US20190047731A1

US20190047731A1 - Utensil Wrapping Apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20190047731A1
Application number: US16/100,229
Authority: US
Inventors: Len Charles Kretchman; Emily Jo Kretchman; Craig Anthony Wilberts
Original assignee: Kretchman Holdings LLC
Current assignee: Kretchman Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2017-08-12
Filing date: 2018-08-10
Publication date: 2019-02-14

Abstract

A utensil wrapping apparatus including belt rollers, conveyor belts, a bracket assembly, napkin folders, fold actuators, and a rolling station is provided. The conveyor belts wound around the belt rollers accommodate and convey a napkin with one or more utensils placed thereon from an entry end to a release end of the conveyor belts. The bracket assembly folds a leading corner of the napkin over the utensils. The napkin folders, actuated by the fold actuators, fold opposing corners of the napkin around the utensils. The rolling station receives and initiates rolling and tucking of the napkin folded around the utensils. A set of rolling belts in the rolling station moving in a direction counter to movement of the conveyor belts rolls the napkin folded around the utensils and facilitates conveyance of the rolled napkin with the utensils over the conveyor belts to a release end of the conveyor belts.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the provisional patent application titled “Utensil Wrapping Apparatus”, application No. 62/544,786, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 12, 2017. The specification of the above referenced patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The apparatus disclosed herein, in general, relates to wrapping utensils in a napkin for placement on dining tables in hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, etc. More particularly, the apparatus disclosed herein relates to a compact automated utensil wrapping apparatus that wraps one or more utensils in a napkin in a single folding and wrapping motion, that occupies less space, and that can be operated without requirement for skilled personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A utensil wrapping apparatus comprising a primary conveyor frame, a first set of belt rollers, a set of conveyor belts, a staging member, a bracket assembly, at least two napkin folders, at least two fold actuators, and a rolling station is provided. The primary conveyor frame is defined by opposing side walls. The first set of belt rollers is operably connected substantially perpendicular to the opposing side walls of the primary conveyor frame via roller axles. The belt rollers roll on corresponding roller axles. The conveyor belts are wound around the belt rollers. The conveyor belts accommodate and convey a napkin and one or more utensils placed on the napkin from an entry end towards a release end of the conveyor belts. The napkin and the utensils placed on the napkin are accommodated and supported on the conveyor belts using the staging member. The staging member is rigidly connected substantially perpendicular to upper ends of the opposing side walls of the primary conveyor frame.
The bracket assembly is positioned above the set of conveyor belts and is rigidly connected to the opposing side walls of the primary conveyor frame. The bracket assembly folds a leading corner of the conveyed napkin over the utensils. The napkin folders are positioned proximal to the bracket assembly and are hingedly connected to the upper ends of the opposing side walls of the primary conveyor frame. The napkin folders fold opposing corners of the conveyed napkin with the folded leading corner around the utensils. The fold actuators are operably attached to the opposing side walls of the primary conveyor frame. The fold actuators actuate the napkin folders for facilitating the folding of the opposing corners of the conveyed napkin with the folded leading corner around the utensils by the napkin folders.
The rolling station is positioned proximal to the bracket assembly and the fold actuators. The rolling station comprises a secondary conveyor frame, a roll starter and tuck assembly, multiple roller shafts, a second set of belt rollers, at least one drive roller, and a set of rolling belts. The secondary conveyor frame is positioned above the set of conveyor belts via first brackets rigidly connected to the opposing side walls of the primary conveyor frame. The roll starter and tuck assembly is rotatably connected to one of the roller shafts for receiving and initiating rolling and tucking of the conveyed napkin folded around the utensils. The roller shafts are operably connected to the secondary conveyor frame. The second set of belt rollers is mounted on and roll on the corresponding roller shafts.
The drive roller is operably connected to the second set of belt rollers. The drive roller is mounted on a conveyor shaft for driving the second set of belt rollers. The conveyor shaft is operably connected substantially perpendicular to the opposing side walls of the primary conveyor frame via second brackets. The set of rolling belts is wound around the second set of belt rollers that are driven by the drive roller. The rolling belts move in a direction counter to movement of the conveyor belts for rolling the conveyed napkin folded around the utensils over the conveyor belts and facilitating conveyance of the rolled napkin with the utensils over the conveyor belts to the release end of the conveyor belts.
In one or more embodiments, related systems comprise circuitry and/or programming for effecting the methods disclosed herein. The circuitry and/or programming can be any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the methods disclosed herein depending upon the design choices of a system designer. Also, in an embodiment, various structural elements can be employed depending on the design choices of the system designer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and components disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a component referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or component shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a utensil wrapping apparatus.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a disassembled view of the utensil wrapping apparatus.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a partial exploded view of a belt roller assembly of the utensil wrapping apparatus.

FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a rolling station of the utensil wrapping apparatus.

FIGS. 5A-5E exemplarily illustrate different views of the utensil wrapping apparatus, showing a method for wrapping a napkin around utensils using the utensil wrapping apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a utensil wrapping apparatus 100. The utensil wrapping apparatus 100 disclosed herein comprises a primary conveyor frame 101, a first set of belt rollers 104, a set of conveyor belts 105, a staging member 106, a bracket assembly 133 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2, at least two napkin folders 131 a and 131 b, at least two fold actuators 132 a and 132 b, a rolling station 112, and a control panel 129. The primary conveyor frame 101 is defined by opposing side walls 102 and 103 for providing support to the utensil wrapping apparatus 100. The opposing side walls 102 and 103 that define the primary conveyor frame 101 are made of materials selected, for example, from acetal, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), fiber reinforced plastic or other materials such as plastics, glass, ceramics, metal, etc. The control panel 129 is fixed to an outer surface 102 b of the opposing side wall 102 of the primary conveyor frame 101. The control panel 129 triggers folding and rolling of a napkin 501 around one or more utensils 502 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E, for example, forks, knives, spoons, silverware, etc.
The first set of belt rollers 104 is operably connected substantially perpendicular to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 via roller axles 139 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3. In an embodiment, the first set of belt rollers 104 is rotatably connected substantially perpendicular to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 via the roller axles 139. The first set of belt rollers 104 is mounted on the corresponding roller axles 139. The belt rollers 104 are, for example, foam rollers. In an embodiment, the belt rollers 104 are made of materials selected, for example, from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), plastics, composites, metal, etc. The opposing ends 139 a and 139 b of the roller axles 139 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3, are mounted with ball bearings (not shown) and operably connected to slots defined on inner surfaces (not shown) of the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101. The roller axles 139 are driven via a timing belt (not shown) powered by a motor 134 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2. The timing belt is connected to a driven timing belt pulley (not shown) mounted on the roller axles 139 and is driven by a driving timing belt pulley 135.
The set of conveyor belts 105 is wound around the first set of belt rollers 104. The set of conveyor belts 105 extends from a front end 101 a of the primary conveyor frame 101 to a rear end 101 b of the primary conveyor frame 101 to envelop the first set of belt rollers 104. The conveyor belts 105 are intermittent moving bands made of materials selected, for example, from urethane, nylon, fabrics, metal, rubber, etc. Rolling of the belt rollers 104 around the corresponding roller axles 139 move the conveyor belts 105 from the front end 101 a of the primary conveyor frame 101 to the rear end 101 b of the primary conveyor frame 101. The conveyor belts 105 accommodate and convey a napkin 501 and one or more utensils 502 placed on the napkin 501 from an entry end 105 a towards a release end 105 b of the conveyor belts 105 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E. The napkin 501 and the utensils 502 placed on the napkin 501 are accommodated and supported on the set of conveyor belts 105 using the staging member 106. The staging member 106 is an elongated rod shaped structure made of a material selected, for example, from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), metal, glass, plastic, ceramics, etc. The staging member 106 is rigidly connected substantially perpendicular to upper ends 102 a and 103 a of the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 respectively.
The bracket assembly 133 is positioned above the set of conveyor belts 105 and is rigidly connected to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 for folding a leading corner 501 b of the conveyed napkin 501 flat over the utensils 502 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B. The bracket assembly 133 comprises opposing brackets 107 a and 107 b, a first support bar 108, a second support bar 109, a support plate 110, and a cross bar 111 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2. The opposing brackets 107 a and 107 b are fixed to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 using fasteners 130, for example, standoff spacers, screws, etc. The ends 108 a and 108 b of the first support bar 108 are fixed to the opposing brackets 107 a and 107 b respectively, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. The second support bar 109 is fixed perpendicular to the first support bar 108. One end 109 b of the second support bar 109 is centrally fixed to the first support bar 