STRETCH WRAPPING MACHINE AND METHOD OF STRETCH WRAPPING

Abstract

A portable stretch wrapping machine and method of stretch wrapping is disclosed herein. The stretch wrapping machine has a base and at least three wheels extending from the base for rolling on a surface. An arm extends up from the base and a stretch wrap holder is disposed with a first side of the arm. The stretch holder is configured to hold and dispense stretch wrap from a roll of stretch wrap. A lift is disposed with the arm and is configured to lift and lower the stretch wrap holder. The portable stretch wrapping machine is configured and disposed to hold and dispense the stretch wrap and maintain a center of gravity within a perimeter of the wheels.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to stretch wrapping machines and methods, more specifically toward portable stretch wrapping machines and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shipping of pallet loads of goods constitutes a substantial part of commercial traffic. Frequently the pallet loads may have items, containers, boxes, or articles that do not stack in sufficiently stable configurations to permit stability during shipping. Often it is desirable to ship pallet loads of goods which are dimensionally different in size and shape from load to load, depending on the purchase orders being filled. In these situations and numerous others, it may be desirable to wrap the pallet load with a membrane such as plastic film, fabric, plastic netting, or stretch wrap that will tightly fit about the articles in the load and contain them during transport.

Stretch wrapping of goods or containers with a stretch wrap film to secure the goods or containers to a pallet is common. It is known to stretch wrap by hand. This is typically performed by walking around the pallet having containers or goods stacked thereon and unrolling the stretch wrap around the pallet and containers. Some of the disadvantages of hand stretch wrapping may include labor costs, health and safety of the workers, and the inability or hardships associated with hand stretch wrapping of high stacked loads or wrapping with heavy film or machine stretch wrap film.

To overcome some of the disadvantages of hand stretch wrapping, stretch wrapping machines have been developed. A commonly used stretch wrapping machine involves turning the pallet load while leading the ribbon of film onto the load and permitting it to wrap the load as the pallet turns. Many of the stretch wrapping machines currently being used and developed may be complex and costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a portable stretch wrapping machine is disclosed. The portable stretch wrapping machine comprises a base and at least three wheels extending from the base, for rolling on a surface. An arm extends up from the base. A stretch wrap holder is disposed with a first side of the arm, the stretch holder being configured to hold and dispense stretch wrap from a roll of stretch wrap. A lift is disposed with the arm, the lift is configured and to lift and lower the stretch wrap holder. The portable stretch wrapping machine is configured and disposed to hold and dispense stretch wrap and maintain a center of gravity within a perimeter of the wheels.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of stretch wrapping containers on a pallet is disclosed. The method comprises placing a roll of stretch wrap in a stretch wrap holder, wherein the stretch wrap holder is held above a base; extending stretch wrap from the roll of stretch and securing an end thereof onto the containers or pallet; and moving, by hand, the stretch wrap holder and base around the containers and pallet, wherein the base maintains contact with the pallet and slides on an outer surface of the pallet.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only, and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative example of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a base and a lower portion of an arm and stretch wrap holder of the portable stretch wrapping machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a central portion of the arm and a lift of the portable stretch wrapping machine shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 shows the base and wheels of the portable stretch wrapping machine shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable stretch wrapping machine and method of stretch wrapping. Stretch wrap or stretch film is a stretchable plastic film that is wrapped around items, such as containers or boxes on a pallet. A pallet typically comprises a low profile portable platform on which goods are placed for storage or moving, such as in a warehouse or vehicle. Typically, pallets are made of wood, but may be made of plastic, metal, or other materials.

The elastic recovery of stretch wrap film keeps wrapped items tightly bound. It is frequently used to unitize pallet loads but also may be used for bundling smaller items. Stretch wrapping is often performed to provide a film around one or more products or containers with the aim to stabilize and secure the cargo.

There are several types of stretch film or stretch wrap including machine stretch film and hand stretch film. The most common stretch wrap material is linear low-density polyethylene or LLDPE. Many films have about 500% stretch at break but may only be stretched to about 100-300% in use. Once stretched, the elastic recovery is used to keep the load tight.

Machine Stretch Film is often provided in rolls, around a core, of about 4000 to 8000 feet length of film. Typically machine stretch film comes in 20 inch width rolls or may also be provided as wide web machine stretch film rolls, referring to machine stretch film rolls exceeding 20″ in width. Rolls of machine stretch film may weigh in a range of about 30 to 50 pounds, or more. The stretch film machine may stretch the film around the load under tension or “film force”.

