Abstract: A vacuum storage device includes a can, a cap for closing the can, an inflatable seal for better sealing a gap between the can and the cap and a pump for pumping air from the can to the exterior and into the seal. The cap includes a collar and a disk formed on an internal face of the collar, thus defining an upper space in the collar above the disk for receiving the pump and a lower space in the collar under the disk for receiving the seal. The cap may include an annular rib formed on a lower side of the disk, and the seal may be installed between the collar and the annular rib. The annular rib may include an annular flange for retaining the seal in position. The pump may include a first duct and a second duct. The first duct extends through an orifice defined in the disk within the annular rib so that air can be pumped from the can through the duct when the cap is mounted on the can.

Abstract: Groups of products are wrapped in heat-shrinkable film by equipment comprising a first surface along which products advance in a conveying direction, and a second surface on which the products are ordered into groups and wrapped in a sheet of film cut to a length suitable for the size of the group of products being wrapped and supplied by a feed unit positioned beneath and in close proximity to a slot separating the first surface from the second surface.

Abstract: A sleeve-type packaging machine system comprises: first (10) second (20) and third (30) article conveyor means, piece wrapping means (40), piece conveyor means (50) with a conveyor belt (51), a first modular unit (T100-G100) for forming and feeding pieces (S1) of packaging material, and a second modular unit (T200-G200) for forming and feeding pieces (S2) of packaging material. -The said two modular units (T100-G100; T200-G200) can assume at least two transverse positions, namely a first position in which the modular unit (T100-G100; T200-G200) is positioned at least transversely at the side of the packaging machine, and a second position, in which the modular unit (T100-G100; T200-G200) is positioned under the packaging machine.

Abstract: A wrapping machine includes a first wrapping station for applying a strip of wrapping around a bale to partially wrap the bale in wrapping material, a second wrapping station for applying a strip of wrapping material around the bale to completely wrap the bale in wrapping material, and a transfer device for transferring the partially wrapped bale from the first wrapping station to the second wrapping station. This transfer device is swingable through approximately 90° from the first wrapping station to the second wrapping station. The first wrapping station includes a dispenser for dispensing a strip of plastic film and a device for rotating the dispenser about a substantially vertical axis around the bale. The second wrapping station includes a device for rotating the bale about a substantially horizontal axis and a dispenser for dispensing wrapping material around the bale as it is turned on the horizontal axis. A compaction station is provided to compact loose material into the bale before wrapping.

Abstract: A depression container comprises a vessel including a compartment and a cover for enclosing and thus sealing the compartment. An air pump draws air out of the compartment and a pressure-activated switch controls on/off of the air pump. The pressure-activated switch detects an internal pressure in the compartment. The air pump is turned on when the internal pressure is higher than a predetermined first pressure value. The air pump is turned off when the internal pressure is lower than a predetermined second pressure value. In an alternative embodiment, the pressure-activated switch detects a pressure difference resulting from a closing motion of the cover on the vessel and turns the air pump on to thereby draw air out of the compartment of the vessel. The air pump is turned off when an internal pressure in the compartment detected by the pressure-activated switch is lower than a predetermined pressure value.

Abstract: A cigarette packing machine wherein an output wheel advances a number of gripping heads, each for receiving, at an input station, a respective packet with its longitudinal axis crosswise to the travelling direction of the gripping heads, and with outer longitudinal tabs open, detached from respective inner longitudinal tabs, and supported on respective folding wings carried by the relative gripping head; the output wheel feeds the packet through a gumming station, where gum is applied between each outer longitudinal tab and the relative inner longitudinal tab, and moves the relative folding wings to fold each outer longitudinal tab into a closed position contacting the relative inner longitudinal tab before the closed packet is fed to an output station (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A coin wrapping machine includes a rotatable disk for feeding coins toward a coin passage by centrifugal force produced by the rotation thereof, a disk motor for rotating the rotatable disk, a transporting belt for transporting the coins along the coin passage, a belt motor for driving the transporting belt, a coin stacker, a coin wrapping device having a plurality of wrapping rollers, a wrapping roller motor for driving the wrapping rollers, a pair of crimp claws, a crimp claw motor for moving the pair of crimp claws, and a driving speed controller for controlling the disk motor, the belt motor, the wrapping roller motor and the crimp claw motor based on the denomination of the predetermined coins. According to this coin wrapping machine, it is possible to stack and wrap coins having different shapes, diameters, thickness and the like efficiently and as desired.

