position in front of the object (14) to be wrapped,

- the object (14) to be wrapped is moved in the wrapping station (20) so that the first end face (15a) of the object pushes the protective film band (35) reeled off the roll (31) before it, and so that the protective film band remains in contact with a first lateral side surface or the bottom face of the object,

- the first end of the object (14) to be wrapped is brought to a position within the wrapping apparatus (21) and the first end (36) of the protective film sheet (35) is turned against a second side surface opposite to said first lateral side surface or the bottom face,

- the first end portion of the object (14) to be wrapped is wrapped with a length of wrapping film band (28) so that at least parts (35, 36) of the protective film band covering the two opposite side surfaces of the object remain under a wrapping film layer,

- the wrapping film band (28) is seamed and severed,

- the protective film band (35) reeled off the roll (31) is cut off at a point far enough from the object (14) to be wrapped to leave with the object a protective film sheet that is longer than the object,

- the object (14) to be wrapped is moved with its first end first at least partially out of the wrapping station (20),

- the trailing end (37) of the protective film sheet (35) is turned to a position in front of the second end face (15b) of the object (14) to be wrapped,

- the object (14) to be wrapped is moved backward with the second end face (15b) first so far that the second end of the object is brought to a position within the wrapping apparatus (21) in the wrapping station (20),

- the trailing end (37) of the protective film sheet (35) is turned against the same side surface of the object (14) as the first end (36) of the protective film sheet,

- and a length of wrapping film band (28) is wrapped around the second end portion of the object (14) to be wrapped so that at least parts (35, 36) of the protective film band covering the two opposite side surfaces of the object remain under a wrapping film layer,

3. Wrapping method as defined in claim 2,
characterized in

- that in the wrapping station (20), the end (36) of the protective film band (35) is pulled from the roll (31) from below in an upward direction so as to bring it to a position in front of the object (14) to be wrapped,

- that the object (14) to be wrapped is moved in the wrapping station (20) so that the first end of the object pushes the protective film band (35) reeled off the roll (31) before it,

- that the object (14) to be wrapped is moved in the wrapping station (20) far enough for the protective film band (35) reeled off the roll (31) to cover, in addition to the end face (15a) of the first end portion of the object to be wrapped, at least part of the upper and lower (16) faces of said end portion,

- that a length of wrapping film band (28) is wrapped around the first end portion of the object (14) so that at least part of the protective film band (35) covering the lower face (16) and the upper face of the first end portion remains under a wrapping film layer,

- that the wrapping film band (28) is seamed and severed,

- that the protective film band (35) reeled off the roll (31) is cut off at a point far enough from the object (14) to be wrapped to leave with the object a protective film sheet that is longer than the object,

- that the object (14) to be wrapped is moved with its first end first at least partially out of the wrapping station (20) so that at least part of the protective film sheet (35) remains under the object to be wrapped, between the object and a conveyor (13),

- that the trailing end (37) of the protective film sheet (35) lying near the second end of the object (14) to be wrapped is lifted to a level above the upper part of the object to be wrapped,

- that the object (14) to be wrapped is moved backward into the wrapping station (20) with the second end first far enough to cause the trailing end (37) of the protective film sheet (35) to turn onto the second end portion of the object to be wrapped, so that, in addition to covering the end face (15b) of the second end portion of the object to be wrapped, the protective film sheet (35) also covers at least part of the upper face and lower face (16) of said end portion,

- that a length of wrapping film band (28) is wrapped around the second end portion of the object (14) to be wrapped so that at least part of the protective film sheet (35) covering the lower face (16) and upper face of the second end portion remains under a wrapping film layer,

- and that a length of wrapping film band (28) is wrapped around the object (14) to be wrapped.