108, while the other end 109 a of the second support bar 109 is centrally fixed to the support plate 110. The second support bar 109 is rigidly connected to the cross bar 111. The cross bar 111 is positioned proximal to one end 110 a of the support plate 110 and fixed to the other end 109 a of the second support bar 109. The cross bar 111 is an elongated rod shaped structure made of a material selected, for example, from acetal, metal, glass, plastic, ceramics, etc. The support plate 110 is positioned above the set of conveyor belts 105. The napkin 501 and the utensils 502 placed on the napkin 501 are accommodated and supported on the set of conveyor belts 105 using the support plate 110. The support plate 110 is a plate like structure made of, for example, polystyrene. The bracket assembly 133 is made of materials selected, for example, from acetal, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene, wood, fiber reinforced plastic, metal, glass, plastic, ceramics, carbon steel, metal, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel, etc.
The napkin folders 131 a and 131 b are positioned proximal to the bracket assembly 133 and are hingedly connected to the upper ends 102 a and 103 a of the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 respectively. The napkin folders 131 a and 131 b fold opposing corners 501 c and 501 d of the conveyed napkin 501 with the folded leading corner 501 b around the utensils 502 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C. The napkin folders 131 a and 131 b are flat wing shaped structures made of materials selected, for example, from polystyrene, fiber reinforced plastic, metal, plastic, steel, fabrics, etc.
The fold actuators 132 a and 132 b are operably attached to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 for actuating the napkin folders 131 a and 131 b for facilitating the folding of the opposing corners 501 c and 501 d of the conveyed napkin 501 with the folded leading corner 501 b around the utensils 502 by the napkin folders 131 a and 131 b respectively, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5B-5C. The fold actuators 132 a and 132 b are made of composite materials or other materials, for example, 0.010″ thick polystyrene, glass, ceramics, plastics, etc. The fold actuators 132 a and 132 b trigger movement of the napkin folders 131 a and 131 b respectively, using a heavy string, for example, a braided fish line guided by a set of pulleys, actuated by a cam (not shown) powered by the motor 134 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5C.
The rolling station 112 is positioned proximal to the bracket assembly 133 and the fold actuators 132 a and 132 b. The rolling station 112 comprises a secondary conveyor frame 113, a roll starter and tuck assembly 117, multiple roller shafts 118, 119, and 120, a second set of belt rollers 121, 122, and 123, at least one drive roller 124, and a set of rolling belts 127. The secondary conveyor frame 113 is positioned above the set of conveyor belts 105 via brackets 116 a and 116 b. The brackets 116 a and 116 b are rigidly connected to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 using fasteners 130, for example, standoff spacers, screws etc. The brackets 116 a and 116 b are made of materials selected, for example, from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), fiber reinforced plastic, metal, glass, plastic, ceramics, carbon steel, metal, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel, etc. The brackets 116 a and 116 b fix the secondary conveyor frame 113 to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101. The secondary conveyor frame 113 comprises opposing support members 114 and 115 for providing support to the rolling station 112. The opposing support members 114 and 115 are configured, for example, as nylon side rails. The secondary conveyor frame 113 is made of materials selected, for example, from nylon, HDPE, fiber reinforced plastic or other materials such as plastics, glass, ceramics, metal, etc.
The roll starter and tuck assembly 117 is rotatably connected to one of the roller shafts, for example, the roller shaft 118 for receiving and initiating rolling and tucking of the conveyed napkin 501 folded around the utensils 502. The roller shaft 118 is operably connected to the ends 114 a and 115 a of the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. In an embodiment, the roller shaft 118 is rigidly connected to the ends 114 a and 115 a of the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. In another embodiment, the opposing ends (not shown) of the roller shaft 118 are mounted with ball bearings (not shown) and operably connected to the ends 114 a and 115 a of the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. The roll starter and tuck assembly 117 is mounted on the roller shaft 118 along with one column of the second set of belt rollers, for example, 121.