Abstract: A method for packaging objects by the use of heat-shrink material, in which there is wrapped in the manner of a sleeve around the objects, a sheet of heat-shrink material, heated to a temperature which is at least equivalent to the “defrosting” temperature of the material, a front portion and a rear portion of the sheet being disposed overlapping one another, in which the two portions are welded to one another, and in which the object-sheet assembly obtained is allowed to cool until the sheet shrinks onto the object.

Abstract: A depression container includes a vessel including a compartment and a cover for enclosing and thus sealing the compartment. An air pump draws air out of the compartment and a pressure-activated switch controls on/off of the air pump. The pressure-activated switch detects an internal pressure in the compartment. The air pump is turned on when the internal pressure is higher than a predetermined first pressure value. The air pump is turned off when the internal pressure is lower than a predetermined second pressure value. In an alternative embodiments, the pressure-activated switch detects a pressure difference resulting from a closing motion of the cover on the vessel and turns the air pump on to thereby draw air out of the compartment of the vessel. The air pump is turned off when an internal pressure in the compartment detected by the pressure-activated switch is lower than a predetermined pressure value.

Abstract: A non-powered packaging material transporting surface for use in combination with a load support surface of a wrapping apparatus for wrapping a top and bottom of a load is provided. The non-powered packaging material transporting surface includes non-driven rollers aligned in an inline configuration, and a packaging material support guard adjacent to the non-driven rollers. The packaging material support guard bridges gaps between the inline rollers, thereby preventing capture of packaging material between the non-driven rollers. The non-driven rollers rotate as packaging material, wrapped around a load on a top surface of the load support surface and around the non-powered packaging material transporting surface on the underside surface of the load support surface, is moved along the transporting surface.

Abstract: A wrapping machine includes a first wrapping station for applying a strip of wrapping around a bale to partially wrap the bale in wrapping material, a second wrapping station for applying a strip of wrapping material around the bale to completely wrap the bale in wrapping material, and a transfer device for transferring the partially wrapped bale from the first wrapping station to the second wrapping station. The transfer device is swingable through approximately 90° from the first wrapping station to the second wrapping station. The first wrapping station includes a dispenser for dispensing a strip of plastic film and a device for rotating the dispenser about a substantially vertical axis around the bale. The second wrapping station includes a device for rotating the bale about a substantially horizontal axis and a dispenser for dispensing wrapping material around the bale as it is turned on the horizontal axis. A compaction station is provided to compact loose material into the bale before wrapping.

Abstract: A leading end of packaging material is attached to a retainer to hold the leading end of the packaging material as the retainer moves toward the load. The retainer is positioned adjacent the load and packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material is released from the retainer in response to force applied to the retainer to withdraw it from the wrapped load.

Abstract: A non-powered packaging material transporting surface for use in combination with a load support surface of a wrapping apparatus for wrapping a top and bottom of a load is provided. The non-powered packaging material transporting surface includes non-driven rollers aligned in an inline configuration, and a packaging material support guard adjacent to the non-driven rollers. The packaging material support guard bridges gaps between the inline rollers, thereby preventing capture of packaging material between the non-driven rollers. The non-driven rollers rotate as packaging material, wrapped around a load on a top surface of the load support surface and around the non-powered packaging material transporting surface on the underside surface of the load support surface, is moved along the transporting surface.