4. Wrapping machine (10), comprising an apparatus (30) for covering the two opposite end faces (15a, 15b) of an object (14) to be wrapped with a protective film (35) and a wrappi apparatus (20) for wrapping a length of wrapping film band (28) around the side surfaces of the object,
characterized in that the wrapping machine (10) comprises

- a device (33) for pulling the end of a protective film band (35) from a roll (31) to a position in front of the object (14) to be wrapped,

- a device (11, 12) for moving the object (14) to be wrapped so that the first end face (15a) of the object pushes the protective film band (35) reeled off the roll (31) before it, and so that the protective film band remains in contact with a first lateral side surface or the bottom face of the object,

- a device (26) for turning the first end (36) of the protective film sheet (35) against a second side surface opposite to said first lateral side surface or the bottom face,

- a device (21, 23) for wrapping a length of wrapping film band (28) around the first end portion of the object (14) to be wrapped so that at least parts (35, 36) of the protective film band (35) covering the two opposite side surfaces of the object remain under a wrapping film layer,

- a device (20) for seaming and severing the wrapping film band (28),

- a device (32) for severing the protective film band (35) coming from the roll (31) at a point far enough from the object (14) to be wrapped for the object to be left with a protective film sheet that is longer than the object,

- a device (12, 13) for moving the object (14) to be wrapped with its first end first at least partially out of the wrapping station (20),

- a device (42, 43, 45) for turning the trailing end (37) of the protective film sheet (35) to a position in front of end face (15b) of the second end of the object (14) be wrapped,

- a device (12, 13) for moving the object (14) to be wrapped back to the wrapping station (20),

- a device (27) for turning the trailing end (37) of the protective film sheet (35) against the same side surface of the object (14) as the first end (36) of the protective film sheet,

- and a device (21, 23) for wrapping a length of wrapping film band (28) around the second end portion of the object (14) to be wrapped so that at least parts (35, 36) of the protective film band (35) covering the two opposite side surfaces of the object remain under a wrapping film layer.

5. Wrapping machine (10) as defined in claim 4,
characterized in that the wrapping machine (10) comprises

- a device (33) for pulling the end (36) of the protective film band (35) from a roll (31) from below in an upward direction to a position in front of the object to be wrapped,

- a device (11, 12) for moving the object (14) to be wrapped so that the first end portion of the object is in the wrapping station (20),

- a device (26) for covering the first end portion of the object (14) to be wrapped with a length of protective film band (35) so that the end (36) of the protective film band reeled off a roll (31) below the object lies over the first end portion of the object and that, in addition to covering the end face (15a) of the first end portion of the object to be wrapped, the protective film band also covers at least part of the upper face and lower face (16) of said end portion,

- a device (23) for wrapping the first end portion of the object (14) with a length of wrapping film band (28) so that at least part of the protective film band (35) covering the lower face (16) and upper face of the first end portion remains under a wrapping film layer,

- a device (20) for seaming and severing the wrapping film band (28),

- a device (32) for severing the protective film band coming from the roll (31) at a point far enough from the object (14) to be wrapped for the object to be left with a protective film sheet that is longer than the object,

- a device (12, 13) for moving the object (14) to be wrapped with its first end first at least partially out of the wrapping station (20) so that at least part of the protective film sheet (35) remains under the object to be wrapped, between the object and a conveyor (13),

- a device (42, 43, 45) for lifting the trailing end (37) of the protective film sheet (35) lying near the second end of the object (14) to be wrapped to a level above the upper part of the object to be wrapped,

- a device (11), 12) for moving the object (14) backward so that the second end portion of the object is in the wrapping station (20),

- a device (27) for bringing the trailing end (37) of the protective film sheet (35) onto the second end portion of the object (14) to be wrapped so that, in addition to covering the end face (15b) of the second end portion of the object, the protective film sheet also covers at least part of the upper face and lower face (16) of said end portion,

- a device (23) for wrapping a length of wrapping film band (28) around the second end portion of the object (14) to be wrapped so that at least part of the protective film sheet (35) covering the lower face (16) and upper face of the second end portion remains under a wrapping film layer,

- and a device (23) for wrapping a length of wrapping film (28) band around the object (14) to be wrapped.

