Abstract: In order to ensure an extended preservation term to a feeding product for animals, such as hay, straw and fodder, after harvest the product is compressed to form a cylindrically shaped body or object and then helically wrapped up with a web-like film of plastics material.To this end, the body or object is brought to bear on a series of drive rollers imparting thereto a rotary motion about its own axis, while from a reel or roll which is provided with a continuous rotary motion about said body or object the web like film is unwound.The cross-wrapping of the heap is advantageously completed by a peripheral supplementary wrapping of the heap.

Abstract: For continuously wrapping a palletized load, a self-propelling apparatus is provided, said apparatus being fitted with means for electric traction fed by batteries, said machine moving at a distance around the outer perimeter of a load.The apparatus and with it the reel, from which the film unwinds to wrap the load, follows a path which alters in correspondence with the outer perimeter of the load to be wrapped. The outer perimeter of the load is detected by devices fitted inside a container for evaluating the preselected distance between the path to be followed by the apparatus and said outer perimeter of the load. Conveniently, said means are based on the emission of ultrasonic waves and receiving of their respective echos.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine comprises a slide vertically sliding along a stationary load bearing column and provided with horizontal rails wherealong a power driven carriage is movable carrying a packaging foil web supply device for laying a top horizontal sheet onto a parcel or pile to be packaged.