Machine stretch film is typically used with powered stretch equipment. There are several different types of powered stretch equipment available today. The most common is the rotary spiral or turntable pre-stretch machines. Stretch film machines may not be economical for smaller output operations and machine stretch film may not be practically applied by hand. The weight of the film roll and the applied film force may introduce health and safety issues for the workers. Machine stretch film rolls are considerably heavier than hand stretch film rolls. Therefore, machine stretch film is typically not applied by hand.

Hand stretch film is typically manually applied with the power of an operator. The operator stretches the film while walking around the pallet. Hand wrapping, with hand wrap film, with current hand wrapping methods and dispensers, may be practical when wrapping only a few pallets per day. Hand wrapping, with current methods, may also be problematic while wrapping taller loads.

There are several varieties of hand stretch wrap film, or stretch film, including pre-stretched hand film. Pre-stretched hand stretch film, or pre-stretched stretch wrap, is a hand grade stretch film that has been pre-stretched, then wound around a core. Some advantages of pre-stretched stretch wrap may include less tension, or film force, as compared to machine wrap, when applied; lighter weight rolls; and less film usage. Since the film is already stretched, not as much tension or film force may be needed to apply to the load. This pre-stretching may also reduce the weight of the roll of stretch and may help to reduce waste.

Hand stretch film is often provided as a length of about 1500 feet wrapped around a core, or roll. Hand stretch wrap may provide advantages to people or companies producing a low or mid-sized output of products or packages. For example, the cost of a stretch wrapper machine may be substantially reduced or saved. Hand stretch wrap may be easy to use directly out of the box and will stabilize, unitize, and secure a variety of loads. Hand stretch film comes in a variety of widths, up to about 20 inches, that allows users to stabilize a variety of load sizes by hand.

With current hand stretch wrapping methods, less consistent load tension, or film force, than machine stretch wrapping may be realized. Businesses handling a medium to high amount of production often us a machine dispensing machine stretch film. Stretch wrap machines help to reduce waste by applying precise settings, as well as maintain a consistent load tension for all loads. Hand stretch film requires manpower to apply to loads. This manpower can often outweigh the electrical energy costs of a stretch wrap machine.

The presently disclosed portable stretch wrapping machine and method may provide stretch wrapping that may save substantial costs associated with currently used stretch wrap machines and/or may provide advantages associated with, or not realized by, both machine stretch wrapping and hand stretch wrapping. For example, the presently disclosed portable stretch wrapping machine may allow a single user to wrap with large, long, wide, and/or heavy rolls of stretch wrap. In at least one embodiment of the preset disclosure, the portable stretch wrapping machine may be used to hold and dispense pre-stretched hand stretch wrap having a width in excess of twenty inches.

In referencing the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative example of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present disclosure. A portable stretch wrapping machine 100 comprises a base 142 having at least three wheels 150 extending therefrom, for rolling on a surface. An arm 110 extends up from base 142. A stretch wrap holder 118 is disposed with a first side of arm 110, stretch wrap holder 118 is configured to hold and dispense stretch wrap from a roll of stretch wrap. For example, stretch wrap holder 118 may have spindles 120 for inserting into ends of a core in a roll of stretch wrap. Lift 128 is disposed with arm 110 and is configured to lift and lower stretch wrap holder 118. Portable stretch wrapping machine 100 is configured and disposed to hold and dispense stretch wrap and maintain a center of gravity within a perimeter of wheels 150.

The perimeter of base 142 may have “S” shaped portion 143. “S” shaped portion 143 may provide base 142 with a configuration that permits a user to move stretch wrapping machine around items being stretch wrapped, or a pallet supporting the items being wrapped. For example, a user may slide base 142 around a pallet, maintain contact with the pallet, and avoid catching on the pallet.

FIG. 2 shows another illustrative example of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present disclosure, stretch wrapping machine 200. Portable stretch wrapping machine 200 comprises a base 242, at least three wheels 251 and 252, extending from the base for rolling on a surface, and an arm 210 extending up from the base. A stretch wrap holder has an upper holder 218 and a lower holder 240, each disposed with a first side of arm 210. Upper stretch wrap holder 218 and lower stretch wrap holder 240 each may have a spindle extending from an arm perpendicular with arm 210 and extending into a core of stretch wrap 220, configuring stretch wrap holder 200 to hold and dispense stretch wrap from a roll of stretch wrap 220.

