SEMIAUTOMATIC LUGGAGE WRAPPER AND SAFE PROCESS OF WRAPPING OF THIS LATTER

A luggage (100) wrapper (1) comprising a frame (2), a reel (3) of plastic material film, a support device (4) carrying the reel (3), and configured for releasing the plastic film by unwinding the reel (3), a platform (5) rotatingly movable around an axis (Y) with respect to the frame, configured for abuttingly receiving an article of luggage (100) and rotating it around axis (Y): platform (5) rotation with plastic film release enables to cover the luggage (100) by the plastic film. The wrapper comprises an actuator (6) configured for enabling the rotation of platform (5), and a control unit (7) configured for commanding the actuator (6) to manage platform (5) rotation; control unit (7) is configured for sending a command signal to the actuator (6) and arranging this latter in an operative condition wherein it rotates platform (5), sending a blocking signal (6) for arranging this latter in a stop condition wherein it prevents the platform (5) from rotating, the wrapper (1) comprises a sensor (8) configured for monitoring a predetermined area at platform (5) and generating a safety signal indicating the presence or not of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area; the control unit (7) is configured for processing the signal and establishing the presence of a risk condition and being further configured for modifying the operative condition of the wrapper (1) as a function of the received safety signal.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a luggage wrapper and to a process of wrapping luggage. The wrapper and associated process find their main, but not exclusive, application in the field of airport services for protectively wrapping any type of luggage.

PRIOR ART

As it is known in the airport field, bags and luggage are taken aboard an aircraft after being handed in the check-in step. Further, at the landing destination, the luggage are unloaded by airport personnel and are returned to the passengers. The luggage owner cannot directly control his/her own luggage from when the luggage are handed when boarding to their collection at the destination. Unfortunately, despite the safety measures implemented by the authorities managing the airports, there were and there are thefts or tampering of the luggage, which sometimes are opened by unauthorized personnel. Therefore, it is very difficult to verify an effective theft/tampering because generally the article of luggage does not clearly show any tampering when is picked up. Further, there is the problem of protecting the luggage from humidity, not just from the rain, during the manual loading/unloading steps of the same from an aircraft in the presence of bad weather conditions. Moreover, the sanitary condition of an article of luggage, contacting a plurality of further articles of luggage and airport conveying apparatuses, is subjected to a clear detriment.

As it is known in the airport field, services, called safety services, are provided, for conveying luggage; such services comprise also the provision of wrappers configured for covering the luggage with a plastic film adapted to completely wrap the luggage. De facto, the film defines around the luggage a kind of envelope, which must be removed for opening the luggage; the plastic envelope tampering obviously provides the owner an immediate perception that the luggage itself was opened without authorization. From a structural point of view, the nowadays known wrappers provide a support frame substantially subdivided into an aft portion adapted to house a wrapper command unit and plastic film, and a fore portion defined by a rotating platform adapted to receive the luggage. More particularly, the luggage is positioned on the platform; the plastic film is initially guided by an operator on the luggage and then the wrapper is operated. The start provides to rotate the platform in order to arrange the film all around the article of luggage. The film is flexible and adapts to the article shape for adequately covering and protecting it. Only after having correctly wrapped the luggage and completed the cycle, the platform rotation is stopped, possibly the luggage itself is rotated of 90° or 180° and the operations of wrapping the other sides are completed; then, the machine is automatically stopped (or an operator stops it), the plastic film is cut, possible adhesive labels are placed and the luggage is removed from the platform.

Even though the nowadays know wrappers enable to protect the luggage, however the Applicant has found that such machines are not devoid of some disadvantages and they can be improved under different aspects.

An encountered problem is represented by the fact that, to date, no one of the known wrapping machines is capable of operating by completely complying to safety requirements: the encountered problem is due to the fact that, to date, does not exist any specific regulation about wrapping machines operating in a public environment. Such machines operate in unprotected environments and have elements operating at high rotation velocities: the essential element of a wrapper for obtaining the objects of service cost-effectiveness and customer satisfaction consists of ensuring short wrapping times. For this reason, the nowadays known wrappers operated in an environment easily accessible from the people, are not very safe; it is noted that wrappers are stopped by the operators whose task consists of monitoring the environment adjacent the machine and possibly stopping the process if people come near or in contact with the rotating platform. To date, the responsibility in terms of people safety exclusively depends on the operator, and therefore completely depends upon the presence, will and attention of this latter.

The problem regarding the safety does not only regard the people but also the operator in charge of the machine operation. De facto, the operator is required to act in the initial step of wrapping an article of luggage for guiding the film, at least for the first round, around the article. Further, the operator intervention is required in the final steps of closing the envelope around the article; therefore there are different conditions under which the operator intervention is required when the machine is operating (rotating platform) and when the operator approaches the wrapper when the same is operating in a regime condition (high velocity). Such conditions determine a high risk for the operator, which is the only one in charge of stopping the wrapper.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to substantially solve at least one of the disadvantages and/or limitations of the preceding solutions.

A first object of the invention consists of providing a wrapper configured for operating under a total safe condition for the airport users and operators responsible for the operation of the same. A further main object of the invention consists of providing a wrapping machine enabling to wrap an article of luggage by minimizing the manual intervention of an operator; particularly, the operator will act in an initial, central and final wrapping steps for loading the article, starting wrapping (initial step), rotating the article after a first cycle (central step) and completing the wrapping (final step, for example picking up the article). It is a further object of the invention to provide a wrapper having short processing times (at least proportional to the actual ones), for completely wrapping an article of luggage. Then, it is an object of the invention to provide a wrapper capable of ensuring a correct operation independently from the type and size of the article of luggage; particularly also capable of effectively wrapping the article for protecting it from shocks, rubbing, weather, dust, and of ensuring the article closure along the path to a destination. Therefore, a general object of the present invention consists of providing a luggage wrapping process, which is fast and safe also in a public environment and which requires a minimum intervention by an operator.

One or more of the above described objects, which will better appear in the following description, are substantially met by a luggage wrapper and a wrapping process according to one or more of the attached claims.

SUMMARY

In the following aspects of the invention will be described.

In a 1st aspect it is provided a luggage (100) wrapper (1) comprising:

    • a frame (2),
    • at least one reel (3) of plastic material film engaged with the frame (2),
    • at least one support device (4) engaged with the frame (2) and carrying said reel (3), the support device (4) being configured for enabling to release the plastic film by unwinding the reel (3),
    • at least one platform (5) associated to the frame (2) and rotatingly movable around an axis (Y), said platform (5) being configured for abuttingly receiving a luggage (100) and rotating it around the axis (Y), the platform (5) rotation together with the plastic film unwinding being adapted to cover the luggage (100) with said plastic film,
    • at least one actuator (6) configured to set the platform (5) in rotation,
    • a control unit (7) configured for commanding the actuator (6) to manage the rotation of the platform (5), said control unit (7) being further configured for:
    • sending a command signal to the actuator (6) for arranging this latter in a working condition in which the actuator (6) rotates the platform (5) at an angular wrapping velocity (Va),
    • sending a blocking signal to the actuator (6) for arranging this latter in a stop condition in which said actuator (6) prevents the rotation of the platform (5); the wrapper (1) comprising at least one sensor (8) configured for monitoring a predetermined area at the platform (5) and generating at least one safety signal indicative of the presence or absence of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area, the sensor (8) being configured for sending to control unit (7) said safety signal, the control unit (7) being configured, following the reception of safety signal, for processing said safety signal and establishing the existence of a risk condition and being further configured for modifying an operative condition of the wrapper (1) as a function of the received safety signal and/or risk condition.

