Abstract: A method for wrapping groups of products with stretch film comprises the following steps: forming groups of products having a front and a longitudinal dimension following a line of feed; winding a stretch film unrolled from a first roll around first means for preforming the wrapping, positioned inside a film wrapping area and along the product group line of feed; forming a first tubular portion of stretch film; stretching the portion of film by moving the first preforming means to create an access area, whose transversal dimension is larger than the front, for a single group of products moving along the feed line; releasing the film portion to allow the portion to shrink to its former size over the group of products and thus wrapping it; expelling the wrapped package thus obtained onto the feed line.

Abstract: A novel propylene copolymer is disclosed. Also disclosed is a novel composition comprising about 85 to about 99 weight percent of a polymeric ethylenic containing component having a density no greater than 0.94 g/cc, and about 1 to about 15 weight percent of a novel propylene copolymer comprising from about 60 to about 80 weight percent propylene, based on the copolymer, and from about 20 to about 40 weight percent olefin comonomer units, the propylene copolymer having a viscosity of about 1 to about 2,000 mPa·s at 190° C. and a needle penetration of greater than about 150 to about 300 dmm. Also disclosed are films produced from the composition, both blown and cast, and both monolayer and multilayer. Also disclosed are processes for stretch wrapping and forming blown film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the automated wrapping of a bundle with a resilient stretchable film. The method comprises the steps of (i) unrolling a desired length of the film from a roll. The film has a first panel overlapping a second panel. The panels are interconnected at a sealed first end. (ii) Sealing a second end of the panels to bond them together by a second seal at the desired length. (iii) Cutting the film along the second seal to form a tube. (iv) Separating the first panel of the tube from the second panel by grasping film edges of each of the panels, whereby the tube may be opened. (v) Loading the tube in an opened position on an expandable frame, whereby at least a portion of the tube is accumulated in a folded condition on the expandable frame. (vi) Stretching the tube by expanding the expandable frame.

Abstract: A novel composition is disclosed comprising about 80 to about 99 weight percent based on the composition, of a linear ultra low density polyethylene (LULDPE) and about 1 to about 20 weight percent of a propylene polymer comprising 0 to about 40 weight percent olefin comonomer units having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent propylene, based on the propylene polymer, the propylene polymer having a Brookfield Thermosel viscosity of about 1 to about 30,000 mpa·s at 190° C. and a needle penetration of about 5 to about 300 dmm at 23° C. Also disclosed are films produced from the composition, both blown and cast, and both monolayer and multilayer. Also disclosed are processes for stretch wrapping and forming blown and cast film.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for forming a film about a foldable sheet material and an article immobilized on the base portion of the sheet material. The sheet material and article on a load board are moved sequentially by the apparatus through a load station, a film wrap station and a film seal and cut station.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for forming a film about a foldable sheet material and an article immobilized on the base portion of the sheet material. The sheet material and article on a load board are moved sequentially by the apparatus through a load station, a film wrap station and a film seal and cut station.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed package comprises an substantially rigid base(3; 22), preferably a tray, a product (2; 23) to be packaged, which in a preferred embodiment is higher than the tray side walls (5), supported on the tray (3; 22), and a stretch film (8; 15) welded to the substantially rigid base (3; 22) along a sealing line so as to form a hermetically sealed enclosure for the product. In a method and a machine for manufacturing a hermetically sealed package (1; 101) a stretch film (8; 15) is stretched by means of a stretching frame (17) against a base (3; 22) along a pressure line and is heat welded by means of a sealing frame (18) to the base (3; 22) along a sealing line so as to form a hermetically sealed enclosure for a product (2; 23). (FIG.