Ansprüche

1. Eine Wickelfolienverpackung, in welcher die zwei entgegengesetzte Endflächen (15a, 15b) eines Gegenstandes (14) mit einer Schutzfolie (35) bedeckt sind und die Seitenflächen des Gegenstandes mit Wickelfolienband umwickelt sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet,

- daß die beiden entgegengesetzten Endflächen (15a, 15b) des Gegenstandes (14) mit demselben Schutzfolienbogen (35) bedeckt sind, welcher außer den Endflächen auch eine erste laterale Seitenfläche oder die Unterfläche des Gegenstandes bedeckt, wobei darauf eine zusätzliche Schutzschicht für Transport- und Verschiebungssituationen gebildet wird,

- und daß der Gegenstand (14) mit Wickelfolienband (28) so umwickelt ist, daß die Wickelfolie den auf der genannten ersten lateralen Seitenfläche oder unter dem Boden (16) des Gegenstandes liegenden Teil des Schutzfolienbogens (35) sowie die auf die der genannten ersten Seitenfläche oder der Unterfläche engegengesetzte zweite Seitenfläche gefalteten Enden (36, 37) des Schutzfolienbogens bedeckt.

2. Ein Wickelverfahren, wonach in einer Wickelstation (20) die beiden Endflächen (15a, 15b) eines zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) mit Schutzfolie (35) bedeckt werden und die Seitenfläche des Gegenstandes mit Schutzfolienband (28) umwickelt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Wickelverfahren die folgenden Schritte umfaßt:

- das Ende (36) eines Schutzfolienbandes (35) wird in der Wickestation (20) von einer Rolle (31) vor den zu umwickelnden Gegenstand (14) gezogen,

- der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) wird in der Wickelstation (20) so bewegt, daß die erste Endfläche (15a) des Gegenstandes den von der Rolle abgewickelten Schutzfolienband (35) vor sich schiebt und so, daß der Schutzfolienband in Berührung mit einer ersten lateralen Seitenfläche oder der Unterfläche des Gegenstandes bleibt,

- das erste Ende des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) wird in eine Position innerhalb der Wickelanordnung (21) gebracht und das erste Ende des Schutzfolienbandes (35) wird gegen eine der genannten ersten Seitenfläche oder der Unterfläche entgegengesetzte zweite Seitenfläche gefaltet,

- der erste Endteil des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) wird mit Wickelfolienband (28) so umwickelt, daß wenigstens Teile (35, 36) des die beiden entgegengesetzten Seitenflächen des Gegenstandes bedeckenden Schutzfolienbandes unter einer Wickelfolienschicht bleiben,

- der Wickelfolienband (28) wird gefalzt und und abgeschnitten,

- der von der Rolle (31) abgewickelte Schutzfolienband (35) wird auf einer ausreichend weiter Entfernung vom Gegenstand (14) abgeschnitten, so daß beim Gegenstand ein Schutzfolienbogen bleibt, der länger als der Gegenstand ist,

- der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) wird mit seinem ersten Ende voran wenigstens teilweise aus der Wickelstation (20) herausbewegt,

- das hintere Ende (37) des Schutzfolienbogens (35) wird in eine Position vor der zweiten Endfläche (15b) des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) hochgefaltet,

- der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) wird mit der zweiten Endfläche (15b) voran rückwärts bewegt, bis das zweite Ende des Gegenstandes eine Position innerhalb der Wickelanordnung (21) in der Wickelstation (20) erreicht,

- das hintere Ende (37) des Schutzfolienbogens (35) wird gegen dieselbe Seitenfläche des Gegenstandes (14) wie das erste Ende (36) des Schutzfolienbogens gefaltet,

- und der zweite Endteil des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) wird mit Wickelfolienband (28) so umwickelt, daß wenigstens Teile (35, 36) des die beiden entgegengesetzten Seitenflächen des Gegenstandes bedeckenden Schutzfolienbandes unter einer Wickelfolienschicht bleiben.

3. Ein Wickelverfahren gemäß Patentanspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet,

- daß in der Wickelstation (20) das Ende (36) des Schutzfolienbandes (35) von unten nach oben gezogen wird, um es in eine Position vor dem zu umwickelnden Gegenstand (14) zu bringen,

- daß der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) in der Wickelstation (20) so bewegt wird, daß das erste Ende des Gegenstandes den von der Rolle (31) abgewickelten Schutzfolienband (35) vor sich shciebt,

- daß der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) in der Wickelstation (20) weiter bewegt wird, bis der von der Rolle (31) abgewickelte Schutzfolienband (35) außer der ersten Endfläche (15a) des ersten Endteiles des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes wenigstens auch einen Teil der oberen und unteren (16) Flächen des genannten Endteiles bedeckt,