In a 2nd aspect according to aspect 1st, the operative condition of the wrapper (1) comprises at least one of the following conditions:

    • a working condition in which platform (5) rotates at the wrapping velocity (Va) for covering the luggage (100) with the plastic film,
    • an alarm condition in which wrapper (1) signals, by visual and/or acoustic signals, a situation of attention,
    • a slow-down condition in which the angular velocity of platform (5) is reduced to a safety velocity (Vs) with respect to the wrapping velocity (Va) of the working condition,
    • a stop condition in which the rotation of platform (5) is prevented.

In a 3rd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the risk condition, established by control unit (7), comprises at least one from among the following conditions:

    • an intervening condition determined by detecting, via the sensor (8), one or more persons and/or objects internally the predetermined area at the platform (5),
    • a monitoring condition determined by an absence of detection, via the sensor (8), of one or more persons and/or objects internally the predetermined area at the platform (5).

In a 4th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the intervening condition comprises one or more of the following conditions:

    • an attention condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an external area (E),
    • an alert condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an intermediate area (I),
    • a danger condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an internal area (A),
    • a malfunctioning condition in which the control unit (7) does not receive the safety signal from sensor (8).

In a 5th aspect according to the preceding aspect, control unit (7), following the determination of the attention condition, is configured for modifying or maintaining the operative condition of the wrapper in at least one of the following operative conditions: a working condition, an alarm condition.

In a 6th aspect according to aspect 4th or 5th, control unit (7), following the determination of the alert condition, is configured for modifying or maintaining the operative condition of the wrapper in at least one of the following operative conditions: an alarm condition, a slow-down condition.

In a 7th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 6th, control unit (7), following the determination of the danger condition, is configured for modifying or maintaining the operative condition of the wrapper in at least one of the following operative conditions: an alarm condition, a stop condition.

In an 8th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 7th, the sensor (8) is configured for continuously sending the safety signal to the control unit (7), the control unit (7), following the determination of the malfunctioning condition, being configured for modifying or maintaining the operative condition of the wrapper in at least one of the following operative conditions: an alarm condition, a stop condition.

In a 9th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the sensor (8) comprises at least one optical-type presence detector.

In a 10th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the sensor (8) comprises at least one laser scanner, particularly at least one 2D laser scanner.

In an 11th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the predetermined area at the platform (5) comprises an external area (E), an intermediate area (I) and an internal area (A).

In a 12th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 11th, the external area (E) has a size greater than the size of the intermediate area (I).

In a 13th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 12th, intermediate area (I) is completely contained in external area (E).

In a 14th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 13th, the intermediate area (I) has a size greater than the size of the internal area (A).

In a 15th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 14th, internal area (A) is completely contained in intermediate area (I).

In a 16th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 15th, the platform (5) is arranged internally of the internal area (A).

In a 17th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 16th, the internal area (A) is delimited by an outer perimeter, the minimum distance, measured according to a top view normal to the area itself, between the outer perimeter of the internal area (A) and an outer perimeter of platform (5) is comprised between 0 and 1200 mm, particularly between 0 and 1000 mm.

In an 18th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 17th, the intermediate area (I) is delimited by an outer perimeter, the minimum distance, measured according to a top view normal to the area itself, between outer perimeter of the intermediate area (I) and platform (5) is comprised between 0 and 1300 mm, particularly between 0 and 800 mm.

In a 19th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 18th, the external area (E) is delimited by an outer perimeter, the minimum distance, measured according to a top view normal to the area itself, between outer perimeter of external area (E) itself and platform (5) is comprised between 1,000 and 2,000 mm, particularly between 1,200 and 1,900 mm.

In a 20th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 19th, the external area (E) has an extension comprised between 4 and 13 m2, particularly between 5.2 and 12 m2.

In a 21st aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 20th, the intermediate area (I) has an extension comprised between 1.5 and 8 m2, particularly between 2 and 5.5 m2.

In a 22nd aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 21st, the internal area (A) has an extension comprised between 0.1 and 2 m2, particularly between 0.15 and 0.5 m2.

In a 23rd aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 22nd, the intermediate area (I) comprises an operator zone (O) arranged at least for a section thereof at the platform (5).

In a 24th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the operator zone (O) is configured for enabling an operator (P) to intervene on the luggage (100) and/or on the plastic film at the luggage (100), the control unit (7), following the detection of a person (P) in operator zone (O), commanding the slow-down condition of wrapper (1).

In a 25th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the frame (2) comprises at least a portion of housing (2a) and at least one operative portion (2b) carrying the platform (5).

In a 26th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the housing portion (2a) and operative portion (2b) are spaced and preferably connected by an intermediate portion (2c).

In a 27th aspect according to aspect 25th or 26th, the frame (2) is configured for enabling, under a condition of use of wrapper (1), to place the wrapper (1) on a ground surface, at least said operative portion (2b) being configured for having a minimum distance (D1) from the ground.

In a 28th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the operative portion comprises feet (13) and/or wheels (11) configured for spacing the operative portion (2b) from the ground.

In a 29th aspect according to aspect 27th or 28th, the minimum distance (D1) between operative portion (2b) and the ground is greater than 30 mm, particularly is comprised between 60 and 120 mm.

In a 30th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 25th to 29th, the operative portion (2b) and intermediate portion (2c) are configured for having a minimum distance (D1) from the ground greater than 30 mm, particularly comprised between 60 and 120 mm.

In a 31st aspect according to anyone of aspects from 26th to 30th, the sensor (8) is engaged with operative portion (2b) or intermediate portion (2c) of frame (2), the predetermined area monitored by sensor (8) extends along a plane comprised between the ground and said operative and intermediate portions (2b, 2c).

In a 32nd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the wrapper comprises only one sensor (8).

In a 33rd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects the support device (4) carrying reel (3), is moveable along a prevalent development direction (T) substantially parallel to rotation axis (Y) of platform (5).

In a 34th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the wrapper comprises at least one detector (9) configured for monitoring a size of the luggage (100) placed on platform (5) and generating at least one control signal indicating a maximum height (M), measured along the rotation axis (Y) of platform, of the luggage (100).

In a 35th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the control unit (7) is connected to the support device (4) and detector (9), the control unit (7) being configured for receiving and processing the control signal from detector (9) for determining the maximum height (M) of the luggage (100), control unit (7), following the determination of the maximum height (M), being configured for comparing such height with a reference height and executing at least one of the following operations:

    • if the maximum height (M) is less than or equal to the reference height, commanding the support device (4) to remain at a minimum height position, in which plastic film is placed at the platform (5),
    • if the maximum height (M) is greater than the reference height, commanding support device (4) to alternatively move along the prevalent development direction (T) so that the plastic film can reach the maximum height (M) and covering the whole article of luggage (100).

In a 36th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 35th, the wrapping velocity (Va) is comprised between 0.3 and 1.5 round/sec, particularly is comprised between 0.4 and 1.1 round/sec.

