Wrapping machine

US 6,499,276 B2
Wrapping machine
Liam J. Lacey, Dublin (Ireland)
Assigned to Comtor Limited, Dublin (Ireland)
Filed on 28-Nov-2001, as Appl. No. Comtor Limited, Dublin (Ireland)
Int. Cl.7B65B 1/24

US 6,499,276 B2 Wrapping machine Liam J. Lacey, Dublin (Ireland) Assigned to Comtor Limited, Dublin (Ireland) Filed on Nov. 28, 2001, as Appl. No. 9/994,854. Application 09/994854 is a division of application No. 09/463361, granted, now 6341470, previously published as PCT/IE98/00066, filed on Jul. 24, 1998. Claims priority of application No. S970545 (IE), filed on Jul. 25, 1997; and application No. S980029 (IE), filed on Jan. 16, 1998. Prior Publication US 2002/0035816 A1, Mar. 28, 2002 Int. Cl.7B65B 1/24 U.S. Cl. 538212;438 25 Claims 19. A combined compacting and wrapping machine for wrapping compacted bales of material with a strip of wrapping material comprising a first wrapping station having wrapping means for applying a strip of wrapping around the bale to partially wrap the bale in wrapping material, a second wrapping station having wrapping means for applying a strip of wrapping material around the bale to completely wrap the bale in wrapping material, and transfer means for transferring the partially wrapped bale from the first wrapping station to the second wrapping station wherein the apparatus includes a compaction station having a compactor for compacting loose material into a bale, the compactor comprising a compaction chamber, means for directing loose material into the chamber, a rotating compaction head including at least one roller rotatable over the loose material within the compaction chamber, and capable of moving within the compaction chamber as loose material accumulates within the chamber to compact the material in the chamber and wherein the compaction chamber is vertically oriented, and the rotating compaction head extends into the top of the compaction chamber, and the compaction chamber is open at the top and bottom, and means for moving the compaction chamber upwardly in a vertical direction as a bale of material is being formed to expose a part of the partially-formed bale, and wrapping means are included to wrap an exposed part of the bale with wrapping material as the compaction chamber is raised.