Abstract: A stretch wrapping apparatus and process for wrapping and sealing random-sized loads, in which the load is surrounded with a plurality of tube forming support members which extend along the length of the load. A conveyor directly beneath the load supports the load and preferably incorporates at least one upper and one lower endless belt, rotating so that the upper surface of the upper belt and the lower surface of the lower belt are both carried in the same downstream direction at the same speed. The tube forming support members converge to the load with skids which do not support the load, and preferably have endless conveyor belts with an outer surface circulating in the same downstream direction and at the same speed as the lower dual conveyor. A stretched film web is wrapped around the tube forming support members, conveyor, and load by a film dispenser, wrapping the load as well as space in front of and behind the load.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel apparatus for making unitary completely wrapped packages. In the apparatus, a series of loads are fed into a wrapping apparatus onto a wrapping conveyor assembly comprised of a plurality of conveyors. The film is continuously wrapped around the load and the conveyor assembly to form a spiral bundle with the load being carried off by the top portion of one conveyor and the wrap being carried off the bottom portion of another conveyor so that the load and wrap are carried off at the same speed onto a take-off conveyor. The spiral stretched film web is sealed and severed between adjacent loads by a cutting and sealing apparatus to form a six sided compressive wrap around each load.

Abstract: A rotatable film wrapping apparatus for wrapping a load on a conveyor with an overwrap of stretched plastic film web, having a film web pre-stretching mechanism which is provided with a constant torque by a power assistance mechanism. The power assistance mechanism comprises a stationary ring adjacent a rotary ring on which the film roll and pre-stretch mechanism are mounted, and a friction roller on the rotary ring which contacts the stationary ring to transfer rotational energy to the pre-stretch device as the rotary ring rotates. The pre-stretch mechanism comprises a downstream roller across which the film is drawn to the load at a speed which varies, and an upstream roller linked by gears to the downstream roller so that the upstream roller rotates at a fixed fraction of the speed of the downstream roller to stretch film between the rollers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus for making a package from a load using a single web of stretchable film material to form the overwrap. The apparatus comprises a frame, a support assembly secured to and extending from the frame, and a film dispenser mechanism rotatably mounted to the support assembly. The film dispenser mechanism comprises an arm member, a counterbalance weight on one end of the arm member, and a film stretching mechanism mounted on the other end of the arm member adjacent to a roll of stretchable film material which is also mounted on the arm member. The film stretching mechanism is constructed with two rollers closely spaced apart and mechanically connected, with the upstream roller being driven by a drive member mounted to it or its shaft.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for applying stretchable plastic film to loads for containment of the loads using two connected sets of powered rollers driven at different speeds to elongate the plastic film beyond its yield point and simultaneously connecting the stretched film to a rotating load whose surface is moving at approximately the same rate of speed as the surface of the faster and final of the two sets of rollers. A powered or force loaded film accumulator such as a dancer bar can be added to compensate for corners of the load where significant length-width distortions exist. In addition, a web narrowing device may be placed upstream or downstream from the rollers to reduce the hazard of edge tear under high elongation forces. Closure of the film ends can be accomplished by a mechanical closure mechanism.