Abstract: Wrapping apparatus for winding a web of wrapping foil (F) around an object (1). The wrapping apparatus comprises a ring guideway (2) defining a track of variable curvature and foil dispenser (6). The foil dispenser is provided with idler assemblies (10, 11) supporting the foil dispenser as it moves along the ring guideway. In the idler assembly, an inner idler (12) mounted with bearings on the foil dispenser frame (7) leans by its circumference on an inner rolling surface (3) of the guideway (2). A first outer idler (3) leans by its circumference on an outer rolling surface (4). A lateral idler (14) leans on a lateral rolling surface (5). The idler assembly comprises a second outer idler (15), which leans on the outer rolling surface (4) at a distance from the first outer idler (13). A pivoted frame (16) is mounted with bearings on the frame so that it can turn about a swing axis co-incident with the axis of rotation of the inner idler (12).

Abstract: A method for packaging of objects (50), by means of pieces (32a) of sheet material, obtained from a continuous strip (32), comprises translation, with continual motion, of the objects (5) in individual succession, from upstream towards downstream, on three conveyors (1, 2, 3), and, for each object (50), during the wrapping operations, the transverse wrapping bar (14) is stopped during its path of longitudinal advance downstream, in a specific position, which is further forwards than the rear end of the object (50), and simultaneously, the means (25) of supply of a continuous strip (32) of packaging material are stopped, in order then to actuate cutting means (21), which cut off a piece (32a) from the said continuous strip (32) which is rendered stationary, and, when the cutting off has taken place, the advance of the wrapping bar (14) is resumed, and the packaging of the object (50) itself is completed. A machine for implementation of the said method.

Abstract: A composite ring member comprises an annular ring member and an annular reinforcing ring member welded to the external peripheral portion of the annular ring member. The annular ring member comprises a tubular stock member, having a substantially rectangular or square-shaped cross-sectional configuration, which is bent into the form of the annular ring member and the free end portions thereof are welded together. In this manner, excessive waste of material in forming conventional ring members, wherein such conventional ring members are cut out from square plates, is eliminated. Segmentally-configured gusset plate members are welded to diametrically opposite internal peripheral portions of the annular ring member so as to respectively support a film roll carriage and dispensing assembly and a counterbalancing mechanism.

Abstract: A bale rotator is provided in a bale wrapping machine which wrape multiples end to end in a row. when the bale wrapping machine is used to wrap bales individually, the bale rotator is used to rotate a bale so that the bale is wrapped with plastic strip in at least two different angles. Thus, the bale wrapping device is capable of wrapping bales individually or wrapping bales end to end in a row.

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 stretch wrapping machine includes a packaging material dispenser for dispensing packaging material and a segmented wrapping frame for supporting the packaging material dispenser. The frame includes segments of track which are assembled to one another to form a track for the packaging material dispenser so the packaging material dispenser can revolve around the load while rolling on coaxial wheel pairs. A motor drives the packaging dispenser around the load to wrap packaging material around the load.

Abstract: A device for coating film passing through a continuous film dispensing head on a coil wrapping machine with a liquid formulation, such as a vapour phase corrosion inhibitor, is described. The formulation is delivered from a reservoir to an applicator bar which is urged into contact with the passing film. Flow of formulation can be established or interrupted while the film is enshrouding the coil.

Abstract: An automatic package wrapping machine wraps a box of arbitrary size. The box is placed in the machine following which all operations are automatic. As the box is automatically advanced to a ready-to-wrap position, its length, width and height are automatically measured. Paper is withdrawn from a roll supply and automatically cut to a size calculated to wrap the box. The paper is automatically applied to wrap four sides of the box without causing the box to tilt or tumble. The ends are then automatically processed by folding and sealing of flaps, whereupon a neatly wrapped box is ejected from the machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus (10) for wrapping of an article. The apparatus comprises backing means (20) adapted to be moved against the first and second ends of the article and simultaneously to dispose a wrapper material against said ends. After said wrapper material is disposed against the first end the article is moved relative to the wrapping station and a web-like wrapper material roll (13) thereof such that wrapper material emerges simultaneously from the roll on the top of the article. First folding means (26) are arranged to fold the portions of the wrapper material extending over the width of the first end of the article against the sides. As the second end of the article reaches the backing means (20), said second end is correspondingly engaged with a second surface (21) of the backing means such that the wrapper material becomes disposed between said surface and said second end.