The second set of belt rollers 121, 122, and 123 is mounted on the corresponding roller shafts 118, 119, and 120 respectively, that are operably connected to the secondary conveyor frame 113. The belt rollers 121, 122, and 123 roll on the roller shafts 118, 119, and 120 respectively. The belt rollers 121, 122, and 123 are, for example, foam rollers. The belt rollers 121, 122, and 123 are made of materials selected, for example, from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), plastics, composites, metal, etc. The roller shaft 119 is operably connected proximal to the ends 114 a and 115 a of the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. In an embodiment, the roller shaft 119 is rigidly connected proximal to the ends 114 a and 115 a of the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. In another embodiment, the opposing ends (not shown) of the roller shaft 119 are mounted with ball bearings (not shown) and operably connected proximal to the ends 114 a and 115 a of the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. The roller shaft 120 is operably connected to the ends 114 b and 115 b of the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. In an embodiment, the roller shaft 120 is rigidly connected to the ends 114 b and 115 b of the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. In another embodiment, the opposing ends (not shown) of the roller shaft 120 are mounted with ball bearings (not shown) and operably connected to the ends 114 b and 115 b of the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. The roller shafts 118, 119 and 120 are elongated rods made of materials selected, for example, from stainless steel, fiber reinforced plastic, metal, glass, plastic, ceramics, etc.
The drive roller 124 is operably connected to one column of the second set of belt rollers 123 and is mounted on a conveyor shaft 125 for driving the second set of belt rollers 121, 122, and 123. The conveyor shaft 125 is positioned coaxially within the roller shaft 120. The conveyor shaft 125 is operably connected substantially perpendicular to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 via brackets 126 a and 126 b respectively. In an embodiment, the conveyor shaft 125 is rigidly connected substantially perpendicular to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 via brackets 126 a and 126 b respectively. The brackets 126 a and 126 b are connected to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 respectively, using fasteners 130, for example, standoff spacers, screws etc. The drive roller 124 is positioned proximal to the ends 114 b and 115 b of the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. The drive roller 124 is a wheeled structure made of a material selected, for example, from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), fiber reinforced plastic, metal, etc. The conveyor shaft 125 drives the drive roller 124 via a flat urethane belt of dimensions, for example, 0.5″wide×0.06″ thick.
The set of rolling belts 127 is wound around the second set of belt rollers 121, 122, and 123 that is driven by the drive roller 124. The rolling belts 127 are intermittently moving in coordination with the conveyor belts 105. The rolling belts 127 are moving bands made of materials selected, for example, from nylons, fabrics, metal, rubber, etc. The set of rolling belts 127 moves in a direction counter to the movement of the set of conveyor belts 105 for rolling the conveyed napkin 501 folded around the utensils 502 over the set of conveyor belts 105 and facilitating conveyance of the rolled napkin 501 with the utensils 502 over the set of conveyor belts 105 to the release end 105 b of the set of conveyor belts 105 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5E. The set of rolling belts 127 moving in a direction counter to the movement of the set of conveyor belts 105 increases the rolling speed of the napkin 501 folded around the utensils 502. In an embodiment, the rolling station 112 further comprises at least one frame cross beam 128, for example, two frame cross beams 128 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. The frame cross beams 128 are connected substantially perpendicular to the opposing support members 114 and 115 of the secondary conveyor frame 113 respectively. The frame cross beams 128 are elongated rod shaped structures made of materials selected, for example, from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), stainless steel, metal, glass, plastic, ceramics, etc. The frame cross beams 128 are positioned proximal to the set of rolling belts 127. The frame cross beams 128 facilitate rolling of the rolling belts 127 across the second set of belt rollers 121, 122, and 123.
FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a disassembled view of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100. In addition to the primary conveyor frame 101, the first set of belt rollers 104, the set of conveyor belts 105, the staging member 106, the bracket assembly 133, the napkin folders 131 a and 131 b, the fold actuators 132 a and 132 b, the rolling station 112, and the control panel 129 of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 1, the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 further comprises a motor 134. The motor 134 is positioned inside the primary conveyor frame 101. The motor 134 is bolted to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 as a sub-assembly using fasteners 130, for example, standoff spacers, screws, etc. The motor 134 delivers power to the set of conveyor belts 105 via the timing belt. The motor 134 delivers power to the napkin folders 131 a and 131 b via a flexible line and the set of pulleys (not shown). The control panel 129 triggers the motor 134. The motor 134 powers the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 for rolling the napkin 501 around the utensils 502 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E. The motor 134 triggers the first set of belt rollers 104 to roll on the corresponding roller axles 139, which facilitates movement of the set of conveyor belts 105 on the first set of belt rollers 104 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3.
