Abstract: Packaging material may be profiled to generate an incremental containment force per revolution (ICF) attribute that is represented by a function that is variable as a function of wrap force. Moreover, the performance of different packaging materials, e.g., in terms of speed or cost, may be compared for a particular load through simulation of wrap operations based upon dimensions of the load and a desired load containment force requirement for the load.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product monitor a wrap force during a wrap cycle to dynamically control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser to meet a desired containment force to be applied to a load. A conversion may be performed between wrap force and containment force for the monitored wrap force or a containment force parameter to facilitate the performance of a comparison between the monitored wrap force and a containment force parameter associated with the desired containment force to be applied to the load. A wrap force parameter may also be dynamically adjusted, and in some instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored wrap force, and may be used to meet a load containment force requirement for a load. In other instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored packaging material breaks to reduce the occurrence of packaging material breaks.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one guide rollers configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping element. The at least one roping element may be a cable rolling roper configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include means for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product may determine load stability for a load to be wrapped based upon sensing the response or reaction of the load to a disturbance applied to the load, e.g., through intentionally moving, shaking, tilting, pushing, impacting or otherwise applying an input force to the load and sensing the response using one or more sensors. The sensed response may then be used to determine a load stability parameter that may be used in the control of a load wrapping apparatus when wrapping the load.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product utilize a graphical interface to facilitate operator interaction with a load wrapping apparatus, particularly in connection with setting up a wrap profile. The graphical interface may incorporate a graphical depiction of a load, along with graphical depictions of both the number of layers of packaging material and the wrap force associated with a given wrap profile, with the graphical depictions of each of the number of layers of packaging material and the wrap force being capable of being dynamically updated in response to changes made by an operator to a wrap profile. The graphical depictions therefore provide a visual interface to assist an operator who may have limited expertise in setting up a load wrapping apparatus.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus and method utilize an effective circumference-based wrap speed model that dynamically controls the rate at which packaging material is dispensed based on an effective circumference of a load during relative rotation established between the load and a packaging material dispenser.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus and method utilize a corner rotation angle-based wrap control that controls the rate at which packaging material is dispensed based on the rotational position of one or more corners of the load during relative rotation established between the load and a packaging material dispenser. The locations of one or more corners on a load may be sensed or otherwise calculated, and when combined with a sensed or calculated rotational position of the load relative to a packaging material dispenser, the locations of the corners relative to the packaging material dispenser may be determined and utilized to control the dispense rate of the packaging material dispenser, e.g., by determining which corner is currently driving an effective consumption rate of the load and/or determining when to apply a controlled intervention to the load.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus and method utilize a corner geometry-based wrap control that controls the rate at which packaging material is dispensed at least in part based on the geometrical relationship between one or more corners of a load and a packaging material dispenser.

Abstract: A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.

Abstract: Control of a wrapping apparatus is facilitated by enabling an operator to input a load containment force requirement and/or a minimum number of layers of packaging material to be applied to a load, with a wrap control system automatically determining wrap force and other parameters required to meet user input requirements and/or parameters to minimize the expertise required of an operator and to provide more consistent and reliable wrapping of loads. In addition, a wrapping apparatus may be controlled to apply at least a minimum number of layers of packaging material to a load throughout a contiguous region thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a load may include a film dispenser for dispensing a film web including a film dispensing drive. The apparatus may also include a rotational drive system for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser during a wrapping cycle. The apparatus may further include a controller configured to operatively couple the film dispensing drive and the rotational drive system such that, for any portion of a revolution of the film dispenser relative to the load during the wrapping cycle, the film dispenser dispenses a selected length of the film web corresponding to the portion of the revolution.

Abstract: A method for generating data with a wrapping machine during wrapping of a load includes measuring a length of packaging material dispensed during wrapping of the load with a sensing assembly on the wrapping machine. The method further includes obtaining a value indicative of a weight of the packaging material per unit of length and determining a weight of the packaging material dispensed on the wrapped load based on the measured length and the obtained value without removing the packaging material from the load. The determined weight of the packaging material is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for determining and displaying wrapping data generated by a wrapping machine during wrapping of a load with a packaging material, e.g., to determine numbers of layers of packaging material applied to a load, a containment force applied to a load, and/or whether a load meets a predetermined minimum required containment force standard for the load.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one guide rollers configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping element. The at least one roping element may be a cable rolling roper configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include means for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping packaging material may include a packaging material holder. The packaging material holder may include a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws. The jaw opening may be configured to receive a portion of packaging material. The packaging material holder may include an inflatable structure configured to fill at least a portion of the opening. The apparatus also may include a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping.

Abstract: A turntable assembly for a stretch wrapping machine comprises a frame, a hub rotatably mounted to the frame on a shaft, a turntable mounted to the hub, and a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted to the frame defining a generally horizontal supporting plane for the turntable. Each roller has an axis of rotation generally parallel to the supporting plane and generally passing through the turntable axis of rotation. The frame is constructed so as to elastically deform, upon a load being placed upon the turntable that results in the load not being evenly supported by the rollers, to permit the roller axis of rotation to tilt relative to the horizontal supporting plane while still passing through the turntable axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of pre-stretched film based upon load girth. An amount of pre-stretched film to be dispensed for at least a portion of a relative revolution between a film dispenser and a load is determined based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum film use may be obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched film that is between approximately 100% and approximately 130% of load girth. Once the amount of film to be dispensed per relative revolution is determined, a ratio of final pre-stretch surface speed to relative revolutions (i.e., number of pre-stretch roller revolutions/relative rotation) can be set. Thus, for the at least a portion of a revolution of the rotating ring and dispenser, a predetermined amount of film is dispensed and wrapped around the load.

Abstract: A clamp assembly may include a first jaw member which may have a selectively inflatable bladder. In addition, the clamp assembly may further include a second jaw member which may have a belt. The first jaw member and the second jaw member may be configured to clamp material between the selectively inflatable bladder and the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a load between a pallet truck and a load wrapping surface may include an angled ramp surface configured to support at least a portion of the pallet truck. The apparatus may also include an angled conveyor surface extending alongside at least a portion of the angled ramp surface. The angled conveyor surface may be configured to convey the load between the load wrapping surface and the angled ramp surface.

Abstract: Packaging material may be profiled to generate an incremental containment force per revolution (ICF) attribute that is represented by a function that is variable as a function of wrap force. Moreover, the performance of different packaging materials, e.g., in terms of speed or cost, may be compared for a particular load through simulation of wrap operations based upon dimensions of the load and a desired load containment force requirement for the load.