- daß der erste Endteil des Gegenstandes (14) mit Wickelfolienband (28) so umwickelt wird, daß wenigstens ein Teil des die untere Fläche (16) und die obere Fläche des ersten Endteiles bedeckenden Schutzfolienbandes (35) unter einer Wickelfolienschicht bleibt,

- daß der Wickelfolienband (28) gefalzt und abgeschnitten wird,

- daß der von der Rolle (31) abgewickelte Schutzfolienband (35) auf einer ausreichend weiter Entfernung vom Gegenstand (14) abgeschnitten, so daß beim Gegenstand ein Schutzfolienbogen bleibt, der länger als der Gegenstand ist,

- daß der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) mit seinem ersten Ende voran wenigstens teilweise aus der Wickelstation (20) herausbewegt wird, wobei wenigstens ein Teil des Schutzfolienbogens (35) unter dem zu umwickelnden Gegenstand, zwischen dem Gegenstand und einem Beförderer (13) bleibt,

- daß das nahe beim zweiten Ende des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) liegende hintere Ende (37) des Schutzfolienbogens (35) auf eine Höhe oberhalb des oberen Teiles des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes erhoben wird,

- daß der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) rückwärts mit dem zweiten Ende voran weit genug in die Wickelstation (20) bewegt wird, um das hintere Ende (37) des Schutzfolienbogens (35) auf den zweiten Endteil des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes gefaltet werden zu lassen, so daß der Schutzfolienbogen (35) außer der Endfläche (15b) des zweiten Endteiles des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes wenigstens teilweise auch die obere Fläche und die untere Fläche (16) des genannten Endteiles bedeckt,

- daß der zweite Endteil des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) mit Wickelfolienband (28) so umwickelt wird, daß wenigstens ein Teil des die untere Fläche (16) und die obere Fläche des zweiten Endteiles bedeckenden Schutzfolienbogens (35) unter einer Wickelfolienschicht bleibt,

- und daß der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) mit Wickelfolienband (28) umwickelt wird.

4. Eine Wickelmaschine (10), die eine Aonordnung (30) zum Bedecken der beiden Endflächen (15a, 15b) eines mit einer Schutzfolie (35) zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) sowie eine Wickelanordnung (20) zum Umwickeln der Seitenflächen des Gegenstandes mit Wickelfolienband (28) umfaßt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wickelmaschine (10)

- eine Vorrichtung (33) zum Ziehen des Endes eines Schutzfolienbogens (35) von einer Rolle (31) in eine vor dem zu umwickelnden Gegenstand (14) befindliche Lage,

- eine Vorrichtung (11, 12), die den zu umwickelnden Gegenstand (14) so bewegt, daß die erste Endfläche (15a) des Gegenstandes den von der Rolle (31) abgewickelten Schutzfolienband (35) vor sich shiebt und so daß der Schutzfolienband in Berührung mit einer ersten lateralen Seitenfläche oder der Unterfläche des Gegenstandes bleibt,

- eine Vorrichtung (26) zum Falten des ersten Endes (36) des Schutzfolienbogens (35) gegen eine zweite, der genannten ersten lateralen Seitenfläche oder der Unterfläche entgegengesetzte Seitenfläche,

- eine Vorrichtung (21, 23), mittels derer der erste Endteil des Gegenstandes (14) mit Wickelfolienband (28) so umwickelt wird, daß wenigstens Teile (35, 36) des die beiden entgegengesetzten Seitenflächen des Gegenstandes bedeckenden Schutzfolienbandes (35) unter einer Wickelfolienschicht bleiben,

- eine Vorrichtung (20) zum Falzen und Abschneiden des Wickelfolienbandes (28),

- eine Vorrichtung (32), mittels derer der von der Rolle (31) abgewickelten Schutzfolienband (35) auf einer ausreichend weiter Entfernung vom Gegenstand (14) abgeschnitten wird, so daß beim Gegenstand ein Schutzfolienbogen bleibt, der länger als der Gegenstand ist,

- eine Vorrichtung (12, 13), mittels derer der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) mit seinem ersten Ende voran wenigstens teilweise aus der Wickelstation (20) herausbewegt wird,