The motor 134 also triggers the drive roller 124 for driving the second set of belt rollers 121, 122, and 123 to roll on the roller shafts 118, 119, and 120 respectively, which facilitates movement of the set of rolling belts 127 in a direction counter to the movement of the set of conveyor belts 105 for rolling the napkin 501 folded around the utensils 502 over the set of conveyor belts 105 and conveying the rolled napkin 501 with the utensils 502 over the set of conveyor belts 105 to the release end 105 b of the set of conveyor belts 105.
After the napkin folders 131 a and 131 b fold the napkin 501 around the utensils 502, the roll starter and tuck assembly 117 of the rolling station 112 receives the napkin 501 folded around the utensils 502 for rolling of the napkin 501 folded around the utensils 502 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E. The roll starter and tuck assembly 117 comprises multiple roll starters 136 connected to corresponding tuckers 137. The roll starters 136 are made of materials selected, for example, from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), fiber reinforced plastic, metal, glass, plastic, ceramics, carbon steel, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel, etc. The tuckers 137 are made of materials selected, for example, from urethane, fiber reinforced plastic, metal, glass, plastic, ceramics, carbon steel, PVC, stainless steel, etc. The roll starters 136 start the rolling of the napkin 501 folded around the utensils 502 received from the set of conveyor belts 105. The tuckers 137 tuck in the top layer 501 a of the napkin 501 folded around the utensils 502 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D.
FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a partial exploded view a belt roller assembly 138 of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100. The belt roller assembly 138 comprises the first set of belt rollers 104, the corresponding roller axles 139, and the set of conveyor belts 105. The first set of belt rollers 104 are mounted on the corresponding roller axles 139 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3. The roller axles 139 are elongated rods made of materials selected, for example, from stainless steel, fiber reinforced plastic, metal, glass, plastic, ceramics, etc. The set of conveyor belts 105 is wound around the first set of belt rollers 104. The first set of belt rollers 104 roll on the corresponding roller axles 139, which facilitates the set of conveyor belts 105 to roll along with the first set of belt rollers 104 for conveying the napkin 501 and the utensils 502 placed on the napkin 501, on the conveyor belts 105 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E. The opposing ends 139 a and 139 b of the roller axles 139 are fixed to the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101 respectively, exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-2.
FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the rolling station 112 of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100. The positioning and functions of the components of the rolling station 112 comprising the secondary conveyor frame 113, the roll starter and tuck assembly 117 with the roll starters 136 and the tuckers 137, the roller shafts 118, 119, and 120, the second set of belt rollers 121, 122, and 123, the drive roller 124, the rolling belts 127, and the frame cross beams 128 are disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1-2. The rolling station 112 rolls and tucks the napkin 501 folded around the utensils 502 and thereafter facilitates rolling and conveyance of the rolled and tucked napkin 501 around the utensils 502 over the set of conveyor belts 105 to the release end 105 b of the set of conveyor belts 105 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E.
FIGS. 5A-5E exemplarily illustrate different views of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100, showing a method for wrapping a napkin 501 around utensils 502 using the utensil wrapping apparatus 100. Consider an example where utensils 502, for example, forks and knives need to be wrapped in napkins 501 and placed on dining tables in a restaurant. An operator of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 activates the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 using the control panel 129 fixed to the outer surface 102 b of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100. The control panel 129 triggers the motor 134 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2, positioned within the opposing side walls 102 and 103 of the primary conveyor frame 101. The motor 134 powers the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 for folding and rolling the napkin 501 around the utensils 502. The motor 134 triggers the first set of belt rollers 104 to facilitate movement of the set of conveyor belts 105 along the first set of belt rollers 104 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1-2.