In a 37th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 4th to 36th, a safety velocity (Vs) is comprised between 0.05 and 0.8 round/sec, particularly comprised between 0.2 and 0.4 round/sec.

In a 38th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 25th to 37th, support device (4) and reel (3) are engaged with the housing portion (2a) of frame (2).

In a 39th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 25th to 38th, the actuator (6) is directly engaged with the operative portion (2b), particularly, under a condition of use of wrapper (1), below platform (5).

In a 40th aspect, it is provided a process of wrapping luggage (100), comprising the following steps:

    • predisposing a frame (2);
    • predisposing a reel (3) of a plastic material film, engaged with the frame (2),
    • predisposing at least one support device (4) engaged with frame (2) and carrying said reel (3), the support device (4) being configured for releasing the plastic film by unwinding the reel (3),
    • predisposing at least one platform (5) engaged with frame (2) and rotatingly moveable with respect to this latter around an axis (Y), the platform (5) being configured for abuttingly receiving a luggage (100) and rotating it around axis (Y),
    • predisposing at least one actuator (6) configured for setting into rotation the platform (5),
      and wherein the process provides at least the following steps:
    • commanding a stop condition (6) of actuator, in which this latter prevents the platform (5) from rotating,
    • placing a luggage (100) on platform (5),
    • inviting at least one portion of plastic film around the luggage (100),
    • placing the actuator (6) in an operative condition in which this latter rotates the platform (5) at a wrapping velocity (Va),
    • the process further provides the following steps:
    • monitoring, by at least one sensor (8), a predetermined area at the platform (5), particularly said predetermined area comprising an external area (E), an intermediate area (I) and an internal area (A);
    • sending to a control unit (7), via said sensor (8), at least one safety signal indicating the presence or absence of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area,
    • processing, by control unit (7), said signal for determining the existence of a risk condition,
    • modifying the wrapper (1) operative condition as a function of the received safety signal.

In a 41st aspect according to the preceding aspect, the wrapper (1) operative condition comprises at least one of the following conditions:

    • a working condition in which platform (5) rotates at a wrapping velocity (Va) for covering the luggage (100) with the plastic film,
    • an alarm condition in which wrapper (1) signals, by visual and/or acoustic signals, a situation of attention,
    • a slow-down condition in which the angular velocity of platform (5) is reduced to a safety velocity (Vs) with respect to the wrapping angular velocity (Va) of the working condition,
    • a stop condition in which the platform (5) is prevented from rotating.

In a 42nd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects of process, the risk condition, established by control unit (7), comprises at least one among the following conditions:

    • an intervening condition determined by detecting, via the sensor (8), one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area at the platform (5),
    • a monitoring condition determined by the absence of detection, via the sensor (8), of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area at the platform (5).

In a 43rd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the intervening condition comprises at least one of the following conditions:

    • an attention condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an external area (E),
    • an alert condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an intermediate area (I),
    • a danger condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an internal area (A),
    • a malfunctioning condition in which the control unit (7) does not receive the safety signal from sensor (8).

In a 44th aspect according to the preceding aspect wherein, following the determination of the attention condition, the control unit sets the wrapper into at least one of the following operative conditions:

    • a working condition,
    • an alarm condition.

In a 45th aspect according to aspect 43rd or 44th, wherein, following the determination of the alert condition, the control unit sets the wrapper into at least one of the following conditions:

    • an alarm condition,
    • a slow-down condition.

In a 46th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 43rd to 45th, wherein, following the determination of a danger condition, control unit sets the wrapper into at least one of the following conditions:

    • an alarm condition,
    • a stop condition.

In a 47th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 43rd to 46th, wherein the sensor (8) is configured for continuously sending the safety signal to the control unit (7), the control unit (7), in the absence of the reception of the safety signal, being configured for setting the wrapper into at least one of the following conditions:

    • an alarm condition,
    • a stop condition.

In a 48th aspect according to the preceding aspects of process, the sensor (8) comprises at least one optical-type presence detector.

In a 49th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspect of process, the sensor (8) being a laser scanner, for example a 2D laser scanner.

In a 50th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 43rd to 49th, the external area (E) is greater than the intermediate area (I), particularly the intermediate area (I) being entirely contained in the external area (E).

In a 51st aspect according to anyone of aspects from 43rd to 60th, the intermediate area (I) is greater than the internal area (A), particularly the internal area (A) being entirely contained in the intermediate area (I).

In a 52nd aspect according to anyone of aspects from 43rd to 51st, the platform (5) is placed inside internal area (A).

In a 53rd aspect according to anyone of aspects from 43rd to 52nd, comprising at least one step of predisposing the plastic film, which has at least the following sub-steps:

    • following the positioning of the luggage (100) on platform (5), at least one operator present inside the intermediate area (I), guides the plastic film around the luggage (100),
    • during the step of guiding the film by the operator, platform (5) rotates at a safety angular velocity (Vs) lower than the wrapping velocity (Va).

In a 54th aspect according to the preceding aspect, wherein, following the step of predisposing the plastic film, the process starts the working condition of wrapper (1) only after the exit of the operator outside the intermediate area (I).

In a 55th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 43rd to 54th, comprising at least one step of rotating the luggage (100) which comprises at least the following sub-steps:

    • stopping the platform (5) following a predetermined number of plastic film wrappings around the luggage (100),
    • rotating the luggage (100) on the platform (5),
    • starting again the rotation of platform (5) which rotates at the safety velocity (Va), the operator being able to stay inside the intermediate area (I),
    • guiding the plastic film around the overturned article of luggage (100),
    • taking the platform (5) to the wrapping angular velocity (Va) only after it has been verified that the operator has left the intermediate area (I).

In a 56th aspect according to the preceding aspect, comprising, after a rotation step of the luggage (100), the step of finishing the work on this latter, said step comprising at least the following sub-steps:

    • stopping the platform following a predetermined number of plastic film wrappings around the luggage (100),
    • cutting the plastic film unwound from reel (3) and unbinding the luggage (100),
    • removing the luggage (100) from platform (5).

In a 57th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects of process, comprising at least one step of adapting the plastic film to the luggage (100), said adapting step comprising at least the following sub-steps:

    • verifying, via a detector (9), the size of the luggage (100) placed on the platform (5) for measuring a maximum height (M), measured along a platform (5) rotation axis (Y),
    • comparing the maximum height (M) with a reference height,
    • if the maximum height (M) is smaller than or equal to the reference height, commanding the support device (4) to remain at a minimum height position in which the plastic film is placed at the platform (5),
    • if the maximum height (M) is greater than the reference height, commanding the support device (4) to alternatively move along the prevalent development direction (T) so that plastic film could reach the maximum height (M) and cover the whole article of luggage (100).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments and some aspects of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the attached drawings, given only in an indicative and therefore non limiting way, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wrapper according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial bottom perspective view of a wrapper according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a view of a detail of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a wrapper according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded view of a platform, a portion of the wrapper object of the present invention;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are respectively a rear, lateral and front views of a wrapper according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a scheme according to a top view of a wrapper according to the present invention and of areas surrounding it;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are further schemes of a wrapper according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a lateral view of a wrapper according to the present invention;

FIGS. 12-14 are flowcharts according to the present invention regarding a luggage wrapping process according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart regarding a control step according to a luggage wrapping process according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a further flowchart of a detail regarding the control step outlined in FIG. 15.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Luggage Wrapper

With 1 is generally indicates a luggage wrapper 100. The wrapper 1, object of the present invention, is used, in a non-limiting way, in the airport field, particularly in the airport services field for wrapping luggage or cases 100.

