PACKAGE WRAPPING REMOVAL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME

Abstract

A package wrapping removal system and method of operation for removing a wrapping from a product has a first cutter that cuts the wrapping along a first side face of the wrapped product as the product moves along a first transport. A second transport of the system then receives the wrapped product from the first transport. As the wrapped product moves along the second transport, the first cutter and an opposing second cutter cut the wrapping along respective flanking side faces of the product. A vacuum device integrated into the second transport then removes the wrapping as one piece as the unwrapped product continues to move downstream.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a wrapping removal system embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a first perspective end view of the wrapping removal system;

FIG. 3 is a second perspective end view of the wrapping removal system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a series of vacuum apertures taken from circle 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the wrapping removal system with a wrapped product disposed thereon;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the wrapped product;

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of the wrapping removal system similar to FIG. 1 except detailing a first product with a wrapping removed and a second wrapped product with a wrapping being cut;

FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of the wrapping removal system similar to FIG. 7 except detailing the wrapping of the second product being partially removed from the second product and generally held by vacuum apertures of the system;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a wrapping removal system;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cutter of the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the cutter; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a wrapping removal system with an overhead moving device of a transport.

Claims

1. A package wrapping removal system for removing wrapping from a wrapped product comprising: a first transport for moving said wrapped product along a first centerline;a second transport for moving said wrapped product along a second centerline traversing said first centerline with said first and second transports defining a corner;a first cutter disposed at said corner and extending at least partially into said first and second transports for cutting said wrapping from said wrapped product along first and second side faces of said wrapped product; anda second cutter mounted to said second transport on an opposing side from said first cutter and extending at least partially into said second transport for cutting said wrapping from said wrapped product along a third side face of said wrapped product.

2. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 1 wherein said first side face is flanked by said second and third side faces of said wrapped product and a fourth side face of said wrapped product is orientated opposite said first side face.

3. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 3 wherein said first cutter is constructed and arranged to cut said wrapping along said first side face when said wrapped product is moved along said first transport.

4. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 3 wherein said first cutter is constructed and arranged to cut said wrapping along said second side face and said second cutter is constructed and arranged to cut said wrapping along said third side face when said wrapped product is moved along said second transport.

5. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 1 further comprising a third cutter located adjacent to and outward from said first cutter with respect to said second centerline and in parallel with said first cutter along said first centerline.

6. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 5 further comprising: a fourth cutter located adjacent to and radially outward from said first cutter with respect to said first centerline and in parallel with said first cutter along said second centerline; anda fifth cutter located adjacent to and outward from said second cutter with respect to said first centerline and in parallel with said second cutter along said second centerline.

7. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 6 wherein said first, second, third, fourth and fifth cutters are heated and said wrapping is heat sensitive.

8. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second cutters are heated and said wrapping is heat sensitive.

9. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second cutters each have a rotational axis and a cutting disc rotatable about said rotational axis.

10. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 2 wherein said cutters do not engage said wrapping at said fourth side face such that said wrapping at said fourth side face is not cut.

11. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least one vacuum aperture in said second transport for engaging said wrapping at a bottom of said wrapped product.

12. The package wrapping removal system set forth in claim 11 further comprising a vacuum collector located above said second transport for collecting said wrapping after said wrapping is cut along said first, second, and third side faces.

13. A package wrapping removal system for removing wrapping from a wrapped product comprising: at least one transport for moving said wrapped product;a plurality of cutters located along said at least one transport for cutting said wrapping only along three of four side faces of said wrapped product;at least one vacuum aperture in said at least one transport for engaging said wrapping at a bottom of said wrapped product; anda vacuum collector spaced above said at least one vacuum aperture for collecting said cut wrapping as one piece as said wrapped product moves along said at least one transport.

14. A method of removing wrapping from a wrapped product with the wrapped product having a first side face and opposing second and third side faces flanking the first side face utilizing first and second cutters, the method comprising the steps of: moving said wrapped product along a first direction and against said first cutter for cutting said wrapping along said first side face of said wrapped product;positioning said wrapped product between said first cutter and said second cutter;moving said wrapped product along a second direction and between said first and second cutters for cutting said wrapping along said opposite second and third side faces of said wrapped product.

15. The method set forth in claim 14 further comprising the steps of: positioning said wrapping located at a bottom of said wrapped product directly over at least one vacuum aperture; andpushing said wrapped product away from said at least one vacuum aperture as said wrapping remains with said at least one vacuum aperture.

16. The method set forth in claim 15 further comprising the step of vacuuming said wrapping as one piece into a vacuum collector.

17. The method set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of heating said first and second cutters prior to cutting.

18. The method set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of rotating a cutting disc of said respective cutters directly against said wrapping as said wrapping is cut.

19. The method set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of compressing a spring of said respective cutters against said wrapped product and during cutting.