Abstract: A portable plastic film wrapping system comprises a push-cart having a vertical mast member mounted thereon, and a film roll carriage is vertically movable along the mast member. The film roll carriage is operatively connected to negator spring members by a film roll carriage lift cable, and a holding pawl mechanism is adapted to be movable between ENGAGED and DISENGAGED positions with respect to the film roll carriage lift cable. When the holding pawl mechanism is moved to its DISENGAGED position, the negator spring members cause the film roll carriage to be vertically elevated, whereas when the holding pawl mechanism is disposed at its ENGAGED position, movement of the film roll carriage lift cable, and the film roll carriage, is effectively prevented. The film roll carriage can also be controllably moved in both upward and downward directions so as to achieve bottom-to-top, as well as top-to-bottom, wrapping modes of operation upon palletized loads.

Abstract: A portable plastic film wrapping system comprises a push-cart having a vertical mast member mounted thereon. A film roll carriage is vertically movable along the mast member, and the film roll carriage is operatively connected to a counterweight which is movably disposed within the mast member. The mast member is provided with a plurality of apertures, and a releasable stop pin is engageable within a particular one of the mast member apertures so as to lockingly retain the film roll carriage at a particular elevation when concentric reinforcing wrapping of an article is desired, and is disengageable from the apertures so as to permit the film roll carriage to continuously elevate for spiral wrapping of the article.

Abstract: A portable plastic film wrapping system comprises a push-cart having a vertical mast member mounted thereon. A film roll carriage is vertically movable along the mast member, and the film roll carriage is operatively connected to a counterweight which is movably disposed within the mast member. The mast member is provided with a plurality of apertures, and a releasable stop pin is engageable within a particular one of the mast member apertures so as to lockingly retain the film roll carriage at a particular elevation when concentric reinforcing wrapping of an article is desired, and is disengageable from the apertures so as to permit the film roll carriage to continuously elevate for spiral wrapping of the article.

Abstract: A film delivery system for use with plastic film wrapping apparatus for wrapping prestretched plastic film around a palletized load or article disposed at a wrapping station comprises a brake hub or pulley upon which a roll of plastic film material is mounted, and a single dancer or idler roller mounted for linear reciprocating movement upon a mounting plate and around which the plastic film material is routed from the roll of plastic film material to the load or article being wrapped. A brake band is disposed around the outer peripheral surface of the brake hub, and one end of the brake band is connected to a brake arm, while the other end of the brake band is connected to a brake adjustment spring. The brake arm is also connected to the single dancer or idler roller such that depending upon the linear disposition of the single dancer or idler roller during a plastic film wrapping operation, different braking or tension forces are impressed upon the brake hub and the plastic wrapping film material.

Abstract: A portable film wrapping system comprises a push-cart having a vertical mast member and a film roll carriage movably mounted upon the vertical mast member. A lift cable connects the film roll carriage to a lift cable drum which is rotatably connected to a lift sprocket through a clutch mechanism, wherein the lift sprocket is rotatably connected to a drive wheel engaged with a floor surface over which the portable system is movable. When the clutch mechanism operatively connects the lift cable drum to the lift sprocket, the lift cable drum is rotated so as to wind the lift cable thereon and thereby continuously elevate the film roll carriage whereby spiral wrapping is achieved. When the clutch mechanism disconnects the lift cable drum from the lift sprocket, the lift cable is no longer wound upon the lift cable drum whereby the film roll carriage is maintained at a particular elevation so as to achieve concentric reinforcing wrapping.

Abstract: A portable film wrapping system comprises a push-cart having a vertical mast member and a film roll carriage movably mounted upon the vertical mast member. A lift cable connects the film roll carriage to a lift cable drum which is rotatably connected to a lift sprocket through a clutch mechanism, wherein the lift sprocket is rotatably connected to a drive wheel engaged with a floor surface over which the portable system is movable. When the clutch mechanism operatively connects the lift cable drum to the lift sprocket, the lift cable drum is rotated so as to wind the lift cable thereon and thereby continuously elevate the film roll carriage whereby spiral wrapping is achieved. When the clutch mechanism disconnects the lift cable drum from the lift sprocket, the lift cable is no longer wound upon the lift cable drum whereby the film roll carriage is maintained at a particular elevation so as to achieve concentric reinforcing wrapping.

Abstract: In a stretch film wrapping system for wrapping stretch film around a load disposed at a wrapping station, a single motor drive system is provided for controlling both the rotation of a rotational or orbiting boom member with respect to a static boom member and for controlling the elevation of a stretch film roll carriage assembly movably mounted upon a wrapping mast fixedly connected to the rotational or orbiting boom member.

Abstract: A film delivery system for use with plastic film wrapping apparatus for wrapping prestretched plastic film around a palletized load or article disposed at a wrapping station comprises a brake hub or pulley upon which a roll of plastic film material is mounted, and a single dancer or idler roller mounted for linear reciprocating movement upon a mounting plate and around which the plastic film material is routed from the roll of plastic film material to the load or article being wrapped. A brake band is disposed around the outer peripheral surface of the brake hub, and one end of the brake band is connected to a brake arm, while the other end of the brake band is connected to a brake adjustment spring. The brake arm is also connected to the single dancer or idler roller such that depending upon the linear disposition of the single dancer or idler roller during a plastic film wrapping operation, different braking or tension forces are impressed upon the brake hub and the plastic wrapping film material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manually applying stretch film to palletized loads or products comprises a vertically upstanding mast member, a horizontally extending static boom member connected to the mast member, a horizontally extending orbiting boom member rotatably connected to the static boom member, and a vertically extending downright member connected to the orbiting boom member. A carriage assembly carrying a roll of stretch film is movably mounted upon the downright member in a counterbalanced manner, and an operator handle is fixed upon the carriage assembly so as to enable an operator to manually push the carriage assembly, the downright member, and the orbiting boom member in a circular locus around a wrapping station at which a palletized load or product is disposed for wrapping.

