Abstract: A gantry film wrapping system and method useable for wrapping film about an elongated load. The system includes an overhead frame with first and second lateral support members for supporting opposing end portions of a carriage, which is reciprocatably translatable back and forth along the first and second lateral support members. A film wrapping apparatus having a rotary arm is coupled to the carriage, and a film wrapping carriage is coupled to a dependent member extending from an end portion of the rotary arm. The rotary arm and film wrapping carriage are rotatable in approximately 180 degree rotational increments between and during back and forth translations of the carriage along the first and second lateral support members of the overhead frame, wherein the film wrapping carriage is orbital in a substantially oval orbit about an elongated load disposed below the overhead frame.

Abstract: A support beam structure for use within an overhead rotating type stretch film wrapping machine comprises a main body portion which has a first end which is adapted to be fixedly mounted upon a mounting plate which, in turn, is adapted to be fixedly mounted upon an upstanding fixed support, such as, for example, an I-beam, and a second opposite end which is adapted to support a rotating arm of the overhead rotating type stretch film wrapping machine. The main body portion has a substantially vertically elongated octagonal cross-sectional configuration and comprises a bottom wall, lower lateral divergently angled side members, vertically extending side members, and upper lateral convergently angled side members. The upper lateral side members define tension members for supporting the rotating arm end of the main body portion, and the noted bottom wall and side members of the main body portion are integrally formed together as folded portions of a sheet metal blank.

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 system and method for controlling vibration of an axially rotatable mandrel useable for winding sheet material including stretch film thereabout. The system includes first, second and third roller members rotatably contactable with the mandrel and sheet material wound thereabout. The roller members are arranged about the mandrel axis so that the mandrel and any sheet material wound about the mandrel is supportably captured between the roller members to prevent or at least substantially reduce vibration of the rotatable mandrel. At least the first and second roller members are biasable toward the mandrel with pneumatic pressure from corresponding air over oil cylinders, and the first and second roller members are movable away from the mandrel against hydraulic resistance from the corresponding air over oil cylinders to accommodate sheet material wound increasingly about the mandrel.

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: 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 past 90.degree. angles so that they continue to be folded inwardly against the main body of the strip.

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: A package-conveying apparatus, which is useful with a wrapping-machine of a type capable of wrapping a package with stretch film from a roll moving in an annular path, comprises an elongate table with two front ledges, a pair of endless belts for conveying a package toward the ledges, and a pair of package pushers. Each pusher includes a leg with a pivotable foot, a double-acting piston-cylinder mechanism for driving the leg frontwardly and backwardly, and a double-acting piston-cylinder mechanism for pivoting the foot upwardly into an operative position and downwardly into an inoperative position. In the operative position, the foot can engage a package to enable the leg when driven frontwardly to push the package from the endless belts onto and from the ledges. In the inoperative position, the foot clears a package on the endless belts when the leg is driven backwardly.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing corner protectors having elongate panels meeting at right angles onto vertical corners of pallet loads having vertical sides defining vertical corner comprises a magazine to hold a supply of the corner protectors and mechanisms for removing one corner protector from the magazine, transferring the corner protector to a position where one of its panels is disposed in close proximity to a vertical side of such a load, and displacing the corner protector until its other panel engages another side at the same corner of the load. In the magazine, the corner protectors extend vertically and are nested within one another. Also, the corner protectors are guided forwardly along a supporting chute. A wheeled carriage having an upright member is mounted operatively in the chute and prevents the corner protectors from tipping backwards.