Abstract: An automatic package wrapping machine wraps a box of arbitrary size. The box is placed in the machine following which all operations are automatic. As the box is automatically advanced to a ready-to-wrap position, its length, width and height are automatically measured. Paper is withdrawn from a roll supply and automatically cut to a size calculated to wrap the box. The paper is automatically applied to wrap four sides of the box without causing the box to tilt or tumble. The ends are then automatically processed by folding and sealing of flaps, whereupon a neatly wrapped box is ejected from the machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping covering elements around flat objects. The method and apparatus involve the formation of a compound object comprising a flat object to be wrapped and a covering element. A first main surface of the flat object is covered at least partially with a covering element for creating a projecting portion of the covering element. A plurality of compound objects are conveyed in series in a predetermined conveying-in trajectory. Then, a flow of compound objects are deflected about a wrapping roller having a longitudinal axis oriented transversely to the conveying-in trajectory. During deflection, each compound object is moved through a position where main surfaces of an associated flat object are oriented parallel to the radius of the wrapping roller, and in a moving trajectory substantially transverse to those main surfaces.

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: Apparatus for tightly wrapping a package such as disposed on a pallet in a thin film such as for shipping or storage includes a rotating deck adapted to receive the pallet and package to be wrapped. The deck is directly coupled to and supported by a gear box driven by an electric motor. The apparatus further includes a film wrap supply in the form of a roll which lets out the film for wrapping around the package as the deck and package rotate. A manually adjustable tensioner allows for adjusting the stretch of the wrapping film on the package, while the film wrap supply may be adjusted vertically to permit wrapping the package over its entire vertical dimension regardless of the width of the roll of film wrap. A foot control allows an operator of the apparatus to rotate the deck and the package being wrapped while vertically moving the film wrap supply roll to fully enclose the package within the wrapping film.

Abstract: A method of packaging a load that is generally prismatic in shape in which at least one rigid protective angle strip is initially placed on at least one edge of the load. The strip is then rigidly and permanently secured to the load. An apparatus is used for grasping, displacing, depositing, and holding the protective angle strip. A protective angle strip is taken from a magazine to an edge of the load by using the apparatus, wherein the protective angle strip is held temporarily while the angle strip is simultaneously secured rigidly to the load, and once it has been rigidly secured, the apparatus is disengaged from the angle strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet of material about a bouquet of flowers. A sheet of material having spaced apart defined first and second portions is placed against a support member, such as a prepared table top, and the bouquet is positioned on the sheet with the first and second portions of the sheet extending on right and left sides, respectively, of the bouquet. The first sheet portion is then moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet, and the second sheet portion is moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet and to extend over part of the first sheet portion. The two sheet portions may be secured together by a bonding material, or the first and second portions of the sheet of wrapping material can themselves act as a bonding material by application of appropriate heat sealing, sonic welding, vibratory welding, and similar methods.

Abstract: An improvement in a bridge conveyor for a rotary stretch film wrapping apparatus for wrapping a product in a plastic film. The products are conveyed to a transition bridge around which the elongated shrink film is wrapped. The improved bridge conveyor system includes a pair of horizontally spaced air assisted guides adjacent an endless conveyor. The air assisted guides provide an air cushion on which the plastic film rides.

Abstract: A method for setting pieces of wrapping material, in a machine for wrapping articles with pieces of wrapping material, during the wrapping phase of the article, includes transporting each single wrapping material piece by means of a plurality of bar means which are disposed set apart with reference to the transport direction, and cooperating with each other. An apparatus for carrying out this method includes a plurality of closed loop transport means, at least one wrapping bar associated to each one of the above mentioned transport means, driving means designed to drive, in proper connection, the transport means.