- eine Vorrichtung (42, 43, 45), mittels derer das hintere Ende (37) des Schutzfolienbogens (35) in eine Position vor der zweiten Endfläche (15b) des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) hochgefaltet wird,

- eine Vorrichtung (12, 13) zum Bewegen des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) zurück in die Wickelstation (20),

- eine Vorrichtung (27), mittels derer das hintere Ende (37) des Schutzfolienbogens (35) gegen dieselbe Seitenfläche des Gegenstandes (14) wie das erste Ende (36) des Schutzfolienbogens gefaltet wird,

- und eine Vorrichtung (21, 23), mittels derer der zweite Endteil des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) mit Wickelfolienband (28) so umwickelt wird, daß wenigstens Teile (35, 36) des die beiden entgegengesetzten Seitenflächen des Gegenstandes bedeckenden Schutzfolienbandes (35) unter einer Wickelfolienschicht bleiben, umfaßt.

5. Eine Wickelmaschine (10) wie sie im Patentanspruch 4 definiert wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wickelmaschine (10)

- eine Vorrichtung zum Ziehen des Endes (36) des Schutzfolienbandes (35) von unten nach oben in eine Position vor dem zu umwickelnden Gegenstand (14),

- eine Vorrichtung (11, 12), mittels derer der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) so bewegt wird, daß sich der erste Endteil des Gegenstandes in der Wickelstation (20) befindet,

- eine Vorrichtung (26) zum Bedecken des ersten Endteiles des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) mit Schutzfolienband (35) so, daß das Ende (36) des von einer unterhalb des Gegenstandes befindlichen Rolle (31) abgewickelten Schutzfolienbandes (35) über dem ersten Endteil des Gegenstandes liegt und daß der Schutzfolienband, außer Bedecken der ersten Endfläche (15a) des ersten Endteiles des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes, wenigstens auch einen Teil der oberen Fläche und der unteren (16) Fläche des genannten Endteiles bedeckt,

- eine Vorrichtung (23), mittels derer der erste Endteil des Gegenstandes (14) mit Wickelfolienband (28) so umwickelt wird, daß wenigstens ein Teil des die untere Fläche (16) und die obere Fläche des ersten Endteiles bedeckenden Schutzfolienbandes (35) unter einer Wickelfolienschicht bleibt,

- eine Vorrichtung (20) zum Falzen und Abschneiden des Wickelfolienbandes (28),

- eine Vorrichtung (32), mittels derer der von der Rolle (31) abgewickelte Schutzfolienband auf einer ausreichend weiter Entfernung von dem zu umwickelnden Gegenstand (14) so abgeschnitten wird, daß beim Gegenstand ein Schutzfolienbogen bleibt, der länger als der Gegenstand ist,

- eine Vorrichtung (12, 13), mittels derer der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) mit seinem ersten Ende voran wenigstens teilweise aus der Wickelstation (20) herausbewegt wird, wobei wenigstens ein Teil des Schutzfolienbogens (35) unter dem zu umwickelnden Gegenstand, zwischen dem Gegenstand und einem Beförderer (13) bleibt,

- eine Vorrichtung (42, 43, 45) zum Erheben des nahe beim zweiten Ende des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) liegenden hinteren Endes (37) des Schutzfolienbogens (35) auf eine Höhe oberhalb des oberen Teiles des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes,

- eine Vorrichtung (11, 12), mittels derer der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) rückwärts so bewegt wird, daß sich der zweite Endteil des Gegenstandes in der Wickelstation (20) befindet,

- eine Vorrichtung (27), mittels derer das hintere Ende (37) des Schutzfolienbogens (35) auf den zweiten Endteil des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) gebracht wird, so daß der Schutzfolienbogen (35) außer der Endfläche (15b) des zweiten Endteiles des Gegenstandes wenigstens teilweise auch die obere Fläche und die untere Fläche (16) des genannten Endteiles bedeckt,

- eine Vorrichtung (23), mittels derer der zweite Endteil des zu umwickelnden Gegenstandes (14) mit Wickelfolienband (28) so umwickelt wird, daß wenigstens ein Teil des die untere Fläche (16) und die obere Fläche des zweiten Endteiles bedeckenden Schutzfolienbogens (35) unter einer Wickelfolienschicht bleibt,

- und eine Vorrichtung (23), mittels derer der zu umwickelnde Gegenstand (14) mit Wickelfolienband (28) umwickelt wird,

umfaßt.