Abstract: A heat sealing device for sealing layers of plastic film together is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the heat sealing device is incorporated into a stretch wrapping apparatus for wrapping a load. The heat sealing device includes a heater element, an air compressor or blower, and a sealing head in fluid communication with the heater element to distribute the heated air. The sealing head is preferably flexible and includes a plurality of convection ports configured to apply heated air to a portion of the packaging material without being completely covered by the packaging material. At least one insulated film contact portion is provided to distance the convection ports from the plastic film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping the load at a desired wrap force are provided. The apparatus includes a dispenser for dispensing packaging material and means for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser. The dispenser has a prestretch portion and a post-stretch portion. The prestretch portion is configured to prestretch the packaging material within the dispenser to a point below the yield point of the packaging material. Preferably the packaging material is prestretched between first and second unpowered prestretch rollers. The post-stretch portion is configured to further stretch the prestretched packaging material to a point above the yield point of the packaging material as the packaging material moves from the dispenser to the load. Preferably, the post-stretch portion includes a friction element, such as a brake, to apply friction to one of the prestretch rollers.

Abstract: For providing a packaging container which permits easy separation of a film from the container, as well as a packaging method and a packing apparatus using the packaging container, the packaging container is constituted by a container for accommodating an article to be packaged, the container having a peripheral fitting edge and an upper opening, and a cover member formed by a film for covering the opening of the container, end portions of the film being converged to form a solid edge portion for fitting with the fitting edge of the container.

Abstract: In wrapping palletized loads with stretchable film having an elastic memory, when the wrapping is about completed, a distancing device is placed close to the wrapped load on which the last wrapping turn rests, so that a pocket is formed in the turn. The carriage of the wrapping machine is stopped in a predetermined angular position and the film tail is aligned and placed in a main clamp and a secondary clamp. Subsequently, a cutting device cuts the film between the two clamps, and the main clamp holding the leading end coming from the wrapping machine carriage moves backward at rest. The other clamp holding the tail end is introduced into the pocket and then opens and is drawn out from the pocket together with the distancing device , so that the wrapping tail gets caught and blocked by friction in the last turn which shrinks flat.

Abstract: A leading end of packaging material is grasped in a packaging material holder while a load is wrapped. Packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material holder may be positioned on the rotating surface of a turntable but isolated from any electrical or fluid power source of a rotatable surface of the turntable. During the wrapping cycle, the packaging material holder moves downstream along the turntable, automatically releasing the leading end of the packaging material and automatically grasping a trailing end of the packaging material. The packaging material is weakened and then severed between the packaging material holder and the load. The packaging material holder is mounted to permit it to move upstream due to force exerted by the packaging material held in the holder.

Abstract: A non-powered packaging material transporting surface for use in combination with a load support surface of a wrapping apparatus for wrapping a top and bottom of a load is provided. The non-powered packaging material transporting surface includes non-driven rollers aligned in an inline configuration, and a packaging material support guard adjacent to the non-driven rollers. The packaging material support guard bridges gaps between the inline rollers, thereby preventing capture of packaging material between the non-driven rollers. The non-driven rollers rotate as packaging material, wrapped around a load on a top surface of the load support surface and around the non-powered packaging material transporting surface on the underside surface of the load support surface, is moved along the transporting surface.

Abstract: A flattened decorative bag having gussets which is convertible to a decorative bag for a basket which, when a basket is inserted therein, conforms to the shape of the basket. Methods of making and using a flattened decorative bag having gussets.

Abstract: Loads on pallets are often wrapped with a plastic film for shipping. The present invention relates to top platen devices used to maintain stability in loads while the load is wrapped for shipping. The top platen device applies a compressive force to the load to stabilize the load while it is being wrapped. The top platen includes a shaft supporting platen pad which is placed on top of the load. The shaft and platen pad are configured to rotate eccentrically with respect to the geometric center of the top platen in order to rotate with the load about the load's center of rotation.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot containing a floral grouping with a flexible sleeve having a bonding material thereon which connects the sleeve to the pot when the pot is positioned within the sleeve. In one version, the sleeve is positioned about the pot and a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, an upper portion of the sleeve extending upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping contained within the pot, at least a portion of the sleeve being removable via the detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which is a decorative plant cover.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a plastics material film (1) that is stretched beyond its yield point to about 100% to 400% elongation and thereafter only partially relaxed to release part of the elastic deformation component in the film to retain between about 20% and 80% of the elastic deformation in the film (1), the film thereafter being stored in this partially relaxed state whereby, when it is used, the retained elastic deformation capability is useable for the intended purpose of the film, for example, wrapping a load.