Abstract: A stretch film applicator and method therefor for manually wrapping stretch film supplied from a stretch film roll having a core. The stretch film applicator includes a substantially U-shaped handle member interconnecting a first core cap and a second core cap wherein the first core cap is disposeable over a first end of the core and the second core cap is disposeable over a second end of the core. An adjustably pre-loadable spring member is disposed between the first core cap and the first end portion of the handle member so as to bias the first core cap toward the second core cap and thereby rotatably retain the stretch film roll therebetween and frictionally drag the core as stretch film is supplied therefrom. A body member is coupled to the first end portion of the handle member and includes a through hole for reciprocatably receiving a post coupled to the first core cap, wherein the spring member is disposed between the body member and the first core cap.

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: An apparatus is useful for wrapping a wrapping film over an elongate load, which has a generally cylindrical exterior and two generally circular or generally annular ends. Two blocker rollers cradle the load with its axis extending horizontally and are arranged for rotating the load about the load axis. A dispenser mounts a roll of the wrapping film with its axis extending vertically. The dispenser is mounted on a rotatable arm, which is rotatable about a vertical axis. A carriage is provided for mounting the dispenser and for carrying the dispenser and the roll back and forth along the cradled load. Thus, the roll is moved along an oblong path, whereby the film pulled from the roll is wrapped over the near side of the load, one end of the load, the far side of the load, and the other end of the load, as the load is rotated. The roll remains at an elevation above a central portion of the load so as to permit the central portion to remain unwrapped.

Abstract: For tying a compressed bale tending to expand primarily along a major axis, a bale tie made preferably from steel wire or alternatively from steel strap is bent to form two marcelled portions, which are characterized by sinusoidal undulations, which are oriented so as to be generally parallel to the major axis, and along which the tie can straighten to absorb tensile forces. A joint is formed at the opposite ends of the tie. Where bent to form the marcelled portions, the tie has an ultimate strength less than the ultimate strength of an undeformed portion of the tie but more than the ultimate strength of the joint. An apparatus for forming a wire with a marcelled portion comprises upper rolls and lower rolls, which are rotatably mounted and respectively on an upper block and a lower block. The upper block is pivotally mounted upon to the lower block.

Abstract: For tying a compressed bale tending to expand primarily along a major axis, a bale tie made preferably from steel wire or alternatively from steel strap is bent to form two marcelled portions, which are characterized by sinusoidal undulations, which are oriented so as to be generally parallel to the major axis, and along which the tie can straighten to absorb tensile forces. A joint is formed at the opposite ends of the tie. Where bent to form the marcelled portions, the tie has an ultimate strength less than the ultimate strength of an undeformed portion of the tie but more than the ultimate strength of the joint. An apparatus for forming a wire with a marcelled portion comprises upper rolls and lower rolls, which are rotatably mounted and respectively on an upper block and a lower block. The upper block is pivotally mounted upon the lower block.

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: For tying a compressed bale tending to expand primarily along a major axis, a bale tie made preferably from steel wire or alternatively from steel strap is bent to form two marcelled portions, which are characterized by sinusoidal undulations, which are oriented so as to be generally parallel to the major axis, and along which the tie can straighten to absorb tensile forces. A joint is formed at the opposite ends of the tie. Where bent to form the marcelled portions, the tie has an ultimate strength less than the ultimate strength of an undeformed portion of the tie but more than the ultimate strength of the joint. An apparatus for forming a wire with a marcelled portion comprises upper rolls and lower rolls, which are rotatably mounted and respectively on an upper block and a lower block. The upper block is pivotably mounted upon to the lower block.

Abstract: A strap chute is provided for an automatic strapping machine and comprises a plurality of sections adapted to be assembled together with the machine to form a loop-like strap guide path around an article to be strapped. Each section comprises a mounting frame having a pair of opposed fulcrum members, a pair of strap guides each having at least an outer retaining wall for guiding and retaining the strap when the strap guides are located in a closed position, and a biasing means for biasing the strap guides into the closed position. Each strap guide includes a lever member disposed adjacent one of the fulcrum members of the frame to accommodate pivoting movement of the strap guide between the closed position and an open position. The biasing means is disposed between the lever members of the strap guides for biasing each strap guide lever member against one of the fulcrum members and for pivoting the lever members so as to normally maintain the strap guides in the closed position.

Abstract: A strap seal joint and method for applying a seal to the overlapping ends of a strap about a bale of resilient material are disclosed. The bale is initially restrained against expansion in a press. The strap is provided with two oppositely facing major side surfaces having predetermined frictional characteristics. The strap is looped around the bale to overlap inner and outer and end portions of the strap. The seal is applied to the overlapping end portions of the strap. The seal and one of the strap end portions are in an interlocking engagement sufficient to prevent withdrawal of the strap end portion from the closed seal.

Abstract: A strap seal joint and method for applying a seal to the overlapping ends of a strap about a bale of resilient material are disclosed. The bale is preferably initially restrained against expansion in a press. The strap is provided with two oppositely facing major side surfaces having predetermined frictional characteristics. The strap is looped around the bale with a predetermined length of an inner end portion of the strap adjacent the bale extending at least partially around a corner of the bale and being overlapped by an outer end portion of the strap. The seal is applied to the overlapping end portions of the strap and deformed to crimp the seal against the outer end portion sufficiently to prevent withdrawal of the strap outer end portion from the closed seal.