Revendications

1. Emballage en film d'enveloppage dans lequel les deux faces d'extrémité opposées (15a, 15b) d'un objet (14) sont couvertes d'une longueur de film protecteur (35), et une longueur de bande de film plastique (28) est enroulée autour des faces latérales de l'objet, caractérisé en ce

- que les deux faces d'extrémité opposées (15a, 15b) de l'objet (14) sont couvertes avec la même feuille de film protecteur (35) qui, en plus des faces d'extrémité, couvre également une première surface latérale ou la face de dessous de l'objet, tout en formant une couche de protection supplémentaire sur lui pour les situations de transport et d'enlèvement,

- et que l'objet (14) est enveloppé avec une bande de film d'enveloppage (28) de façon à ce que le film d'enveloppage couvre la portion de la feuille de film protecteur (35) qui se trouve sur ladite première surface latérale ou sous le dessous (16) de l'objet ainsi que les extrémités (36, 37) de la feuille de film protecteur tournées sur la deuxième surface latérale opposée à ladite première surface latérale ou la face de dessous.

2. Méthode d'enveloppage consistant, dans un poste d'enveloppage (20), à couvrir les deux faces d'extrémité opposées (15a, 15b) d'un objet (14) à envelopper d'une longueur de film protecteur (35) et à enrouler une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) autour des surfaces latérales de l'objet, caractérisée en ce que la méthode d'enveloppage comprend les phases suivantes

- dans le poste d'enveloppage (20), l'extrémité (36) d'une bande de film protecteur (35) est tirée à partir d'une bobine (31) afin de l'amener à une position devant l'objet (14) à envelopper,

- l'objet (14) à envelopper est mû dans le poste d'enveloppage (20) de façon à ce que la première face d'extrémité (15a) de l'objet pousse la bande de film protecteur (35) déroulée de la bobine (31) devant elle et à ce que la bande de film protecteur reste en contact avec une première surface latérale ou avec la face de dessous de l'objet,

- la première extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper est amenée à une position au sein de l'appareil d'enveloppage (21) et la première extrémité (36) de la feuille de film protecteur (35) est tournée contre une deuxième surface latérale opposée à ladite première surface latérale ou la face de dessous,

- la première portion d'extrémité de l'objet à envelopper (14) est enveloppée avec une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) de façon à ce qu'au moins des parties (35,36) de la bande de film protecteur couvrant les deux surfaces latérales opposées de l'objet restent sous une couche de film d'enveloppage,

- la bande de film d'enveloppage (28) est soudée et coupée,

- la bande de film protecteur (35) déroulée de la bobine (31) est coupée à un point suffisamment éloigné de l'objet (14) à envelopper afin de laisser à l'objet une feuille de film protecteur qui est plus longue que l'objet,

- l'objet (14) à envelopper est mû, avec sa première extrémité d'abord, au moins partiellement hors du poste d'enveloppage (20),

- l'extrémité arrière (37) de la feuille de film protecteur (35) est tournée dans une position devant la deuxième face d'extrémité (15b) de l'objet (14) à envelopper,

- l'objet à envelopper (14) est mû en arrière, avec la deuxième face d'extrémité (15b) d'abord, jusqu'à ce que la deuxième extrémité de l'objet soit amenée à une position au sein de l'appareil d'enveloppage (21) dans le poste d'enveloppage (20),

- l'extrémité arrière (37) de la feuille de film protecteur (35) est tournée contre la même surface latérale de l'objet (14) que la première extrémité (36) de la feuille de film protecteur,

- et une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) est enroulée autour de la deuxième portion d'extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper, de façon à ce qu'au moins des parties (35, 36) de la bande de film protecteur couvrant les deux surfaces latérales opposées de l'objet restent sous une couche de film d'enveloppage.