In the airport field, bags and luggage are taken substantially automatically aboard the aircrafts by conveyor belts. The path type and mode by which the luggage are handled can entail, as said, an unauthorized opening of the same; further, due to the enormous quantity of articles of articles of luggage to be handled, sometimes some of them can be lost and their recovery can be difficult. The wrapper 1, object of the present invention, enables to be promptly aware that an article of luggage has been opened upon its recovery and/or make easier to recognize the article of luggage itself.

The wrapper is configured for substantially covering any kind of article of luggage 100 by a plastic film adapted to provide an auxiliary protection to the luggage. De facto, the film defines, around the article of luggage 100, a kind of envelope configured for preventing a luggage opening from being missed and also for avoiding/reducing a damage to an article of luggage itself. The film used by the wrapper 1, is a resistant film capable of protecting the luggage from the weather, from possible damages (scratches or cuts) and preventing its opening. Further, the plastic film protects the luggage from humidity/rain and is an effective barrier capable of preserving the sanitary condition of the same.

As it is visible in the attached figures, the wrapper 1 comprises a frame 2 configured for containing, supporting and enabling to place on the ground at least some of the different components of the wrapper 1, which will be better described in the following. Attached figures illustrate a preferred non-limiting configuration of the invention, which comprises a frame formed by a single structure to which wrapper 1 components are associated. In such a preferred configuration, the frame 2 comprises at least one housing portion 2a, an operative portion 2b and a connection portion 2c adapted to connect portions 2a and 2b. By observing for example FIGS. 1 and 2, it is possible to note that housing portion 2a and operative portion are spaced and connected to each other by connection portion 2c. As it will be better described in the following, such configuration of frame 2 enables to structurally separate the working area—defined for example by the operative portion 2b—at which the article of luggage 100 will be processed, from containment area—defined for example by housing portion 2a—at which the instruments for controlling the wrapper 1 are for example engaged.

As described above, such configuration represents a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention; for example, an alternative structure of frame 2, not illustrated in the attached figures, could for example provide at least one operative portion 2b distinct and separated from a housing portion 2a.

More particularly, the housing portion 2a comprises a protection case defining a housing compartment 10 configured for containing and protecting the wrapper 1 components which will be better described in the following. Advantageously, the housing portion 2a is provided with wheels 11 configured for enabling to place the wrapper 1 on the ground and simultaneously making easier its movement. The wheels 11 are further configured for spacing wrapper 1 from the ground; the minimum distance between the ground and housing portion 2a of wrapper 1, measured normal to the ground, is greater than 30 mm, particularly is comprised between 60 and 120 mm. Obviously, these measures are given in an exemplifying and non-limiting way.

Instead, with reference to operative portion 2b, it substantially comprises a base 12 configured for supporting at least one article of luggage 100. The base is configured for enabling to correctly and stably position the article of luggage 100 on the operative portion 2b; for such reason, the base 12 substantially develops along a prevalent development plane and has a small height. The operative portion 2b is also advantageously provided with wheels 11 configured for placing the wrapper 1 on the ground and facilitating its movement. As for the housing portion, the wheels 11 are further configured for spacing the operative portion from the ground. The operative portion 2b wheels are removable or are replaced by a suitable movement device. In a preferred configuration of the invention illustrated in the attached figures, the operative portion is further provided with a plurality of feet 13 configured for making stable the wrapper 1 in the working area. The feet 13 and wheels 11 define the minimum distance D1 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) of the operative portion from the ground which is greater than 30 mm, particularly is comprised between 60 and 120 mm. Advantageously, the housing portion 2a and operative portion 2b are spaced from the ground by the same distance.

The connection portion 2c substantially defines an extension of base 12 of operative portion 2b, which enables to connect this latter at a lower portion of the housing portion 2a. De facto, connection portion 2c is configured for firmly connecting the operative portion 2b and housing portion in order to improve the stability of the entire wrapper 1. As for the housing portion and operative portion, also the connection portion 2c is advantageously, but not in a limiting way, spaced from the ground by the same distance of the operative portion or housing portion; for example such distance is greater than 30 mm, particularly is comprised between 60 and 120 mm.

As it is visible for example from FIGS. 3 and 9, the wrapper 1 further comprises at least one reel 3 of a plastic material film, engaged with the frame 2. The reel 3 is associated to housing portion 2a, particularly is engaged inside the housing compartment 10 of portion 2a. The plastic film is configured for wrapping the article of luggage 100 for protecting it and ensuring its integrity when it is returned. The used plastic film is substantially the same employed in the nowadays conventional wrapping machines. As it is visible for example in FIG. 9, the wrapper 1 can further (optionally) provide at least one spare reel 3a which is also received inside the housing compartment 10 of portion 2a. The spare reel 3a can be used for quickly substituting reel 3 in the case the plastic film should finish.

As it is visible for example in FIGS. 9 and 11, the wrapper 1 further comprises at least one support device engaged with frame 2 and carrying the reel 3: the support device 4 is configured for enabling to release the plastic film by unwinding the reel 3. More specifically and as it visible for example in FIG. 11, support device 4 comprises at least one pin 14 (FIG. 3) engaged inside a reel 3 seat: pin 14 is configured for supporting reel 3 and enabling it to rotate around an axis X. More particularly, the pin 14 is stably engaged inside reel 3 and is configured for rotating around axis X together with this latter: the reel 3 rotation enables to unwind it and progressively release the plastic film (to release a film band). Advantageously, support device 4 comprises at least one motor 15 engaged with pin 14 and configured for rotating this latter around axis X.

Referring again to FIG. 11, it is possible to note that support device 4 can be predisposed with a movement element 16 housed inside compartment 10. The movement element 16 comprises at least one guide 17 extending, under conditions of use of wrapper 1 itself, along a substantially vertical direction. The guide 17 carries at least one hooking element 18 slidingly movable along the guide 17 itself along a path T; the hooking element 18 is constrained to pin 14 carrying reel 3. As it is visible in FIG. 11, the reel 3 unwinding axis (axis X) and the guide 17 extension direction are substantially parallel. Moving the hooking element 18 along the guide 17 enables to move the reel 3 along the path T. Moving the reel 3 along the path T enables the film to completely wrap the article of luggage 100. Advantageously, the movement element 16 comprises an activation device 19, for example an electric motor, configured for moving the hooking element 18 along the guide 17 (consequently, it causes the movement of reel 3).

Referring again to the structure of support device 4, it is possible to note that this latter comprises a tensioning mechanism 20 (FIG. 3) substantially consisting of a series of rolls 21 configured for receiving the plastic film released by reel 3, and extending said film and possibly stretching it. Stretching the plastic film besides optimizing its use (less film wasted for wrapping the article of luggage 100) generally makes the film stronger: de facto, the stretching process enables to orient the plastic film molecules by making the film more tensile resistant. However, the plastic film stretch can be obtained in different ways. In a variant of the embodiment, it is possible to provide a braking action on rolls 21: the rolls resistance on the film passing between them stretch the film itself. A further variant of the embodiment can provide to move, particularly separate the rolls 21 from each other during the film passage (the rolls are spaced away from each other during the film passage). Otherwise, it is possible to directly brake the unwinding of reel 3 when the article of luggage 100 is wrapped with the film: in such condition, wrapping the article of luggage 100 will cause the film from reel 3 to stretch. As it is visible in the attached figures, the reel 3 and support device 4 are advantageously housed inside the portion 2a compartment 10.