A lift 228 is disposed with arm 210 and is configured to lift and lower the stretch wrap holder, 218 and 240. Portable stretch wrapping machine 200 is configured and disposed to hold and dispense the stretch wrap, from stretch roll 220, and maintain a center of gravity within a perimeter of wheels 250 and 251.

Portable stretch wrapping machine 200 may have an electrical motor 248, shown in FIG. 3, and a battery 225, such as a lithium ion battery. Battery 225 may be in electrical communication with the electrical motor 248 with wires 226. Electrical motor 248 may be configured and disposed move a lift 228, moving upper and lower stretch wrap holders, 218 and 240, up and down. For example, lift 228 may have a screw, as shown in FIG. 4, and motor 248 may be configured and disposed to rotate the screw and lift and lower the stretch wrap holder. In at least one embodiment, upper stretch wrap holder 218 has upper support 212 and lower stretch wrap holder 240 has lower support 232. Upper support 212 may have helical thread for cooperating with the screw and move upper stretch wrap holder 218 upon rotation of the screw. Lower support 232 may have helical thread for cooperating with the screw and move lower stretch wrap holder 240 upon rotation of the screw.

Portable stretch wrapping machine 200 may have a handle 222 extending from a second side of arm 210, the second side of the arm being a side opposite the first side of arm 210. The first side of arm 210 holds upper and lower stretch wrap holders 218 and 240. Upper stretch wrap holder 218 may have a tensioner 214 configured and disposed to brake or provide tension to stretch wrap 220, or film force, when wrapping containers. Tension controller 216 may provide the user with control or adjustment of the amount of tension or film force being placed on stretch wrap 220. For example, tension controller 216 may be in the form of a knob.

Portable stretch wrapping machine 200 may have a controller 224. Controller 224 may be mounted on handle 222 or arm 210. Controller 224 may be in electrical communication with motor 248 and allow the user to lift and lower stretch wrap 220 while stretch wrapping.

Portable stretch wrapping machine 200 may be configured to hold, lift and lower, and provide the ability to stretch wrap containers with a variety of stretch wraps. For example, portable stretch wrapping machine 200 may stretch wrap with machine stretch wrap, hand stretch wrap, or pre-stretched hand stretch wrap. In at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed stretch wrap machine, stretch wrap machine 200 may be used to stretch wrap with a roll of pre-stretched hand stretch wrap having a width of over 20 inches. For example, pre-stretched hand stretch wrap having a roll width of 21, 22, . . . 25, inches or more, in increments of about an inch, may be held and dispensed from the presently disclosed portable stretch wrap machine. In at least one embodiment, pre-stretch hand stretch wrap having a roll width of about 45 inches may be used.

FIG. 3 shows base 242 and a lower portion of arm 210 having lower stretch wrap holder 240 extending therefrom. The perimeter of base 242 may have “S” shaped portion 243. “S” shaped portion 243 may provide base 242 with a configuration that permits a user to move stretch wrapping machine around items being stretch wrapped, or a pallet supporting the items being wrapped. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, base 242 has at least one “S” shaped portion 243 that permits base 242 to remain in contact with a pallet, and avoid catching on the pallet, while a user moves portable stretch machine 200 around the pallet with handle 222. In at least one other embodiment, base 242 has a leading “S” shaped portion and a trailing “S” shaped portion, allowing the user to push or pull stretch wrapping machine 200 around the pallet. For example, the perimeter of base 242 may have a kidney-shape or may have a side shaped like an oval with an inward curve. In at least one embodiment, pushing a handle extending from arm 210 may effectuate stretch wrapping.

In at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed stretch wrapping machine, base 242 holds wheels 251 and 252 for rolling on a surface. Base 242 hold the wheels with a portion of the wheels extending above a plane of base 242. For example, base 242 may have wheel supports 246 having a flange extending over an opening in base 242. The flange may be configured for the mounting of wheels 250 and 251 and permit the wheels to roll on a surface through the openings in base 242. In this embodiment, a plane of the base may be positioned close to the surface on which it rolls and permit the lowering of stretch wrap 220 to become near a bottom of a pallet or items being wrapped.

FIG. 4 shows a central portion of 210 arm and lift 228 of portable stretch wrapping machine 200. Lift 228 may comprise a screw extending up in arm 210, the screw may be configured and disposed to lift and lower the stretch wrap holder, comprising upper stretch wrap holder 218 and lower stretch wrap holder 240, upon rotation of the screw. For example, motor 228 may be configured and disposed to rotate the screw and upper and lower stretch wrap holders 218 and 240 may have an inner helical thread configured to cooperate with the screw. In at least one embodiment, arm 210 has a slot 230, permitting a portion of upper and lower stretch wrap holders, 218 and 240, to extend to lift 228.