Abstract: A pass through apparatus and process for wrapping a web of stretched material around a conveyor transported load. The pass through apparatus has a film supply assembly on opposite sides of the load, each of the assemblies comprising a film dispenser and a powered roller mechanism which takes film from the film dispenser and pre-stretches it in the powered roller mechanism prior to the application of the film around the load. Once the load passes a sensing station, it is stopped and the clamping jaws draw the tensioned film around the load and clamp together short sections of film which have not been pre-stretched by the roller mechanisms. The film is then relaxed in the sealing area and is sealed in an untensioned un-pre-stretched state. The sealed webs are then severed allowing the wrapped load to be carried away by the conveyor with the film wrap slowly recovering its original configuration increasing the holding force of the wrap on the load.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for pre-stretching a plastic film material above its yield point in a roller assembly comprising at least two rollers connected for rotation at different speeds during a load wrapping operation. The downstream roller is at least partially driven by the film web connected to a turntable while the upstream roller rotates at a predetermined speed slower than that of the downstream roller to induce film elongation between the rollers. The force on the film between the roller assembly and the load is reduced by a powered constant torque device connected to the rollers to bring the force to the load down to a level permitting the film elongation between the roller assembly and the load to be equal to (balanced) or less than the elongation incurred between the rollers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for pre-stretching a plastic film material above its yield point in a roller assembly comprising at least two rollers connected for rotation at different speeds during a load wrapping operation. The downstream roller is at least partially driven by the film web connected to a turntable while the upstream roller rotates at a predetermined speed slower than that of the downstream roller to induce film elongation between the rollers. The force on the film between the roller assembly and the load is reduced by a powered constant torque device connected to the rollers to bring the force to the load down to a level permitting the film elongation between the roller assembly and the load to be equal to (balanced) or less than the elongation incurred between the rollers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for applying stretchable plastic film to loads for containment of the loads using two connected rollers driven by the film web so that the rollers are driven at different speeds to elongate the plastic film beyond its yield point and wrapping the elongated film after it has been stretched past its yield point around a rotating load. A roller can be added to the apparatus to increase the set time for the elongated film after it is stretched by the connected rollers. In addition, a web narrowing device may be placed upstream or downstream from the apparatus to reduce the hazard of edge tear under high elongation forces.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel apparatus and process for making unitary packages. In the apparatus, a series of loads are fed into a wrapping apparatus onto a wrapping conveying assembly comprised of a plurality of conveyors. The film is wrapped around the load and the conveyor assembly with the load being carried off by the top portion of one conveyor and the wrap being carried off the bottom portion of another conveyor so that the load and wrap are carried off at the same speed onto a take-off conveyor. The stretched film web can be severed by a cutting mechanism positioned adjacent the dispensing means in the banding, full web or spiral modes of operation. In a continuous bundling mode, the wrapped bundle can be transported downstream to a cutting area where the loads are severed into individual packages which are carried off to a stacking or processing station.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for applying stretchable plastic film to loads for containment of the loads using two connected rollers driven by the film web so that the rollers are driven at different speeds to elongate the plastic film beyond its yield point and wrapping the elongated film after it has been stretched past its yield point around a rotating load. A roller can be added to the apparatus to increase the set time for the elongated film after it is stretched by the connected rollers. In addition, a web narrowing device may be placed upstream or downstream from the apparatus to reduce the hazard of edge tear under high elongation forces.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for automatically making a spiral wrapped unitary package having a ring type or tied closure. In the apparatus a series of loads, each containing a plurality of units are fed one load at a time onto a turntable adjacent a material dispenser with the leading edge of the material from the dispenser being formed into a rope-like configuration by a roper mechanism and held by a clamp mechanism mounted on the turntable. The material is opened to its full web width, stretched and is spirally wrapped around the load at which time it is again formed into another rope-like configuration by the roper mechanism, and is positioned adjacent the leading edge where it is mechanically joined to the leading edge of the material by a ring type or tied closure. The roped material is then released from the clamp mechanism mounted on the turntable and the material is allowed to return to its memory position.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wrapping apparatus having a frame, a reciprocally driven carriage moveably mounted on the frame, the carriage being adapted to hold a rotatable roll of stretchable film material and a film width varying mechanism. A driven rotatable turntable adapted to support a load is positioned adjacent to the frame, and the leading edge of the film material is held adjacent the load. A brake is connected to the film roll to restrict movement of the web of material from the roll and the film width varying mechanism is mounted in the material path so that the film web travels through a pivotable "C" shaped assembly of the film width varying mechanism which when pivoted by spring action reduces the film web width, so that the film material is stretched and reduced in width as it leaves the roll.