As it is visible for example in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wrapper 1 further comprises a platform 5 associated to the frame 2 and rotatingly movable around an axis Y; the platform 5 is configured for abuttingly receiving an article of luggage 100 and rotating it around axis Y: the platform 5 rotation together with the plastic film unwinding are adapted to cover the article of luggage 100 with said plastic film. More particularly, the platform 5 comprises a rotating plate constrained to the operative portion 2b of the frame 2; de facto, the plate is hinged to the base 12 which provides the structural support to platform 5.

The wrapper 1 comprises an actuator 6, for example an electric motor, configured for rotating the platform 5 around axis Y. In the arrangements shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the actuator 6 is constrained, particularly fixed, on a side to the operative portion 2b of frame 2, and on the other side, is engaged with platform 5; the arrangement shown in the attached figures illustrates a substantially direct connection between the actuator 6 and platform 5. However, it is no excluded the possibility of associating the actuator 6 to the intermediate portion 2c or even to the housing portion 2a; under such conditions, it will be advantageous to provide transmission mechanisms adapted to connect the actuator 6 to the platform 5. De facto, the actuator 6 implements the mechanic device rotating the platform 5. The wrapper 1 further comprises a control unit 7 configured for commanding and controlling the actuator 6, and consequently the platform 5 rotation. Specifically, the control unit 7 is configured for sending a command signal to the actuator 6 for setting this latter in a working condition, in which said actuator 6 rotates the platform 5 at the wrapping angular velocity Va. The wrapping velocity is substantially comprised between 0.3 and 1.5 round/sec, particularly is comprised between 0.4 and 1.1 round/sec. Further, the control unit 7 is configured for sending a blocking signal to actuator 6 for setting this latter in a stop condition in which said actuator 6 prevents the platform 5 from rotating. Also in this case, the wrapping velocities are given in an exemplifying and non-limiting way for providing only a fair indication of typical operative velocities.

More particularly, the wrapper 1, object of the present invention, can be configured by the control unit (according to logics described in the following) in anyone of the following operative conditions:

    • a working condition in which the platform 5 rotates at a wrapping velocity Va for covering the article of luggage 100 with the plastic film,
    • an alarm condition in which the wrapper 1 signals, by visual and/or acoustic signals, a situation of attention,
    • a slow-down condition in which the angular velocity of platform 5 is reduced to a safety velocity Vs lower than the wrapping angular velocity Va under the working condition,
    • a stop condition in which it is prevented the platform 5 from rotating.

The control unit 7 is configured for commanding the actuator 6 to set at least the above described wrapper 1 conditions. FIG. 3 schematically shows a control unit substantially separated from the frame 2; in an arrangement of the invention, the control unit 7 can be associated to the frame 2 and particularly is placed inside the housing compartment 10 of portion 2a. In an alternative arrangement, the control unit 7 can be an unit distinct from the wrapper connected to the actuator and to further components of the wrapper by Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth networks.

The wrapper 1 further comprises at least one sensor 8 configured for monitoring a predetermined area at the platform 5 and generating at least one safety signal indicative of the presence or absence of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area; the sensor 8 is configured for sending to the control unit 7 said safety signal: the control unit 7 is configured for processing the safety signal for determining the existence of a risk condition and is further configured for modifying the wrapper 1 operative condition as a function of the received safety signal.

The risk condition, determined by the control unit 7, comprises at least one intervening condition determined by the detection, via the sensor 8, of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area at the platform 5, a monitoring condition determined by the absence of a detection, via the sensor 8, of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area at the platform 5. More specifically, based on the safety signal of sensor, the control unit 7 is configured for holding and/or changing the wrapper 1 operative condition, particularly by controlling the actuator 6.

The sensor 8 is engaged with the frame, particularly at the intermediate portion 2c or operative portion 2b. In a preferred but non-limiting arrangement of the invention, the sensor 8 is engaged with the intermediate portion 2c. Advantageously, the sensor 8 is engaged at a lower portion of intermediate portion 2c so that sensor is at least partially placed in the area comprised between the ground and operative portion 2b. De facto, the predetermined monitored area of sensor 8 extends along a prevalent development plane, under the conditions of use of wrapper itself, substantially horizontally: the sensor 8 monitoring plane is interposed between the ground and operative portion 2b.

De facto, the monitoring plane is particularly defined by the ground surface.

Under the point of view of the components, the sensor 8 can advantageously comprise at least one of the following instruments: a 2D laser scanner, an optical sensor (for example a video camera), an ultrasonic sensor. The attached figures only show a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, in which the sensor comprises a 2D laser scanner placed below the intermediate portion 2c. The predetermined monitorable area of sensor 8 substantially defines a perimetral edge closed around the platform 5; the outer shape defined by the area perimetral edge is, in a non-limiting way, circular. However, it is not excluded the possibility that the sensor 8 could define an area having any shape, for example rectangular or elliptical. The sensor 8 is configured for defining different zones of the predetermined area; particularly, sensor 8 is configured for detecting at least three areas: an external area E, an intermediate area I and an internal area A. The outline of such areas (E, I, A) is illustrated in FIG. 8; the external area E, representing the perimetral area, having the greatest extension which defines the contour of the predetermined area. The intermediate area I is completely contained inside the external area E and is greater than internal area A. The intermediate area I is substantially interposed between the external area E and internal area A. As it is visible, the internal area A is completely contained inside the intermediate area I (consequently completely contained inside the external area E) and represents the area inside which the platform 5 is housed.

All the areas (E, I, A) illustrated in the attached figures have, in a non-limiting way, a circular shape; particularly the internal area A is adapted to define a circle, while the intermediate area I and external area E define substantially annuli outside the internal area A. In a preferred, but non limiting arrangement of the invention, the sensor 8 is adapted to define, for at least a portion of the intermediate area I, an operator zone O adjacent to platform 5: the operator zone O represents a portion of the intermediate area I placed, at least for a length, at the platform 5. As it is visible for example in FIG. 8, the operator zone O is substantially defined as a portion of the intermediate area I entering the internal area A for reaching platform 5: in such arrangement, the operator zone defines a kind of “slice” positioned adjacent to platform 5. It is noted that in such condition, an operator could easily work on the platform 5 directly from the operator zone O of the intermediate area I.

As it will be more detailed, it is possible to quantitatively define the areas A, I, E of the predetermined area. The internal area A is delimited by an outer perimeter (FIG. 8); the minimum distance, measured according to a top view normal to the area itself, between the outer perimeter of internal area A and platform 5 is comprised between 0 and 1,200 mm, particularly between 0 and 1,000 mm. From the point of view of the surface extension, internal area A shows an extension comprised between 0.1 and 2 m2, particularly between 0.15 and 0.5 m2. The intermediate area I is also delimited by an outer perimeter (FIG. 8); the minimum distance, measured according to a top view normal to the area itself, between the outer perimeter of intermediate area I and platform 5 is comprised between 0 and 1,300 mm, particularly between 0 and 800 mm. From the point of view of the surface extension, the intermediate area I has an extension comprised between 1.5 and 8 m2, particularly between 2 and 5.5 m2. In the same way, the external area E is delimited by an outer perimeter; the minimum distance measured, according to a top view normal to the area itself, between the outer perimeter of external area E itself and platform 5, is comprised between 1,000 and 2,000 mm, particularly between 1,200 and 1,900 mm. From the point of view of the surface extension, the external area E has an extension comprised between 4 and 13 m2, particularly between 5.2 and 12 m2. Also in this case, the dimensions of the areas are given in an exemplifying non limiting way for providing only a reasonable indication of typical amounts.

