Abstract: A wrapping machine (10) which retains a gathered leading edge of a wrapping material with a clamp (40) by a rotatable turntable (14) supporting a load (16) during at least initiation of wrapping of the load with the wrapping material in accordance with the invention including at least one wrapping material retaining mechanism (42, 44, 300), a wrapping material retaining mechanism being movable from a first position to a second position, the at least one wrapping material retaining mechanism in the second position retaining the wrapping material without gathering of the wrapping material; a wrapping material translating mechanism (52, 53, 55, 55', 57 or 300-316) carried by one of the at least one wrapping material retaining mechanism for translating the wrapping material retained by the at least one wrapping material retaining mechanism into the clamp to gather wrapping material within the clamp while the clamp is in an open position for retention of the gathered wrapping material when the clamp is closed; and

Abstract: A wrapping machine and operation for wrapping a load arranged on a pallet with a stretchable wrapping material under a substantially constant tension during the wrapping operation. The load that is to be wrapped is arranged on a support member which can be rotated for drawing off stretchable wrapping material from a roll of such material. A dispensing mechanism holds the roll of stretchable wrapping material and dispenses the material so that it can be wrapped around the load arranged on the support member. As an alternative to the support member with the load being rotated, the dispensing member can revolve around the support member and the load so as to dispense and wrap the load with the stretchable material. During the wrapping operation, the tension on the portion of the stretchable wrapping material being wrapped around the load is maintained at a substantially constant tension. Prior to actually wrapping the load with the stretchable wrapping material, such material can be prestretched.

Abstract: A stretch wrapping machine is disclosed having a prestretcher having a single driven roller and a controlled supply roll of stretchable wrapping material. In several embodiments, a variable ratio transmission varies the ratio of the rotational velocity of the driven roller and the rotational velocity of the supply roll to maintain a substantially constant ratio of the peripheral velocity of the driven roller to the peripheral velocity of the supply roll. In several embodiments, a brake applies a variable braking force to the supply roll to maintain a substantially constant ratio of the peripheral velocity of the driven roller to the peripheral velocity of the driven roller.

Abstract: A wrapping machine and operation for wrapping a load arranged on a pallet with a stretchable wrapping material under a substantially constant tension during the wrapping operation. The load that is to be wrapped is arranged on a support member which can be rotated for drawing off stretchable wrapping material from a roll of such material. A dispensing mechanism holds the roll of stretchable wrapping material and dispenses the material so that it can be wrapped around the load arranged on the support member. As an alternative to the support member with the load being rotated, the dispensing member can revolve around the support member and the load so as to dispense and wrap the load with the stretchable material. During the wrapping operation, the tension on the portion of the stretchable wrapping material being wrapped around the load is maintained at a substantially constant tension. Prior to actually wrapping the load with the stretchable wrapping material, such material can be prestretched.

Abstract: A stretch wrapping machine is disclosed having a prestretcher having a single driven roller and a controlled supply roll of stretchable wrapping material. In several embodiments, a variable ratio transmission varies the ratio of the rotational velocity of the driven roller and the rotational velocity of the supply roll to maintain a substantially constant ratio of the peripheral velocity of the driven roller to the peripheral velocity of the supply roll. In several embodiments, a brake applies a variable braking force to the supply roll to maintain a substantially constant ratio of the peripheral velocity of the driven roller to the peripheral velocity of the driven roller.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping a load in a unitary package. The load is supported on a rotatable support which can be rotated typically at speeds between 2 and 10 rpm. With the utilization of a variable speed DC motor drive in conjunction with an electronic control circuit, the speed of the support can be infinitely varied. As the support is rotated, a stretchable wrapping material is withdrawn from a rolled up sheet of such material and wrapped around the load due to the rotation of the support. A control mechanism controls the operation of the DC driving motor for causing the support to be rotated a plurality of turns for wrapping the load with the stretchable material being withdrawn from a dispensing mechanism. The control mechanism rotates the support at a first speed during a first portion of the rotatable movement of the support and then at a second slower speed during a subsequent portion of the rotatable movement of the support.

Abstract: A wrapping machine and operation for wrapping a load arranged on a pallet with a stretchable wrapping material under a substantially constant tension during the wrapping operation. The load that is to be wrapped is arranged on a support member which can be rotated for drawing off stretchable wrapping material from a roll of such material. A dispensing mechanism holds the roll of stretchable wrapping material and dispenses the material so that it can be wrapped around the load arranged on the support member. As an alternative to the support member with the load being rotated, the dispensing member can revolve around the support member and the load so as to dispense and wrap the load with the stretchable material. During the wrapping operation, the tension on the portion of the stretchable wrapping material being wrapped around the load is maintained at a substantially constant tension. Prior to actually wrapping the load with the stretchable wrapping material, such material can be prestretched.

Abstract: An automatic stretch wrapping machine is disclosed.

Abstract: Successive layers of stretch film are wrapped around a load stacked on a motor driven rotatable turntable, the film being supplied as the leading end of a web pulled off a rotatable non-driven roll, and rotation of the roll being initially positively restricted by a spring biased brake. Tension in the web is successively increased to automatically increase stretch in the web in stages during succeeding revolutions. An anchoring member is automatically projected to hold the pallet immovable on the table during wrapping.