Abstract: An automatic bagging machine using cool-shrinking film includes mainly a machine body, a bag conveying device, a bag sealing device, a bag sucking device, and a bag supporting device combined on the machine body. The bag conveying device sends continual bags to the bag sucking device to suck and stick to a lower opening of each bag to open it for a first stage. Then the four corners of the opening of the bag are respectively sucked to stick to suck drums fixed with air suckers by operation of position air pressure cylinders beside each air sucker. Then the bag is expanded out to a preset medium size, not falling down during expanding process. Next, the bag supporting device continually sends out a certain length of the bag to be positioned in the bag supporting device, which then expands the bag again to a preset maximum size. The bag together with the bag supporting device are lowered down by elevating frames to release the bag to cover and surround products (or cartons) together with the storing plate.

Abstract: A multilayer stretch film comprising at least a first layer (i) with cling properties comprising an olefin (co)polymer composition, a second layer (ii) with slip properties comprising another olefin (co)polymer composition and if desired at least one core layer (iii) comprising an olefin (co)polymer composition between the first layer (i) and the second layer (ii). The outer surface of the first layer (i) with cling properties is provided with a non-stretchable thin film of one or more slip agent(s) covering at least 50% up to 100% of the outer surface of the first layer (i), lowering the cling properties of the unstretched composite film. The thin film of slip agent(s) is provided either by direct application of the slip agent(s) onto the outer surface or by use of slip agent(s) having limited compatibility with the (co)polymer composition as additive in the (co)polymer composition of the first layer (i).

Abstract: A method for making a protective sleeve comprising a combination of a mouth and a sleeve, the combination comprising a sleeve having a first and second flaps extending beyond the sleeve, each flap having a proximate side and a distal side, with the sleeve having an opening between the flaps and having a protective mouth. The mouth includes a lip formed by folding the first clap along a line and away from the opening until the first flap is adjacent to the sleeve; a second lip formed by folding the second flap over the opening until the second flap is adjacent to the first lip; and including joints adjacent to the proximate and distal sides of the second flap, the joints being located to urge the flaps in an orientation planar with the sleeve. The protective sleeve can be incorporated in rain apparel, in thematically-shaped packaging, which in turn can be in thematically-configured packaging, with the packaging having multipurpose functionality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a top and bottom of a load with packaging material is provided. The apparatus includes at least one non-driven packaging material guide is provided for use in combination with a powered conveying surface. The non-powered packaging material guide includes at least one row of non-driven wheels attached to a rail. The force applied by the packaging material as it is wrapped around the guide is supported by both the rail and the at least one row of non-driven wheels. The rail also serves to bridge any gaps between the non-driven wheels, thereby preventing capture of packaging material between the non-driven wheels. Preferably, the packaging material guide includes two rows of non-driven wheels, one on each side of the rail. Further, it is preferable that the rail connect the two rows of wheels such that the two rows of wheels form an angle of 60 degrees between them.

Abstract: A watertight equipment cover for protecting equipment comprising first and second housing portions with sealing mechanisms attached thereto. The sealing mechanisms of the first and second housing portions are sealably engageable with each other to provide a watertight seal therebetween. Further, the first and second housings are designed to conform substantially to the contours of the protected equipment. The watertight equipment cover may also include a rotatable mechanism or blister for engaging and rotating a rotatable structure on the protected equipment.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for a paper roll having a first wrapping head including at least one supply of a first wrapping material. A first movement device moves the first wrapping head in a first predetermined direction. The wrapping machine further has a second head including at least one supply of a second wrapping material. A second movement device moves the second wrapping head in a second predetermined direction. The wrapping machine assembles a wrapped paper roll including a paper roll, at least one first layer of plastic material positioned adjacent to the paper roll, at least one intermediate layer of cushioning material positioned adjacent the first layer of plastic material and a second layer of plastic material positioned adjacent to the intermediate layer of cushioning material.

