Abstract: A method and a machine for wrapping loads of items grouped together in a bundle that may be palletized or otherwise, by means of a stretchable film put into place around the bundle and, where appropriate, a pallet, after the film has been pre-stretched and paid out from a spool or the like on which it is stored in the pre-stretched state with an elongation value of about 150% to 500% and a tension, after relaxation, lying in the range 2 to 7, and preferably in the range 2 to 3 daN/mm.sup.2 of film section per turn.

Abstract: The present invention relates mainly to a wrapping method and to apparatus for implementing the method. The invention provides a method of wrapping a palletized load, the method comprising a step of depositing one or more plastic films around the palletized load, thereby covering the palletized load and closing the inlets to the pallet, the method including a step that consists in disengaging permanent passages in the film where it obstructs the inlets of the pallet for passing the forks of handling equipment. The present invention is particularly applicable to wrapping palletized loads. A main application of the present invention lies in wrapping loads that are palletized on standard pallets.

Abstract: The present invention relates mainly to an optimized method of applying an outer wrapping to a load, in particular a palettized load, and to transporting the load as wrapped by said method.A method of the invention includes the following steps:a) determining the forces that the load must be capable of withstanding and the resulting maximum acceptable deformations;b) selecting a general outer wrapping configuration as a function of the load to be wrapped, the method of transport, of handling, and/or of storage for the load, and also the available wrapping machines; andc) determining the disposition of the film to be implemented using the minimum quantity of film to achieve wrapping having the configuration as determined in step b) and capable of withstanding without dislocation or unacceptable deformation the stresses as determined in step a).

Abstract: A method and a an apparatus for the exterior packaging of a palletized load supported by a platform (2) and by at least two lateral sliding supports (11, 12) contiguous with two longitudinal edges (7) of a lower face (3) of the deck (2) of the palletized load (1)is disclosed. The lower face (3) has two transverse sides (6) for taking up the load by means of a handling device. The method includes a preliminary step of covering the palletized load with a film (20) made of a heat-shrinkable material, followed by a step of heat-shrinking the material. According to the invention, the heat-shrinking step involves, on the one hand, shrinking a return portion (23) of the film beneath the lower faces (9) of the lateral sliding supports (11, 12) and conforming the film (20) along the transverse sides (6) in order to conform the lower edge of the film so as to be substantially level with the platform (2)with is a central region (26).

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping articles in film material includes a stationary frame supporting a vertically reciprocable frame which in turn supports a rotatable ring member carrying a film carriage assembly by which film is wrapped around an article during rotation of the ring member. The ring is in the form of an outwardly open channel and is supported for rotation relative to the reciprocable frame by wheels on the latter which underlie the upper flange of the channel. The web of the channel is captured between pairs of wheels mounted on the reciprocable frame, and a wheel of one of the pairs is driven to rotate the ring relative to the reciprocable frame. The reciprocable frame is elevated and lowered relative to the stationary frame by a chain drive arrangement, and the stationary and reciprocable frames have interengaging guide components at two diametrically opposed locations.

Abstract: Method and installation for packaging a palletizable load (20), in which the constituent elements (21) of the load (20) are positioned on the pallet in several levels or layers of palletization by a palletization member, wherein :a sheet (9) of a material having non-slip properties is inserted between each level of palletization; andthe peripheral strapping of the load is carried out by a microcreped stretchable paper tape.

Abstract: A method for unwinding packaging film is provided for a carriage which includes a stand, a supporting shaft for a film reel and a roller device, and the carriage is intended to be incorporated in a packaging machine for wrapping loads. Plastic film is removed from a roll and is longitudinally stretched between two rollers, has its width reduced and longitudinal creases put into it, and is associated with the load to be wrapped. Between the stretching rollers and end film unwinding roller, the film passes through a slit of a creasing member which reduces the width of the film by forming longitudinally extending creases along its width. The overall width reduction of the film is controlled by controlling the longitudinal angle of the slit relative to the axis of the stretch and unwinding rollers.

Abstract: A palletized load banding machine of the fixed-table and pivoting-axis reel of film type is provided with a set of mechanisms for i) transversely cutting the band of film when activated at the end of load banding, ii) securing, temporarily, the first end part of the band of film originating from the film reel when activated at the beginning of the banding operation, and iii) combining the last end part of the band of film with the banded load when activated at the end of the banding operation. This set of mechanisms is supported by an elevating platform placed beneath the mechanisms and between the mechanisms and the level of the fixed support table to always permit the mechanism to slide vertically in a free, unrestricted space thus preventing any risk of the film interfering with the support table or conveyors for supplying and removing the palletized load during banding of the load.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for seaming and cutting off a wrapping film wrapped about a product, a wrapping film holder moves the wrapping film against the film already wrapped about the product. Then, hot air from within the film holder is blown against the wrapping film for seaming and cutting off the film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strip having a longitudinal reinforcement; a packaging method comprising such a strip; an installation and a machine for implementing the packaging method and a device for the production of such a strip. This flexible strip (1), which is more specifically applicable to the construction of packaging, constituted more specifically by a plastic film, of the integrally produced type, wherein it possesses at least one longitudinal zone of reinforcement (2) constituted, at least in part, by N longitudinal zones of folding (3a, 3b, 3N) of the strip (1), adjacent to one another, overlapping one another at least substantially flatly, at least in part, in a single longitudinal region of the strip (1), N being a positive integer at least equal to two.

Abstract: A process for wrapping a load with prestretched film comprising unwinding and prestretching the film before applying the film to the load, passing the load through a curtain of film and cutting the film behind the load while forming the curtain and wherein said prestretching step includes positioning the prestretching means in a standby position in front of the load wherein said means are positioned close together while initially prestretching the curtain, moving the prestretching means apart transversely in association with the required delivery of the prestretched film until such means are in a spaced apart position near the side surfaces of the load, prestretching the film to cover the side surfaces of the load, prestretching the film to cover the rear surface of the load, and then moving the prestretching means toward one another transversely behind the load until they are close together in association with the necessary delivery of prestretched film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the continuous stretching of a plastics material film, of the type where the film is run off in engagement with two successive rollers which are driven at different tangential speeds, the second roller having a tangential speed which is greater than that of the first roller. The film is run off in engagement with at least a third roller, arranged downstream of the second roller and driven at a tangential speed which is greater than that of the second roller, and it is possible to select as required those of the three rollers in engagement with the film.