Obviously, the same dimensions could be different as a function of requirements, for example as a function of specific safety requirements of a country (or airport) where the device will be installed. Further, the present description provides a specific external area E with a determined distance range from the platform. Indeed, the maximum distance of the area E from the platform could be infinite, in a sense that the internal A and intermediate areas I are the most important, and the maximum distance of external area E could be only limited by the maximum range of the sensor. However, we remember that the distance amounts, and also the areas and the shape of the same, are certainly modifiable according to the requirements.

As above discussed, the control unit 7 is configured for determining the permanence of a risk condition and possibly for modifying the operative condition of the wrapper 1, by the intervening condition (in case of the monitoring condition, the control unit 7 holds the operative condition of the wrapper 1, particularly holds the actuator 6 in the working condition in which this latter rotates the platform at velocity Va). More particularly, the intervening condition of control unit comprises one or more of the following conditions:

    • an attention condition in which control unit 7, via the sensor 8, detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an external area E,
    • an alert condition in which control unit 7, via the sensor 8, detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an intermediate area I,
    • a danger condition in which control unit 7, via the sensor 8, detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an internal area A,
    • a malfunctioning condition in which control unit 7 does not receive the safety signal from sensor 8.

Control unit 7, following the determination of the attention condition, is configured for commanding at least one of the following conditions: a working condition and alarm condition. As previously discussed in the working condition, the platform rotates at velocity Va for covering the article of luggage 100. In the alarm condition, the control unit 7 is adapted to signal to the operator, by visual or acoustic signals, a situation of attention. De facto, the wrapper 1 can comprise sirens and/or lights which are commanded by the control unit 7 for signaling, for example to an operator, that persons and/or objects are entering area E. It is observed that in the attention condition, the state of wrapper 1, particularly, of actuator 6 do not change: the wrapper 1 remains in the working condition independently from different visual and/or acoustic signals. In the preferred arrangement of the invention, the attention condition provides only the working condition (visual and/or acoustic means do not activate any kind of signals). Vice versa, the control unit 7, following the determination of the alert condition, is configured for commanding at least one of the following conditions: an alarm condition and slow-down condition. De facto, the alert condition provides to detect the access of persons and/or objects inside the intermediate area I. Under such condition, the wrapper 1 is adapted to emit signals hereinbefore discussed (visual and/or acoustic means) and/or starts slowing down platform 5: the platform 5 switches from the angular velocity Va to the lower angular (and safety) velocity Vs. In the preferred arrangement of the invention, the alarm condition provides only the slow-down condition of platform 5.

As hereinbefore discussed, the intermediate area I comprises an operator zone O at the platform: the operator zone O represents substantially the position of the operator assigned to the wrapper 1. In the operator zone O, the operator can intervene on the article of luggage 100 because operator zone O is adjacent platform 5. The luggage covering step requires at least the intervening initial step of an operator for starting wrapping the article of luggage; the operator zone O enables the operator to intervene on the article of luggage 100 while this latter rotates at a reduced velocity Vs (reduced velocity of platform 5). Quantitatively, the reduced angular velocity Vs is comprised between 0.05 and 0.08 round/sec, particularly between 0.2 and 0.4 round/sec (obviously, the rotation velocities could be different in the real operative scenario of the device, and also different from machine to machine as a function of the needs). Further, it is observed that the access of persons and/or objects into the intermediate area I is a potential risk for these latter; slowing down the platform 5 and/or signaling by visual and/or acoustic elements can avoid the risk of contacting the platform by these latter. Control unit 7, following the determination of a danger condition, is configured for commanding at least one of the following conditions: an alarm condition and a stop condition. The wrapper 1, in such condition, is adapted to emit signals, as hereinbefore discussed (visual and/or acoustic means) and/or to start stopping the platform 5: the platform 5 switches from angular velocity Va and/or Vs to the stop condition. In the preferred arrangement of the invention, the danger condition provides only the stop condition of platform 5. The internal area A represents the zone immediately adjacent platform 5: the access of persons and/or objects in the internal area represents a high risk of contacting the platform by these latter. For this reason, control unit 7 determines the visual and/or acoustic signals—or the complete stop of the platform 5.

As hereinbefore discussed, the control unit 7 is further configured for determining a malfunctioning condition in which the unit commands at least one of the following conditions: an alarm condition and a stop condition.

A danger situation can occur in case of fail of sensor 8; for such reason, the wrapper 1 causes the sensor 8 to continuously send the safety signal. In case of a malfunction of the sensor, this latter is not capable of communicating with control unit: in absence of a signal, the unit commands a visual and/or acoustic signal and/or commands the wrapper to stop. In a preferred but non-limiting arrangement of the invention, the wrapper 1, in case of malfunction of sensor 8, causes the platform to stop.

For a better monitoring of the area surrounding the platform 5, the wrapper 1 can further comprise at least one detector 9, comprising, for example, an optical sensor and/or an ultrasonic sensor, which can be used as an element assisting the sensor 8. Advantageously, the detector 9 can be associated to the frame 2, particularly it can be engaged with the housing portion 2a, facing the operative portion 2b.

As hereinbefore discussed, the wrapper 1 further comprises a support device 4 adapted to move the reel along the path T for enabling to correctly wrapping the article of luggage 100. Advantageously, the detector 9 is configured for monitoring the size of the article of luggage 100 placed on the platform 5 particularly with reference to the platform height measured along the rotation axis Y of the same. The detector 9 is further configured for generating at least one control signal indicating the maximum height M of the article of luggage 100. The detector 9 is advantageously connected to the control unit 7 which is configured for receiving and processing the control signal from detector 9 for determining the maximum height M of the article of luggage 100. The control unit 7 is further advantageously connected to the activation device 19 adapted to move the reel along the path T. Control unit 7, following the determination of the maximum height M, is configured for comparing such height with a reference height and executing at least one of the following operations. If the maximum height M is less than or equal to the reference height, the support device 4 is commanded to remain at a minimum height position in which the plastic film is placed at platform 5. On the contrary, if the maximum height M is greater than the reference height, control unit 7 commands to device 4, particularly device 19, an alternative movement along the prevalent development direction T so that the plastic film could reach the maximum height M and covering the whole article of luggage 100.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wrapper comprises a series of components, advantageously connected to control unit 7, for example payment means 22 (cash, POS system), printers 23 for possible receipts and labels to be applied on the article of luggage 100, emergency pushbuttons 24 for stopping the machine, safety systems 25 (biometrics, RFID, password readers) and possibly a command screen 26 (for example a LCD screen and/or a touch-screen) for displaying the machine status, and also for setting the machine and commanding the article of luggage 100 wrapping.