Abstract: The method relates to a method for packing articles and/or objects. Articles are packed in an elastic packing material (2) and the elastic packing material is stretched during the packing process. To achieve this, the packing material is arranged in a receptacle (1) in which a partial vacuum is produced. The packing material is stretched due to the pressure that the outside air exerts upon it. The item that is to be packed is then placed in or on the packing material. Once the vacuum has been removed, the packing material automatically reverts back to its original position by virtue of its own elasticity and is applied to the packing items. The invention also relates to a device to carry out such a method.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable film with improved shrink characteristics has ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer with nine to twenty percent by weight vinyl acetate, with narrow molecular weight distribution and a high degree of short chain branching. A multilayer embodiment includes a first layer of an acid copolymer, an ethylene alpha olefin copolymer, or blends of the two; and a second layer of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer with nine to twenty percent by weight vinyl acetate, with narrow molecular weight distribution and a high degree of short chain branching.

Abstract: A non-powered packaging material transporting surface for use in combination with a load support surface of a wrapping apparatus for wrapping a top and bottom of a load is provided. The non-powered packaging material transporting surface includes non-driven rollers aligned in an inline configuration, and a packaging material support guard adjacent to the non-driven rollers. The packaging material support guard bridges gaps between the inline rollers, thereby preventing capture of packaging material between the non-driven rollers. The non-driven rollers rotate as packaging material, wrapped around a load on a top surface of the load support surface and around the non-powered packaging material transporting surface on the underside surface of the load support surface, is moved along the transporting surface.

Abstract: A foam sheet comprising a cellular structure having two or more interconnected cells in fluid communication with one another, the foam sheet being in the form of a tray. One or more perforations are provided in the exterior surface of the tray, and extend into the cellular structure of the foam sheet to fluidly communicate with the interconnected cells. This arrangement is sufficient to permit gas to escape from the cellular structure in order to substantially prevent damage to the tray upon exposure thereof to a reduction in ambient pressure. A method of making the trays and a packaging method employing such trays is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are an arrangement and method for changing a film roll (R) in a wrapping machine, the wrapping machine comprising at least film distribution means (3) for supplying a wrapping film (F) in a continuous web from the film roll (R) around a piece (P) to be wrapped, roll fixing means (310) fitted in the film distribution means (3) for fixing said film roll (R) in a rotatable manner and substantially in the vertical direction, crank means (2) supported in a movable manner in a frame structure (1) and arranged to transfer said film distribution means (3) around the piece (P) substantially in the horizontal direction, wherein said film distribution means (3) are also arranged to move substantially in the vertical direction, and cassette means (11) for storing at least one film roll (R) and transferring it to the film distribution means (3) for the change of the film roll (R), as well as film fixing means (120) arranged in said cassette means (11) to fix the film end (Fa).

Abstract: A leading end of packaging material is grasped in a packaging material holder while a load is wrapped. Packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material holder may be positioned on the rotating surface of a turntable but isolated from any electrical or fluid power source of a rotatable surface of the turntable. During the wrapping cycle, the packaging material holder moves downstream along the turntable, automatically releasing the leading end of the packaging material and automatically grasping a trailing end of the packaging material. The packaging material is weakened and then severed between the packaging material holder and the load. The packaging material holder is mounted to permit it to move upstream due to force exerted by the packaging material held in the holder.

