Abstract: A wrapping machine stretch head comprises a pair of tension rollers having first ends mounted upon a base plate and second ends mounted within separate and independent brackets such that the second ends of the tension rollers are not connected to each other and define an axially open space therebetween. In this manner, when wrapping film is to be threaded or routed between and around the tension rollers, the wrapping film is able to be inserted into the axially open space in an axially oriented mode. The rotary drive system for the tension rollers is also mounted upon the base plate and not within an upper frame member as is characteristic of conventional wrapping machine stretch heads.

Abstract: A novel method and system for wrapping a bale supported on a platform in a wrapping position with a bale wrapping apparatus including a rotating arm positioned above the bale, a downright member extending downwardly from an outward end portion of the rotating arm, and a wrap carriage movable up and down the downright, wherein the downright and the wrap carriage orbit the bale in the wrapping position as the rotating arm rotates to apply a film or wrap material about the bale. A bale stabilizer, positioned above the bale in the wrapping position, with a plate extendable into contact the bale stabilizes the bale during application of the wrap about the bale. An upender with laterally movable arms and pivoting paddles is positionable to engage and disengage the bale. The upender is movable to raise and lower the clamped bale from and back to the platform, and the paddles are pivotable to rotate the raised bale. The upender includes a carriage movable up and down relative to a base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a load to and from a load supporting platform having a first end pivotally coupled at a first end of a main frame having a support surface for supporting the platform in a substantially level position. The platform is pivotally raisable, from the support surface of the main frame to a raised position for discharging and accepting a load, either manually or by an actuatable member. A damping member interconnects the platform and the main frame wherein the damping member progressively increases resistance on the load bearing platform as the platform moves from the raised position toward the support surface of the main frame to reduce any impact on the load. The platform includes a lower frame and a cover biased away from the lower frame by a plurality of spring members wherein the cover is movable toward the lower frame by a load disposed on a support surface of the cover to actuate a load sensor, which indicates the presence of the load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a constant tension to a film in a wrapping machine having a film roller rotated at a variable rate by a film drawn over the film roller. The rotating film roller drives a hydraulic pump at a variable rate dependent on the rotation rate of the film roller. An oil reservoir is coupled to the hydraulic pump to form a hydraulic circuit, wherein the hydraulic pump pumps oil through the hydraulic circuit as the film roller drives the hydraulic pump. An adjustable constant pressure valve is coupled to the hydraulic circuit and maintains a constant oil pressure in the hydraulic circuit, wherein the hydraulic pump maintains a constant drag on the film roller independent of the rate at which the film roller drives the hydraulic pump, and wherein the constant drag on the film roller applies a constant tension to the film independent of the rate at which the film is drawn over the film roller.

Abstract: A strip of stretch-wrap material having flat, double thickness hems at opposite margins thereof is disclosed. The hemmed strip is formed on apparatus including a first roller having a width less than the width of stock material fed into the machine, whereby opposite margins of the stock material project beyond opposite ends of the roller, and a second roller for guiding the strip at an acute angle from the first roller for causing the opposite marginal portions to fold. The strip is maintained under tension by a take-up roller or other means, and guide bars are provided for further folding the marginal portions beyond 90.degree. angles so that they continue to be folded inwardly against the main body of the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus and a related method are disclosed for cutting a sheet from flexible film wound on a roll and for placing the sheet on a pallet or on a layer of one or more boxes on the pallet. The roll is mounted so that it is rotatable about an axis parallel to one end of the pallet. A leading end of the film is gripped. The gripped end is pulled away from the roll. As the roll is thus rotated, a portion of the film is unwound from the roll. Also, at least a substantial part of the unwound portion is extended over the pallet or over a layer of boxes on the pallet. The unwound portion at a position is clamped between the pallet and the roll. The clamped portion is cut so as to cut a sheet having a predetermined length from the remaining film. The gripped end is released after the sheet has been cut therefrom so as to permit the sheet to drop onto the pallet or onto a layer of one or more boxes or other articles on the pallet. The gripped end may be lowered toward the pallet before the gripped end is released.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for wrapping a load conforming generally to a rectangular solid, such as a cotton bale. Lengths of wrapping film from two rolls are welded to form a predraped wall of such film, into which the load is conveyed to cover its front face and its lateral faces, whereupon the welded lengths are welded again behind the bale and are severed from such rolls. As the load is conveyed, a length of wrapping film from a third roll is wrapped in a spiral pattern so as to cover the upper, lower, and lateral faces of the load. Moreover, generally V-shaped perforations pointing toward the front face are formed in the lateral faces, by means of perforating mechanisms. Each mechanism comprises a pivotal arm biased toward the load, a wheel rotatable on the arm, and perforating cutters extending radially from the wheel, in two circumferential arrays.

Abstract: In a wrapping machine comprising a ring rotatable on a frame, a ledge to support a package being wrapped, and a carriage supporting a roll of plastic film and movable with the ring to wrap the film around the ledge and around a package supported thereby, a severing arm, pivotable between a horizontal position underlying the ledge and a vertical position, carries a heated severing wire. Also, a spacing arm, pivotably movable between a horizontal position underlying the ledge and a vertical position, spaces an outer film layer from the ledge. In one embodiment, the severing arm carries heated welding elements, and the spacing arm applies a partial vacuum to cause a severed film portion to adhere to the spacing arm. In another embodiment, the severed film portion is clamped between the spacing and severing arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting stretch film or other wrapping film comprises a fixed blade and having a sharpened edge, and a pivotable anvil having a blunt edge, and a camming edge which has a concave portion and a further portion. The anvil is pivotable between an opened position relative to the blade and a closed position relative thereto. A camming roller engages the camming edge. A pneumatically powered piston-cylinder mechanism is operative for advancing the camming roller from a retracted position, through an intermediate position, to an advanced position and for retracting the camming roller in the opposite direction so as to pivot the anvil to the opened position when the camming roller is retracted to the retracted position, so as to pivot the anvil to the closed position when the camming roller is advanced to the intermediate position, and so as to press the anvil in the closed position when the camming roller is advanced from the intermediate position to the advanced position.

Abstract: An endcap for simultaneously dispensing and hemming film from a roll while an operator is wrapping a load. An endcap is inserted into each end of a roll of film and an operator manually dispenses the film. The endcap includes an insert, a base, and a flange that hems the film. The flange is angled outwardly from the base of the endcap and overlaps an end portion of the roll so that when the film is dispensed, the edges of the film are hemmed.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping a pallet load with a wrapping film applied selectively as a film rope or as a film sheet. The load is supported in an elevated position. A rotary arm supported above the load is arranged to be rotatably driven. An upright member depending from the rotary arm is spaced outwardly from the load in any rotary arm position. A carriage is arranged to be upwardly and downwardly driven along such member. A dispenser on the carriage dispenses the wrapper as a rope or as a sheet. A guide, which comprises a lever and a hook on the lever, is moveable among extended, partly retracted, and fully retracted positions. In the extended position, the guide guides the rope across the respective corners of the load. In the partly retracted position, the guide does not interfere with driving the carriage along the upright member.

Abstract: A heat seal assembly and method for securing stretch-film wrapped about a package, which assembly grasps and aligns two strips of roped film wraps, heats adjacent faces of the roped film sections and thereafter compresses these heated faces to weld them to each other and secure the film wrap about the package.

Abstract: A system for measuring weight of objects using a single load cell means which comprises a pair of structural means having at least four sides and four corners, with pairs of opposed sides being substantially equal in length, a tensioned member positioned at each of said four corners of the structural means and load cell means extending therebetween an generally centrally thereof which is maintained under a predetermined compressive force applied by the structural means.