Process of Wrapping Luggage (100)

Further, it is an object of the present invention a process of wrapping luggage 100 by a wrapper 1 as hereinbefore described.

Initially, the machine is set in a stand-by state in which platform 5 is static (FIG. 12). In such condition, the operator P can load the article of luggage 100 on platform 5, particularly on base 12. The process can comprise a step of weighing the article of luggage 100 and a step of displaying, by means of the LCD screen 26, the machine status (wrapper stopped, weight of the article of luggage 100). The sensor 8 (detecting system) is active and detects the presence of operator P inside the intermediate area I (particularly inside the operator zone O) or inside the internal area A. The stand-by condition can be activated and deactivated by operator P by the control unit 7: in such a condition it is not possible to predispose the wrapper 1 in the working condition (the platform 5 is hold still as long as the operator starts it—FIG. 12).

Then, the operator P checks the stability of the article of luggage 100 on the plate or platform 5 and grips the leading end of the plastic film for starting the process. The operator starts the process (the stand-by mode is deactivated). Following the start, the operator is inside zone O and starts guiding the film during the film wrapping cycle. As long as the operator is inside zone O, the wrapper 1 remains in the alarm condition and platform rotates at velocity Vs (reduced velocity —FIG. 12).

Completed the first wrapping round, the operator exits the intermediate area I: the plate increases its velocity to Va (FIG. 13) and executes the first wrapping rounds without the intervention of the operator P. De facto, under such condition, the control unit 7 detects that nobody, neither the operator, nor other persons, are inside the internal area A and intermediate area I and enables to increase the velocity to the angular velocity Va.

During the working condition (article of luggage wrapping step), the control unit 7 measures, via detector 9, the height of the article of luggage 100 and possibly operates the activation device 19 for alternatively moving the reel 3 along the guide 17. The first cycle ends after some rounds at velocity Va, at a constant height (FIG. 13). At least during the working condition of wrapper 1, this latter is configured for monitoring the predetermined area at the platform 5 in order to check the presence or absence of one or more persons and/or objects inside said area. De facto, the sensor 8 is configured for monitoring the predetermined area adjacent the platform 5 which, as previously discussed, comprised the external area E, the intermediate area I and internal area A. The sensor 8 generates a safety signal and sends it to the control unit 7 which processes said signal for determining the existence of a risk condition which comprises a monitoring and intervening conditions (FIG. 15). Upon checking the monitoring condition, control unit 7 does not modify the operative condition of the wrapper, particularly continues to monitor the predetermined area. In the intervening condition, the control unit 7 is on the contrary configured for modifying the operative condition of wrapper 1 (FIG. 15). More specifically, the intervening condition comprises one or more of the following conditions:

    • an attention condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an external area (E),
    • an alert condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an intermediate area (I),
    • a danger condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an internal area (A),
    • a malfunctioning condition in the which control unit (7) does not receive the safety signal from sensor (8).

The intervening conditions are schematically illustrated as a flowchart in FIG. 16.

After a predetermined number of rounds, wrapper 1 can be stopped (FIG. 13) for enabling the operator to rotate the article of luggage 100 (article of luggage rotation of 90° or 180°). Such stopping step is substantially the same as the stand-by step: the platform 5 is still and the operator can intervene on the article of luggage 100 from the internal area A and/or from operator zone O. Then, the operator presses the start pushbutton of the second cycle and leaves the platform outside the intermediate area I (FIGS. 13 and 14). The second wrapping cycle starts at velocity Vs. The plate increases the velocity to Va as long as the operator leaves the intermediate area I and executes the wrapping rounds without the operator intervention. Also the second cycle continues with the plate or platform 5 rotation at velocity Va and is completed after a predetermined number of rounds (FIG. 14). Then, the machine stops and the operator cut the film and picks up the article of luggage 100.

During the stand-by and operation steps of the wrapper, sensor 8 is configured for monitoring the area adjacent the platform. In the stand-by condition, if the operator starts the process while one or more persons and/or objects are inside the intermediate area I or internal area A, control unit 7 prevents the wrapper from operating and sets it in the stop condition. Equally, during the working condition of wrapper 1, sensor 8 detects the surrounding area; in case there are one or more persons and/or objects inside the external area E, control unit 7 commands at least the alarm condition. If the sensor 8 detects one or more persons and/or objects inside the intermediate area I, control unit 7 commands the alarm condition and/or slow-down condition. Preferably, the control unit 7 commands the platform 5 to slow down. Always during the working condition of wrapper 1, sensor 8 detects the surrounding area; in case there are one or more persons and/or objects inside the internal area A, control unit 7 commands the stop condition, particularly commands the platform 5 to stop. Further, the process can comprise a stop condition in case two or more persons are detected by the control unit 7 inside the internal area A. Further, the process provides to continuously send, from sensor 8, the safety signal to control unit 7; without such signal, the control unit 7 is configured for commanding the attention and/or stop conditions. Such configuration enables to prevent unwanted mishaps in case of a sensor fail.

As hereinbefore discussed, the monitoring and control steps of the predetermined area can be performed at least during the wrapper working condition and/or at least during the steps wherein the operator P intervenes on the article of luggage 100: in the monitoring/control condition, sensor and control unit substantially continuously communicate for checking the presence or absence of persons and/or objects in the predetermined area. More particularly, control unit 7 substantially continuously receives the safety signal of sensor 8. However, it is not excluded the possibility wherein the wrapper 1 is configured for executing steps of monitoring and processing the safety signal (FIGS. 15 and 16), continuously and parallel to the process of wrapping the article of luggage 100; in such condition checking the presence or absence of persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area is always active.

Claims

1. A luggage (100) wrapper (1), comprising:

a frame (2),
at least one reel (3) of plastic material film engaged with the frame (2),
at least one support device (4) engaged with the frame (2) and carrying said reel (3), the support device (4) being configured for enabling to release the plastic film by unwinding the reel (3),
at least one platform (5) associated to the frame (2) and rotatingly movable around an axis (Y), said platform (5) being configured for abuttingly receiving a luggage (100) and rotating it around the axis (Y), the platform (5) rotation together with the plastic film unwinding being adapted to cover the luggage (100) with said plastic film,
at least one actuator (6) configured to set the platform (5) in rotation,
a control unit (7) configured for commanding the actuator (6) to manage the rotation of the platform (5), said control unit (7) being further configured for: sending a command signal to the actuator (6) for arranging this latter in a working condition in which the actuator (6) rotates the platform (5) at an angular wrapping velocity (Va), sending a blocking signal to the actuator (6) for arranging this latter in a stop condition in which said actuator (6) prevents the rotation of the platform (5);
characterized in that the wrapper (1) comprising at least one sensor (8) configured for monitoring a predetermined area at the platform (5) and generating at least one safety signal indicative of the presence or absence of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area, the sensor (8) being configured for sending to control unit (7) said safety signal, the control unit (7) being configured, following the reception of safety signal, for processing said safety signal and establishing the existence of a risk condition and being further configured for modifying an operative condition of the wrapper (1) as a function of the received safety signal and/or risk condition.

2. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the operative condition of the wrapper (1) comprises at least one of following conditions:

a working condition in which the platform (5) rotates at the wrapping velocity (Va) for covering the luggage (100) with the plastic film,
an alarm condition in which the wrapper (1) signals, by means of visual and/or acoustic signals, a situation of attention,
a slow-down condition in which the angular velocity of the platform (5) is reduced to a safety velocity (Vs) with respect to the angular wrapping velocity (Va) of the working condition,
a stop condition in which the rotation of the platform (5) is prevented.

3. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the risk condition, established by the control unit (7), comprises at least one from among following conditions:

an intervening condition determined by a detection, via the sensor (8), of one or more persons and/or objects internally of the predetermined area at the platform (5),
a monitoring condition determined by an absence of detection, via the sensor (8), of one or more persons and/or objects internally of the predetermined area at the platform (5).

4. The wrapper of claim 3, wherein the intervention condition comprises one or more of following conditions:

an attention condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects a presence of one or more persons and/or objects internally of an external area (E),
an alert condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects a presence of one or more persons and/or objects internally of an intermediate area (I),
a danger condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects a presence of one or more persons and/or objects internally of an internal area (A),
a malfunctioning condition in which the control unit (7) does not receive the safety signal from sensor (8).

5. The wrapper of claim 4, wherein the control unit (7), following a determination of the attention condition, is configured to modify or maintain the operative condition of the wrapper at least in one of following operative conditions: and/or wherein the control unit (7), following determination of the alert condition, is configured to modify or maintain the operative condition of the wrapper in at least one of following working conditions: and/or wherein the control unit (7), following determination of the danger condition, is configured to modify or maintain the operative condition of the wrapper in at least one of following working conditions:

working condition,
alarm condition;
alarm condition,
slow-down condition;
alarm condition,
stop condition.

6. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the sensor (8) comprises at least one optical-type presence detector, in particular the sensor (8) being a laser scanner, in particular a 2D laser scanner.

7. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the predetermined area at the platform (5) comprises an external area (E), an intermediate area (I) and an internal area (A), wherein the external area (E) has a size greater than the size of the intermediate area (I), in particular the intermediate area (I) being entirety contained in the external area (E), and wherein the intermediate area (I) has a size greater than the size of the internal area (A), in particular the internal area (A) being entirely contained in the intermediate area (I);

and wherein the platform (5) is arranged internally of the internal area (A).

8. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the predetermined area at the platform (5) comprises an external area (E), an intermediate area (I) and an internal area (A),

wherein the intermediate area (I) comprises an operator zone (O) arranged at least for a section thereof at the platform (5), the operator zone (O) being configured to enable an operator to intervene on the luggage (100) and/or on the plastic film at the luggage (100), the control unit (7), following detection of a person in the operator zone (O), commanding the slow-down condition of wrapper (1).

9. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the frame (2) comprises at least a housing portion (2a) and at least an operative portion (2b) carrying the platform (5);

and wherein the housing portion (2a) and the operative portion (2b) are spaced and preferably connected by means of an intermediate portion (2c);
and wherein the frame (2) is configured for enabling, in use conditions of the wrapper (1), to place the wrapper (1) on a ground surface, at least the operative portion (2b) being configured for having a minimum distance from the ground, the operative portion (2b) and the intermediate portion (2c) being configured for having a minimum distance (D1) from the ground that is greater than 30 mm, in particular comprised between 60 and 120 mm, and wherein the sensor (8) is engaged to the operative portion (2b) or the intermediate portion (2c) of the frame (2), the predetermined area monitored by the sensor (8) extends along a plane comprised between the ground and said operative and intermediate portions (2b, 2c).

10. The wrapper of claim 1, comprising at least one detector (9) configured for monitoring a size of the luggage (100) arranged on the platform (5) and generating at least a control signal indicating a maximum height (M), measured along the rotation axis (Y) of the platform, of the luggage (100), and wherein the support device (4), carrying the reel (3), is movable along a prevalent development direction (T) substantially parallel to the rotation axis (Y) of the platform (5), the control unit (7) being connected to the support device (4) and to the detector (9), and being configured for receiving and process the control signal from the detector (9) for determining the maximum height (M) of the luggage (100), the control unit (7), following the determination of the maximum height (M), being configured for comparing said height with a reference height and executing at least one of following operations:

if the maximum height (M) is less than or equal to the reference height, commanding the support device (4) to remain at a minimum height position, in which plastic film is placed at the platform (5),
if the maximum height (M) is greater than the reference height, commanding support device (4) to alternatively move along the prevalent development direction (T) so that the plastic film can reach the maximum height (M) and covering the whole luggage (100).

11. A process for wrapping luggage (100) comprising following steps: and wherein the process provides at least the following steps: the process further provides the following steps:

predisposing a frame (2);
predisposing a reel (3) of a plastic material film, engaged with the frame (2),
predisposing at least one support device (4) engaged with frame (2) and carrying said reel (3), the support device (4) being configured for releasing the plastic film by unwinding the reel (3),
predisposing at least one platform (5) engaged with frame (2) and rotatingly moveable with respect to this latter around an axis (Y), the platform (5) being configured for abuttingly receiving a luggage (100) and rotating it around axis (Y),
predisposing at least one actuator (6) configured for setting into rotation the platform (5),
commanding a stop condition (6) of actuator, in which this latter prevents the platform (5) from rotating,
placing a luggage (100) on platform (5),
inviting at least one portion of plastic film around the luggage (100),
placing the actuator (6) in an operative condition in which this latter rotates the platform (5) at a wrapping velocity (Va),
monitoring, by at least one sensor (8), a predetermined area at the platform (5), particularly said predetermined area comprising an external area (E), an intermediate area (I) and an internal area (A);
sending to a control unit (7), via said sensor (8), at least one safety signal indicating the presence or absence of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area,
processing, by control unit (7), said signal for determining the existence of a risk condition,
modifying the wrapper (1) operative condition as a function of the received safety signal.

12. Process of claim 11, wherein the operative condition comprises at least one of the following conditions:

a working condition in which platform (5) rotates at a wrapping velocity (Va) for covering the article of luggage (100) with the plastic film,
an alarm condition in which wrapper (1) signals, by visual and/or acoustic signals, a situation of attention,
a slow-down condition in which the angular velocity of platform (5) is reduced to a safety velocity (Vs) with respect to the wrapping angular velocity (Va) of the working condition,
a stop condition in which the platform (5) is prevented from rotating.

13. Process of claim 11 or 12, wherein the risk condition, established by control unit (7), comprises at least one among the following conditions:

an intervening condition determined by detecting, via the sensor (8), one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area at the platform (5),
a monitoring condition determined by the absence of detection, via the sensor (8), of one or more persons and/or objects inside the predetermined area at the platform (5).

14. Process of claim 13, wherein the intervening condition comprises at least one of the following conditions:

an attention condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an external area (E),
an alert condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an intermediate area (I),
a danger condition in which the control unit (7), via the sensor (8), detects the presence of one or more persons and/or objects inside an internal area (A),
a malfunctioning condition in which the control unit (7) does not receive the safety signal from sensor (8).
Patent History
Publication number: 20150274340
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 26, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 1, 2015
Inventors: Fabio TALIN (St. Moritz), Paolo BEVILACQUA (Cornedo Vicenza)
Application Number: 14/669,550
Classifications
International Classification: B65B 57/18 (20060101); B65B 57/00 (20060101); B65B 57/12 (20060101); B65B 11/04 (20060101);