Abstract: Wrapping apparatus for wrapping an object such as an agricultural bale with stretched film has a powered stretch film dispenser mounted to a swing arm disposed above a bale support; the swing arm is connected to a drive unit by which the arm is swung causing the dispenser to execute continuous circular motion about a bale on the bale support, the latter being operable to spin the bale slowly about an axis in the plane of motion of the dispenser. The dispenser derives power for positively dispensing wrapping film from the arm drive unit by way of a mechanical drive transmission. In use, turns of film are wrapped in overlapping, angularly displaced fashion about the bale and the rate at which film is dispensed always bears a fixed relationship to the speed of the drive unit, the angular speed of the swing arm and the rate at which turns are wrapped around the bale.

Abstract: Wrapping apparatus for winding a web of wrapping foil (F) around an object (1). The wrapping apparatus comprises a ring guideway (2) defining a track of variable curvature and foil dispenser (6). The foil dispenser is provided with idler assemblies (10, 11) supporting the foil dispenser as it moves along the ring guideway. In the idler assembly, an inner idler (12) mounted with bearings on the foil dispenser frame (7) leans by its circumference on an inner rolling surface (3) of the guideway (2). A first outer idler (3) leans by its circumference on an outer rolling surface (4). A lateral idler (14) leans on a lateral rolling surface (5). The idler assembly comprises a second outer idler (15), which leans on the outer rolling surface (4) at a distance from the first outer idler (13). A pivoted frame (16) is mounted with bearings on the frame so that it can turn about a swing axis co-incident with the axis of rotation of the inner idler (12).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manually applying stretch film to palletized loads or products comprises a vertically upstanding mast member, a horizontally extending static boom member connected to the mast member, a horizontally extending orbiting boom member rotatably connected to the static boom member, and a vertically extending downright member connected to the orbiting boom member. A carriage assembly carrying a roll of stretch film is movably mounted upon the downright member in a counterbalanced manner, and an operator handle is fixed upon the carriage assembly so as to enable an operator to manually push the carriage assembly, the downright member, and the orbiting boom member in a circular locus around a wrapping station at which a palletized load or product is disposed for wrapping.

Abstract: A base plate for a package to inhibit an object's inadvertent displacement when the plate and object are positioned within a shipping container. The plate is composed of a rectangular sheet of paperboard or sheet form material folded at least once, and preferably twice, both horizontally and vertically to form multiple sheets in superimposed, overlapping relation thereby creating a support or base plate. A longitudinally extending separation in the upper of the sheet form supports include a plurality of separations extending from opposite edges of the longitudinal separation to form cantilevered tabs extending from opposite sides of the separation. A recess in the lower sheet form support underlying the longitudinally extending separation permits deflection of the tabs into the recess when an object, such as a motor, is placed thereon to thereby partially capture, cradle and cushion the object upon the support plate.

Abstract: A wrapping method comprises the prior stretching of a film wherein the prior stretching of the film advantageously includes a step of paying out the film from a feed reel, a stretching step, and a step of winding the stretched film onto a mandrel or a take-up reel in readiness for subsequent use. The film of the present invention is previously stretched under a large amount of tension, is released, and is then wound under moderate tension, under which the film is allowed to relax. The present invention is applicable to preparing film for wrapping loads that are optionally palletized and suitable for being put into place either manually, or mechanically.

Abstract: A wrapping method comprises the prior stretching of a film. The prior Stretching of the film advantageously includes a step of paying out the film from a feed reel, a stretching step, and a step of winding the stretched film onto a mandrel or a take-up reel in readiness for subsequent use. The film of the present invention is previously stretched under a large amount of tension, is released, and is then wound under moderate tension, under which the film is allowed to relax. The present invention is applicable to preparing film for wrapping loads that are optionally palletized and suitable for being put into place either manually, or mechanically.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved package wrapping machine which produces a wrapped product having a good seal and a favorable appearance for packages of varying sizes and shapes. More particularly, these improvements are obtained by utilizing a novel film gripper having sections that are separately disengageable to release tension on lateral sections of the film web during the wrapping of smaller than average packages, thereby preventing unwanted stretching of the film so as to promote a good seal for the packaged goods and avoid the formation of unsightly film tails. Also in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a novel package pusher is utilized to convey the package to be wrapped from a package infeed location to a registration position on the package wrapping elevator.