3. Méthode d'enveloppage selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce

- que, dans un poste d'enveloppage (20), l'extrémité (36) de la bande de film protecteur (35) est tirée à partir d'une bobine (31) par le bas dans une direction ascendante afin de l'amener à une position devant l'objet (14) à envelopper,

- que l'objet (14) à envelopper est mû dans le poste d'enveloppage (20) de façon à ce que la première face d'extrémité (15a) de l'objet pousse la bande de film protecteur (35) déroulée de la bobine (31) devant elle,

- que l'objet à envelopper (14) est mû dans le poste d'enveloppage (20) suffisamment loin pour que la bande de film protecteur (35) déroulée da la bobine (31) couvre, en plus de la face d'extrémité (15a) de la première portion d'extrémité de l'objet à envelopper, au moins une partie des faces supérieure et inférieure (16) de ladite portion d'extrémité,

- qu'une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) est enroulée autour de la première portion d'extrémité de l'objet (14) de façon à ce qu'au moins une partie de la bande de film protecteur (35) couvrant la face inférieure (16) et la face supérieure de la première portion d'extrémité reste sous une couche de film d'enveloppage,

- que la bande de film d'enveloppage (28) est soudée et coupée,

- que la bande de film protecteur (35) déroulée de la bobine (31) est coupée à un point suffisamment éloigné de l'objet (14) à envelopper afin de laisser à l'objet une feuille de film protecteur qui est plus longue que l'objet,

- que l'objet (14) à envelopper est mû, avec sa première extrémité d'abord, au moins partiellement hors du poste d'enveloppage (20), de façon à ce qu'au moins une partie de la feuille de film protecteur (35) reste sous l'objet à envelopper, entre l'objet et un convoyeur (13),

- que l'extrémité arrière (37) de la feuille de film protecteur (35) se trouvant près de la deuxième extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper est levée à un niveau au-dessus de la partie supérieure de l'objet à envelopper,

- que l'objet à envelopper (14) est mû en arrière dans le poste d'enveloppage (20), avec la deuxième extrémité d'abord, suffisamment loin pour que l'extrémité arrière (37) de la feuille de film protecteur (35) se tourne sur la deuxième portion d'extrémité de l'objet à envelopper (14) de façon à ce que, en plus de couvrir la face d'extrémité (15b) de la deuxième portion d'extrémité de l'objet à envelopper, la feuille de film protecteur (35) couvre également au moins une partie des faces supérieure et inférieure (16) de ladite portion d'extrémité,

- qu'une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) est enroulée autour de la deuxième portion d'extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper, de façon à ce qu'au moins une partie de la feuille de film protecteur (35) couvrant la face inférieure (16) et la face supérieure de la deuxième portion d'extrémité reste sous une couche de film d'enveloppage.

- et qu'une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) est enroulée autour de l'objet (14) à envelopper.

4. Machine d'enveloppage, comportant un appareil (30) pour couvrir les deux faces d'extrémité opposées (15a, 15b) d'un objet à envelopper avec un film protecteur (35) et un appareil d'enveloppage (20) pour enrouler une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) autour des surfaces latérales de l'objet, caractérisée en ce que la machine d'enveloppage (10) comporte

- un dispositif (33) pour tirer l'extrémité d'une bande de film protecteur (35), à partir d'une bobine (31), dans une position devant l'objet (14) à envelopper,

- un dispositif (11, 12) pour mouvoir l'objet (14) à envelopper de façon à ce que la première face d'extrémité (15a) de l'objet pousse la bande de film protecteur (35) déroulée de la bobine (31) devant elle, et à ce que la bande de film protecteur reste en contact avec une première surface latérale ou la face de dessous de l'objet,

- un dispositif (26) pour tourner la première extrémité (36) de la feuille de film protecteur (35) contre une deuxième surface latérale opposée à ladite première surface latérale ou la face de dessous,

- un dispositif (21, 23) pour enrouler une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) autour de la première portion d'extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper, de façon à ce qu'au moins des parties (35, 36) de la bande de film protecteur (35) couvrant les deux surfaces latérales opposées de l'objet restent sous une couche de film d'enveloppage,

- un dispositif (20) pour souder et couper la bande de film d'enveloppage (28),

- un dispositif (32) pour couper la bande de film protecteur (35) venant de la bobine (31) à un point suffisamment éloigné de l'objet (14) à envelopper afin de laisser à l'objet une feuille de film protecteur qui est plus longue que l'objet,