The operator of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 positions a napkin 501 at the entry end 105 a of the set of conveyor belts 105, proximal to the staging member 106. In an embodiment, the napkin 501 is positioned in an any “corner first” orientation on the set of conveyor belts 105 to create a channel for loading the utensils 502. The operator then positions the utensils 502, for example, a fork and a knife, on the napkin 501. FIG. 5A exemplarily illustrates the napkin 501 and the utensils 502 loaded on the set of conveyor belts 105 at the entry end 105 a of the set of conveyor belts 105, proximal to the staging member 106. The set of conveyor belts 105 driven by the first set of belt rollers 104 conveys the napkin 501 and the utensils 502 placed on the napkin 501 below the bracket assembly 133. The bracket assembly 133 folds the leading corner 501 b of the conveyed napkin 501 flat over the utensils 502 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5B. The operator then activates the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 using the control panel 129 to activate the fold actuators 132 a and 132 b. The napkin folders 131 a and 131 b, actuated by the fold actuators 132 a and 132 b respectively, fold the opposing corners 501 c and 501 d of the napkin 501 around the utensils 502 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5C. The fold actuators 132 a and 132 b reset the napkin folders 131 a and 131 b, when the napkin 501 folded around the utensils 502 is conveyed to the release end 105 b of the set of conveyor belts 105.
The napkin 501 with the folded leading corner 501 b and the folded opposing corners 501 c and 501 d is then conveyed to the rolling station 112 of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100. The folded napkin 501 with the utensils 502 traverses along the set of conveyor belts 105 and enters the roll starter and tuck assembly 117 of the rolling station 112. The drive roller 124, running in conjunction with the set of conveyor belts 105, powers up the rolling station 112 and the second set of rolling belts 127 that roll on the roller shafts 118, 119, and 120 respectively. The roll starters 136 of the roll starter and tuck assembly 117 initiate the rolling of the folded napkin 501, and the tuckers 137 of the roll starter and tuck assembly 117 tuck the top layer 501 a of the folded napkin 501 adjacent to one end of the utensils 502 inward during rolling to close one end of the bundle thus formed as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5D. The roll starter and tuck assembly 117 resets after the rolling of the folded napkin 501 around the utensils 502.
The folding and rolling functions of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 wrap the napkin 501 around the utensils 502. The set of rolling belts 127 of the rolling station 112 move in a direction counter to the movement of the set of conveyor belts 105 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5D, thereby accelerating the rolling speed of the napkin 501 rolled around the utensils 502. The set of rolling belts 127 convey the rolled and tucked napkin 501 around the utensils 502 over the set of conveyor belts 105. The rolled and tucked napkin 501 around the utensils 502 glides over the set of conveyor belts 105 to the release end 105 b of the set of conveyor belts 105 and is delivered out of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 to the operator for placement on a dining table in the restaurant. In an embodiment, the operator uses the control panel 129 to stop the first set of belt rollers 104, and in turn the set of conveyor belts 105, and to stop the second set of belt rollers 121, 122, and 123, and in turn the set of rolling belts 127. The utensil wrapping apparatus 100 is then ready for the next cycle of wrapping the next napkin 501 around another set of utensils 502.
The foregoing examples have been provided merely for explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 and the method disclosed herein. While the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 and the method have been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Furthermore, although the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 and the method have been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 and the method are not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 and the method extend to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, that the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 and the method disclosed herein are capable of modifications and other embodiments may be effected and changes may be made thereto, without departing from the scope and spirit of the utensil wrapping apparatus 100 and the method disclosed herein.

