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 drive down roller configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping mechanism. The at least one roping mechanism may be a cable rolling element 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: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined substantially constant length of pre-stretched packaging material based upon load girth. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched packaging material to be dispensed for each revolution of relative rotation between a packaging material dispenser and the load is determined. A rotational drive system used to provide the relative rotation is linked to a pre-stretch assembly portion of the packaging material dispenser. The linkage may be mechanical or electrical. The linkage controls a ratio of the rotational speed to the pre-stretch assembly dispensing speed, such that the predetermined substantially constant length of pre-stretched packaging material is dispensed for each revolution of the packaging material dispenser relative to the load regardless of the speed of the rotational drive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined fixed amount of pre-stretched packaging material based upon load girth. A non-rotating ring carries a belt driven by a motor. A packaging material dispenser is mounted on a rotating ring, and the rotating ring may include a pulley that connects to the band, such that the rotating ring is driven by the drive belt. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched packaging material to be dispensed for each revolution made by the rotating ring is determined. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum packaging material use is obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched packaging material that is between approximately 90% and approximately 120% of load girth. Once the amount of packaging material to be dispensed per revolution is determined, a ratio of rotating ring drive to final pre-stretch surface speed (i.e.

Abstract: A film dispenser for a stretch wrapping apparatus is provided. The film dispenser includes a pre-stretch assembly having a top portion mounted to and extending downwardly from a drive plate of a roll carriage frame. The pre-stretch assembly includes two pre-stretch rollers having first ends connected to the roll carriage frame and second ends connected to one another. The pre-stretch rollers may be coated. The pre-stretch assembly further includes a cantilevered idle roller mounted to the drive plate and positioned between the pre-stretch rollers. A film path is defined by the space between the pre-stretch rollers and the idle roller. The film path is easily accessible via the bottom end of the pre-stretch assembly.