- un dispositif (12, 13) pour mouvoir l'objet (14) à envelopper, avec sa première extrémité d'abord, au moins partiellement hors du poste d'enveloppage (20),

- un dispositif (42, 43, 45) pour tourner l'extrémité arrière (37) de la feuille de film protecteur (35) dans une position devant la face d'extrémité (15b) de la deuxième extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper,

- un dispositif (12, 13) pour mouvoir l'objet (14) à envelopper de nouveau dans le poste d'enveloppage (20),

- un dispositif (27) pour tourner l'extrémité arrière (37) de la feuille de film protecteur (35) contre la même surface latérale de l'objet (14) que la première extrémité (36) de la feuille de film protecteur,

- et un dispositif (21, 23) pour enrouler une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) autour de la deuxième portion d'extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper, de façon à ce qu'au moins des parties (35,36) de la bande de film protecteur (35) couvrant les deux surfaces latérales opposées de l'objet restent sous une couche de film d'enveloppage.

5. Machine d'enveloppage (10) selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que la machine d'enveloppage (10) comporte

- un dispositif (33) pour tirer l'extrémité (36) d'une bande de film protecteur (35), à partir d'une bobine (31), par le bas dans une direction ascendante, afin de l'amener à une position devant l'objet à envelopper,

- un dispositif (11, 12) pour mouvoir l'objet (14) à envelopper de façon à ce que la première portion d'extrémité de l'objet se trouve dans le poste d'enveloppage,

- un dispositif (26) pour couvrir la première portion d'extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper avec une longueur de bande de film protecteur (35) de façon à ce que l'extrémité (36) de la bande de film protecteur déroulée d'une bobine (31) en dessous de l'objet se trouve au dessus de la première portion d'extrémité de l'objet et que, en plus de couvrir la face d'extrémité (15a) de la première portion d'extrémité de l'objet à envelopper, la bande de film protecteur couvre également au moins une partie de la face supérieure et de la face inférieure (16) de ladite portion d'extrémité,

- un dispositif (23) pour envelopper la première portion d'extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper avec une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28), de façon à ce qu'au moins une partie de la bande de film protecteur (35) couvrant la face inférieure (16) et la face supérieure de la première portion d'extrémité reste sous une couche de film d'enveloppage,

- un dispositif (20) pour souder et couper la bande de film d'enveloppage (28),

- un dispositif (32) pour couper la bande de film protecteur (35) venant de la bobine (31) à un point suffisamment éloigné de l'objet (14) à envelopper afin de laisser à l'objet une feuille de film protecteur qui est plus longue que l'objet,

- un dispositif (12, 13) pour mouvoir l'objet (14) à envelopper, avec sa première extrémité d'abord, au moins partiellement hors du poste d'enveloppage (20), de façon à ce qu'au moins une partie de la feuille de film protecteur (35) reste sous l'objet à envelopper, entre l'objet et un convoyeur (13),

- un dispositif (42, 43, 45) pour lever l'extrémité arrière (37) de la feuille de film protecteur (35) se trouvant près de la deuxième extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper à un niveau au-dessus de la partie supérieure de l'objet à envelopper,

- un dispositif (11, 12) pour mouvoir l'objet à envelopper (14) en arrière dans le poste d'enveloppage (20), de façon à ce que la deuxième portion d'extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper se trouve dans le poste d'enveloppage (20),

- un dispositif (27) pour amener l'extrémité arrière (37) de la feuille de film protecteur (35) sur la deuxième portion d'extrémité de l'objet à envelopper (14) de façon à ce que, en plus de couvrir la face d'extrémité (15b) de la deuxième portion d'extrémité de l'objet à envelopper, la feuille de film protecteur (35) couvre également au moins une partie des faces supérieure et inférieure (16) de ladite portion d'extrémité,

- un dispositif (23) pour enrouler une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) autour de la deuxième portion d'extrémité de l'objet (14) à envelopper, de façon à ce qu'au moins une partie de la feuille de film protecteur (35) couvrant la face inférieure (16) et la face supérieure de la deuxième portion d'extrémité reste sous une couche de film d'enveloppage.

- et un dispositif (23) pour enrouler une longueur de bande de film d'enveloppage (28) autour de l'objet (14) à envelopper.

Drawing