Claims

We claim:

1. A utensil wrapping apparatus comprising:

a primary conveyor frame defined by opposing side walls;

a first set of belt rollers operably connected substantially perpendicular to said opposing side walls of said primary conveyor frame via roller axles, wherein said first set of belt rollers rolls on corresponding said roller axles;

a set of conveyor belts wound around said first set of belt rollers, wherein said set of conveyor belts accommodates and conveys a napkin and one or more utensils placed on said napkin from an entry end towards a release end of said set of conveyor belts;

a bracket assembly positioned above said set of conveyor belts and rigidly connected to said opposing side walls of said primary conveyor frame for folding a leading corner of said conveyed napkin over said one or more utensils;

at least two napkin folders positioned proximal to said bracket assembly and hingedly connected to said upper ends of said opposing side walls of said primary conveyor frame for folding opposing corners of said conveyed napkin with said folded leading corner around said one or more utensils;

at least two fold actuators operably attached to said opposing side walls of said primary conveyor frame for actuating said at least two napkin folders for facilitating said folding of said opposing corners of said conveyed napkin with said folded leading corner around said one or more utensils by said at least two napkin folders; and

a rolling station positioned proximal to said bracket assembly and said at least two fold actuators, said rolling station comprising:

a secondary conveyor frame positioned above said set of conveyor belts via first brackets rigidly connected to said opposing side walls of said primary conveyor frame;

a roll starter and tuck assembly rotatably connected to one of a plurality of roller shafts for receiving and initiating rolling and tucking of said conveyed napkin folded around said one or more utensils, said roller shafts operably connected to said secondary conveyor frame;

a second set of belt rollers mounted on and rolling on corresponding other of said roller shafts;

at least one drive roller operably connected to said second set of belt rollers and mounted on a conveyor shaft for driving said second set of belt rollers, said conveyor shaft operably connected substantially perpendicular to said opposing side walls of said primary conveyor frame via second brackets; and

a set of rolling belts wound around said second set of belt rollers driven by said at least one drive roller and moving in a direction counter to movement of said set of conveyor belts for rolling said conveyed napkin folded around said one or more utensils over said set of conveyor belts and facilitating conveyance of said rolled napkin with said one or more utensils over said set of conveyor belts to said release end of said set of conveyor belts.

2. The utensil wrapping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a staging member rigidly connected substantially perpendicular to upper ends of said opposing side walls of said primary conveyor frame for accommodating and supporting said napkin and said one or more utensils placed on said napkin on said set of conveyor belts.

3. The utensil wrapping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control panel fixed to one of said opposing side walls of said primary conveyor frame for triggering said folding and said rolling of said conveyed napkin around said one or more utensils.