Abstract: The bagging apparatus comprises a frame defining an opening for receiving bundles to be sheathed, bag retaining hook members mounted to the frame and displaceable between a retracted position for receiving an expandable sheath and an extended position where the sheath is stretched for allowing bundles to be introduced into the sheath through the upstream open ended portion thereof. Advancement mechanisms are provided for displacing the bundles through the bagging apparatus. A sealing unit located on a downstream side of the frame is operational for wrapping bundles into individual hermetic bags taken from the sheath. A loading arm may also be provided for installing the sheath onto the bag retaining hook members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel simulated capsule medicament consisting of a solid core covered with two shrink-wrapped, hard-shell gelatin capsule halves. The solid cores are covered with the hard-shell gelatin capsule halves by individually shrink-wrapping onto first one end of the core a first hard-shell gelatin capsule half and then individually shrink-wrapping onto a second end of the core a second hard-shell gelatin capsule half.

Abstract: A multilayer, thermoplastic stretch wrap film containing at least three polymeric film layers and comprised of a first layer and a second layer. The first and second layers may comprise a polymer of two or more monomers, wherein a first monomer is ethylene, in a major amount by weight, and a second monomer is an alpha olefin of from about 3 to about 12 carbon atoms, in a minor amount by weight. If the first and second layers are outer layers, they have a cling force to each other of at least about 140 grams/inch. The stretch wrap film also has at least one inner polymeric layer, located between the first and second layers. The inner polymeric layer comprises a low polydispersity polymer having a polydispersity of from about 1 to about 4, a melt index (I.sub.2) of from about 0.5 to about 10 g/10 min., and a melt flow ratio (I.sub.20 /I.sub.2) of from about 12 to about 22. The inner layer(s) comprise(s) from about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt.

Abstract: A protective covering for a communications device includes a resilient water-impermeable bag which is of one piece. The bag has a single opening through which the communications device can be inserted in the bag, and a layer of adhesive runs around the opening on the inside of the bag. The adhesive layer is covered by a nonadhesive strip which can be peeled off to expose the adhesive layer. When the bag is closed following removal of the nonadhesive strip, the adhesive layer forms a water-impermeable seal for the opening of the bag.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stretch wrapping process wherein a roll of film is unwound and stretched, at a speed up to about 70 meters per minute, and the film is wrapped about the girth of a unitized plurality of goods, with the overlapping layers of film being held together by cling force. The film used in the present process is produced from a composition comprising about 85 to about 99 weight percent of a polymeric ethylenic containing component having a density no greater than 0.94 g/cc, and about 1 to about 15 weight percent of a propylene polymer comprising 0 to about 40 weight percent olefin comonomer units having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent propylene.

Abstract: A wrapping method comprises the prior stretching of a film wherein the prior stretching of the film advantageously includes a step of paying out the film from a feed reel, a stretching step, and a step of winding the stretched film onto a mandrel or a take-up reel in readiness for subsequent use. The film of the present invention is previously-stretched under a large amount of tension, is released, and is then wound under moderate tension, under which the film is allowed to relax. The present invention is applicable to preparing film for wrapping loads that are optionally palletized and suitable for being put into place either manually, or mechanically.

Abstract: An adjustable-length, reusable, recyclable pallet wrap for constraining a lading while displaying high-impact graphics. The pallet wrap preferably has a set of horizontally-spaced, vertically-oriented, preformed lines of reduced resistance to bending at each of four regions to facilitate providing a snug fit around typical pallets or ladings of various sizes. In one embodiment, a dual-function pallet wrap is provided which can function as a pallet skirt for in-store displays in addition to functioning as a constraint for the lading.