FIG. 5 shows base 242 and wheels 251 and 252 of portable stretch wrapping machine 200. Wheels 251 and 252 have portions extending above a plane of base 242 and lower portions extending through openings of base 242 and positioned for rolling on a surface. Portable stretch wrapping machine 200 may comprise at least one swiveling wheel 252. Swiveling wheel 252 may provide portable stretch wrapping machine 200 the ability to be rotated while wrapping. Rotation of portable stretch wrapping machine 200 about the items being wrapped may provide a substantially consistent angle between the dispensing stretch wrap and the items being wrapped, while stretch wrapping.

A method of stretch wrapping containers on a pallet is presently disclosed. The method comprises placing a roll of stretch wrap in a stretch wrap holder. For example, upper stretch wrap holder 218, or a spindle extending therefrom, may be lifted while lower stretch holder 240 remains stationary. The separation between the upper and lower stretch wrap holders 218 and 240 forms a gap space greater than the width of the stretch wrap, or length of the stretch wrap core. The stretch wrap holder is held above a base. Stretch wrap may then be extended from the roll of stretch wrap and have an end thereof secured onto the items, containers, and/or pallet being stretch wrapped. Moving, by hand, the stretch wrap holder and base around the containers and pallet, while maintaining contact of the base with the pallet causes the stretch to dispense from the roll and stretch wrap around the items and pallet being stretch wrapped.

At least a portion of the pallet supporting the items or containers being stretch wrapped may be stretch around the pallet as well as the items. Stretch wrapping the items and pallet may provide stability of the items on the pallet. For example, lifting or lowering the roll of stretch wrap, with respect to the base, during the moving of the stretch wrap holder and base around the items and pallet, may be performed to stretch wrap a desired height of the items and/or pallet with a desired number of layers of stretch wrap. The roll of stretch wrap may be hand pre-stretch wrap film having a width greater than 20 inches.

Aspects of the presently disclosed portable stretch wrapping machine may be used for hand stretch wrapping items, containers, or goods, which may be on a pallet. One feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a portable stretch wrapping machine comprising: a base; at least three wheels extending from the base for rolling on a surface; an arm extending up from the base; a stretch wrap holder disposed with a first side of the arm, the stretch wrap holder being configured to hold and dispense stretch wrap from a roll of stretch wrap; and a lift disposed with the arm configured to lift and lower the stretch wrap holder; wherein the portable stretch wrapping machine is configured and disposed to hold and dispense the stretch wrap and maintain a center of gravity within a perimeter of the wheels.

Another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine, wherein the perimeter of the base has an “S” shaped portion.

Yet another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine, wherein the perimeter of the base has a side shaped like an oval with an inward curve or a kidney-shape.

Still another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping, wherein the wheels comprise at least one swiveling wheel.

A further feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine, wherein the wheels have at least a portion extending above a plane of the base.

Another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine, wherein the lift comprises a screw extending up in the arm, the screw being configured and disposed to lift and lower the stretch wrap holder upon rotation of the screw.

Yet another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine being configured to lift and lower a roll of hand pre-stretch wrap film having a width greater than 20 inches.

Still another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine being configured to lift and lower a roll of hand pre-stretch wrap film having a width of about 45 inches.

A further feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine comprising an electrical motor and a lithium ion battery, the lithium ion battery being in electrical communication with the electrical motor and the electrical motor being configured and disposed to rotate the screw and lift and lower the stretch wrap holder.

Another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine further comprising a handle extending from a second side of the arm, the second side of the arm being a side opposite the first side of the arm.

Yet another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine, wherein the handle comprises a vertical portion for grasping.

One feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine further comprising a tensioner disposed with the stretch wrap holder configured to provide tension to the disposing stretch wrap.

Another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine further comprising a tension adjuster configured and disposed to adjust the amount of tension to the disposing stretch wrap.

Yet another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the portable stretch wrapping machine further comprising a controller configured and disposed to control the lift.

Still another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of stretch wrapping items on a pallet comprising the steps of: placing a roll of stretch wrap in a stretch wrap holder, wherein the stretch wrap holder is held above a base; extending stretch wrap from the roll of stretch and securing an end thereof onto the items or pallet; and moving, by hand, the stretch wrap holder and base around the items and pallet, wherein the base maintains contact with the pallet.