Abstract: A process for automatically making a spiral wrapped unitary package with a single web of stretchable material to form a netting overwrap. A series of loads, each containing a plurality of units are fed one at a time onto a turntable adjacent a film dispenser with the leading edge of the film from the film dispenser being collapsed in width and held by a clamp mechanism mounted on the turntable. The collapsed film web is spirally wrapped around the load to one end of the load and spirally wrapped around the load to the other end to complete a first cycle defining an overwrap netting configuration with a plurality of symmetrical angular spaces. The turntable is then rotated at least 90.degree. to offset the collapsed film web and a second cycle is repeated with the film web being spirally wrapped to overlie part of the originally spirally wrapped film web and reduce the angularly shaped spaces formed by the first cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for automatically making spiral wrapped unitary package having a netting overwrap. In the apparatus a series of loads, each containing a plurality of units are fed one at a time onto a turntable adjacent a netting dispenser with the leading edge of the netting from the netting dispenser being held by a clamp mechanism mounted on the turntable. The netting is spirally wrapped around the load and is then formed into a rope-like configuration by a roper mechanism, with the roped netting being wrapped around the turntable clamp mechanism, at which time the roped netting is clamped by a clamping, tucking and cutting mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a plurality of loads into a wrapped package comprising a conveyor adapted to receive a plurality of loads and a film dispensing apparatus. This film dispensing apparatus comprises a frame, a ring member rotatably mounted on the frame, a film roll support and brake member mounted on the ring member. A guide wrapping rail is aligned with the conveyor to receive and carry loads transported by the conveyor and is so positioned that one end passes through the ring member. A material handling assembly having two clamp mechanisms, is positioned adjacent the dispenser apparatus. One of the clamp mechanisms is adapted to alternately hold the leading edge of a roll of stretchable material carried by the ring member film roll support in a fixed position while the other clamp mechanism holds the trailing edge of the stretchable material to form the package wrap.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for effecting a flying splice of vertically positioned rolls of plastic film mounted on a reel. Each supply roll of film has an adhesive strip extending diagonally across the leading edge of the film web with a sleeve member mounted to the bottom of the adhesive strip. The sleeve member is moveably mounted on a guide member mounted to the reel to hold the leading edge in position and in correct orientation for its engagement with the film web of the expiring roll. The supply roll when rotated by the reel positions the leading edge of the supply roll with its adhesive strip against film web dispensed from the expiring roll, so that the leading edge of the film web of the supply roll is carried off the roll, with the sleeve member being carried off of the guide member.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a plurality of loads into a wrapped package comprising a conveyor adapted to receive a plurality of loads and a film dispensing apparatus. This film dispensing apparatus comprises a frame, a ring member rotatably mounted on the frame, a film roll support and brake member mounted on the ring member. A guide wrapping rail is aligned with the conveyor to receive and carry loads transported by the conveyor and is so positioned that one end passes through the ring member. A material handling assembly having two clamp mechanisms, is positioned adjacent the dispenser apparatus. One of the clamp mechanisms is adapted to alternately hold the leading edge of a roll of stretchable material carried by the ring member film roll support in a fixed position while the other clamp mechanism holds the trailing edge of the stretchable material to form the package wrap.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and process for making a unitary package which comprises a load that has a band formed of plural layers of a stretched material wrapped around it.The apparatus comprises a frame with a rotatable drive shaft driven by a drive mechanism, an arm secured to the drive shaft and a roll holding shaft rotatably mounted to the arm. A sensor device measures the thickness of a material roll placed on the roll holding shaft to control an electromagnetic brake mechanism mounted on the roll holding shaft to variably engage the roll holding shaft thus maintaining a constant tension on the film unwrapped from the roll.The steps of the process are placing a load on a support; locating a rolled-up sheet of a stretchable material on dispenser roll adjacent to the support; withdrawing a leading edge of the material from the dispenser roll and holding the leading edge of the material against the load.

Abstract: An automatic wrapping machine comprising a film roll support adapted to hold a roll of film, a turntable adapted to hold a load of unitary members positioned adjacent to the film roll support, a drive apparatus to rotate the turntable and a brake adapted to place tension on the film web of the roll of elastic stretchable material carried in the roll support. A clamp assembly is mounted adjacent to the load to hold the film while the turntable with associated load rotates allowing film to wrap around the load and the clamp assembly. The clamping assembly includes a pneumatic device for activating the clamp after the completion of at least one revolution of turntable so that the clamping assembly is retracted from the film overwrap. A film cutting and clamping mechanism is located adjacent to the turntable to cut the film web after the load is wrapped and holds the free end of the film in a secured position.