Abstract: A system for the vertical packaging of webbing rolls comprises a bottom tray, a top cap, a plurality of webbing rolls, and stretch wrap film. The bottom tray includes a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall. Likewise, the top cap includes a top wall and a plurality of side walls extending downward from the top wall. The webbing rolls are positioned between the bottom tray and the top cap with the webbing rolls resting on the bottom wall of the bottom tray and the top cap positioned atop the webbing rolls. Horizontally adjacent ones of the webbing rolls are in contact with each other. The contact between adjacent ones of the webbing rolls helps to maintain the integrity of the system during movement thereof. To reduce the amount of packaging material utilized in the system, neither the bottom tray nor the top cap includes corners joining their respective side walls.

Abstract: A method for protecting a roll of pressure-sensitive paper and a package produced by the method uses bubble wrap and film to protect the roll of paper. The bubble wrap has a plurality of bubbles which permanently entrap air. These pockets of air in the bubble wrap cushion the roll of paper initially as well as over long periods of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of covering a stack formed of articles supported on a support pallet with a stretch film, with the apparatus including at least four reefing fingers movable in horizontal and vertical directions for picking up a film cover in four corners of the cover in a bellow-like manner, and four rigid stretching elements associated with respective reefing fingers, with the method including moving the reefing fingers horizontally into four corner regions of the cover and placing the cover around the reefing fingers in a bellows-like manner, moving, before an end of the placing process, the stretching elements radially outwardly and above the respective associated reefing fingers and moving the stretching elements, after reefing and before start of a pull-over process, inward in a direction toward the stack until the stretching elements are located closer to the stack than the respective reefing fingers, moving the reefing fingers away from the stack and thereafter, pulling the cover over the

Abstract: A method for packaging bulk goods into an intermediate bulk container including the steps of placing an inner package made of a flexible resilient material onto a base, providing the inner package with a reinforcement structure in an interior thereof, filling the interior of the inner package with bulk goods whereby the inner package obtains substantially the shape of a parallelepiped, and then surrounding the inner package and at least a portion of the base with an outer package made of a plastic material to firmly secure the inner package to the base via the outer package.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus is provided including a shuttle for orbital movement around an object to be wrapped, the shuttle carrying a feed roll from which a web of plastic film is drawn to wrap the object, the shuttle including a pre-stretching mechanism including: a braking roller mounted on the shuttle for rotation about an axis that is fixed relative to the shuttle; a stretching roller mounted on the shuttle for rotation about an axis which is fixed relative to the shuttle, parallel to the braking roller axis and spaced therefrom, the web being drawn directly from the feed roll around the stretching roller; drive transmission means connecting the rollers such that the surface speed of the stretching roller exceeds that of the braking roller; mandrel means for the rotational support of a feed roll of stretch wrap film mounted on the shuttle by guide means allowing the mandrel to move freely towards the braking roller under the influence of tension in a web of film drawn directly from the feed roll and passing ar

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping an article, such as a bale of silage, in a stretchable polymeric film comprising a pair of stretch rollers for stretching the film, a film dispenser for delivering the film to the stretch rollers and means for rotating the article to take up stretched film from the stretch rollers. The means for driving the stretch rollers comprises at least one first hydraulic motor, and the means for rotating the article comprises at least one second hydraulic motor, and the at least one first hydraulic motor and the at least one second hydraulic motor are connected in series. The at least one second hydraulic motor is run at least partially on the exhaust from the at least one first hydraulic motor such that the ratio of outputs of the at least one first hydraulic motor and the at least one second hydraulic motor is fixed.

Abstract: A load of stretch wrap with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material by feeding a sheet through a stretch wrap dispenser and stretching and dispensing from the dispenser, and providing relative rotation between the dispenser and the load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load. The portion of the sheet is weakened with a sheet weakening device, and sheet is tensioned to break the sheet at the weakened portion.