A further feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method of stretch wrapping items on a pallet comprising stretch wrapping at least a portion of the pallet.

Another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method of stretch wrapping items on a pallet further comprising a step of lifting or lowering the roll of stretch wrap, with respect to the base, during the moving of the stretch wrap holder and base around the items and pallet.

Yet another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method of stretch wrapping items on a pallet, wherein the roll of stretch wrap is a roll of hand pre-stretch wrap film having a width greater than 20 inches.

Still another feature or aspect of an illustrative example is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method of stretch wrapping items on a pallet, wherein moving the stretch wrap holder and base around the items and pallet comprises pushing or pulling on a vertically extending handle.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

NOMENCLATURE

• 100 stretch wrap machine
• 110 arm
• 118 stretch wrap holder
• 120 spindle
• 122 handle
• 128 lift
• 142 base
• 143 “S” shaped portion of base
• 150 wheels
• 200 stretch wrapping machine
• 210 arm
• 212 upper support
• 214 tensioner
• 216 tension controller
• 218 upper stretch wrap holder
• 220 stretch wrap
• 222 handle
• 224 controller
• 225 battery
• 226 wires
• 228 lift
• 230 slot
• 232 lower support
• 240 lower stretch wrap holder
• 242 base
• 243 “S” shaped portion of base
• 246 wheel support
• 250 electrical motor
• 251 wheels
• 252 swiveling wheel
• 225 battery

Claims

1. A portable stretch wrapping machine comprising:

a base;

at least three wheels extending from the base for rolling on a surface;

an arm extending up from the base;

a stretch wrap holder disposed with a first side of the arm, the stretch wrap holder being configured to hold and dispense stretch wrap from a roll of stretch wrap; and

a lift disposed with the arm configured to lift and lower the stretch wrap holder;

wherein the portable stretch wrapping machine is configured and disposed to hold and dispense the stretch wrap and maintain a center of gravity within a perimeter of the wheels.

2. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein the perimeter of the base has an “S” shaped portion.

3. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein the perimeter of the base has a side shaped like an oval with an inward curve or a kidney-shape.

4. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein the wheels comprise at least one swiveling wheel.

5. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein the wheels have at least a portion extending above a plane of the base.

6. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1, wherein the lift comprises a screw extending up in the arm, the screw being configured and disposed to lift and lower the stretch wrap holder upon rotation of the screw.

7. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 6 being configured to lift and lower a roll of hand pre-stretch wrap film having a width greater than 20 inches.

8. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 6 being configured to lift and lower a roll of hand pre-stretch wrap film having a width of about 45 inches.

9. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 6 comprising an electrical motor and a lithium ion battery, the lithium ion battery being in electrical communication with the electrical motor and the electrical motor being configured and disposed to rotate the screw and lift and lower the stretch wrap holder.

10. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1 further comprising a handle extending from a second side of the arm, the second side of the arm being a side opposite the first side of the arm.

11. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 10, wherein the handle comprises a vertical portion for grasping.

12. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1 further comprising a tensioner disposed with the stretch wrap holder configured to provide tension to the disposing stretch wrap.

13. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 12 further comprising a tension adjuster configured and disposed to adjust the amount of tension to the disposing stretch wrap.

14. The portable stretch wrapping machine of claim 1 further comprising a controller configured and disposed to control the lift.

15. A method of stretch wrapping items on a pallet comprising the steps of:

placing a roll of stretch wrap in a stretch wrap holder, wherein the stretch wrap holder is held above a base;

extending stretch wrap from the roll of stretch and securing an end thereof onto the items or pallet; and

moving, by hand, the stretch wrap holder and base around the items and pallet, wherein the base maintains contact with the pallet.

16. The method of stretch wrapping items on a pallet of claim 15 comprising stretch wrapping at least a portion of the pallet.

17. The method of stretch wrapping items on a pallet of claim 15 further comprising a step of lifting or lowering the roll of stretch wrap, with respect to the base, during the moving of the stretch wrap holder and base around the items and pallet.

18. The method of stretch wrapping items on a pallet of claim 15, wherein the roll of stretch wrap is a roll of hand pre-stretch wrap film having a width greater than 20 inches.

19. The method of stretch wrapping items on a pallet of claim 15, wherein moving the stretch wrap holder and base around the items and pallet comprises pushing or pulling on a vertically extending handle.