Abstract: This applicator mitt includes an inner pouch and an outer pouch providing a cover for the inner pouch. The inner pouch includes an outer face receiving a treating substance and is formed from a pair of panels, attached on two sides and one end and having separable margins on the other end to receive the hand portion of the user. The outer pouch can be a simple envelope or can be formed from a pair of panels attached to each other and to the inner pouch, said panels being removable to expose the inner pouch treating substance but remaining attached to the inner pouch during use.

Abstract: A fully automatic stationary wrapping mechanism is utilized in conjunction with an upstream palletizing device and a downstream distribution system. An inbound zone accepts palletized materials and selectively passes them along to a wrap zone. An outbound zone provides a direct link with the wrapping device in any downstream distribution conveyor system. The apparatus provides a relatively short, straight pathway from the point of construction of the loaded pallet through the wrapping station to the outbound conveyor. An improved film gripping device is provided as an elongated arm, extendable from a home position outside the wrapping area to within the wrap zone in order to grip the film, and such that the specific location of the free end of film is not particularly critical.

Abstract: A machine for packaging articles of any size with sheets of material comprising a wrapping conveyor, conveyor for delivering and receiving articles to and from the wrapping conveyor and endless wrapping conveyor with a bar moving along a track which passes around the wrapping conveyor in which the wrapping conveyor and the conveyor for receiving the articles have structured conveying surfaces with ends which can be positioned adjacently but at a distance and adjusted in a complementary movable way in two directions and the conveyor and wrapping conveyor with a bar is supported by a supporting structure which is in turn rotatably supported so that it can be adjustably positioned about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for the packaging of articles with pieces of sheet of heat-shrinking material includes three coplanar feed, wrapping and product delivery conveyors, a conveyor for delivering sheets of the wrapping material and wrapping device for wrapping the products to operate in a continuous operation, a device is provided for operating the machine continuously and the device for supplying the sheets with at least two aligned conveyor members of which the downstream member is equipped with a device which cyclically differentiates the drive transmission speed.

Abstract: Manual wrap stations for handwrapping of trayed products in film are arranged in back-to-back fashion. They have a common wrap surface between them to provide a reduced-cost, space-saving tandem or dual hand wrap station. Two operators face each other during wrapping and alternately use the common wrap surface. In a preferred form, the wrap surface is either a weighing scale platter itself or the platter can be alongside a separate wrap surface. In either such form, the system enables weighing, computing, label printing and hand labeling of wrapped products without loss of productivity. The arrangement eliminates the need for an additional computing scale and label printer, such as would be necessary to obtain the same productivity with separate wrap stations using such equipment. An audible signal is provided to indicate that the scale has completed a weighing, enabling ease of the operators' pacing of their alternating manual functions, without each having to watch the other's actions.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of, nominally cylindrical articles such as hay bales in film to form a long cigar shaped package with the film wound helically thereabout.A collapsible embodiment to be transportable is disclosed as are embodiments which: are operable on inclined ground; allow variation of wrapping overlap and parameters; place reduced stress on wrapping film; provide drainage for packages.

Abstract: An apparatus, which is utilized to secure loads to a number of pallets emanating from a plurality of sources, provides a relatively short, straight pathway from the point of construction of a loaded pallet to the wrapping station. The device further provides a plurality of stations to permit maximum utilization of a single wrapping apparatus. An improved swing arm is utilized to mount the stretch wrap on the stacked pallet and permits increased efficiency in pre-stretching and wrapping of the stacked loads. The wrapping apparatus is mounted at the end of a series of pallet conveyors. Each pallet transportation conveyor terminates in a wrapping station which is collinear with the other wrapping stations. A support beam extends longitudinally along the line of wrapping stations at a pre-selected height thereabove. A rolling transport is mounted upon wheels and rolls along the length of the beam. The transport contains the operating controls of the device as well as the swing arm which wraps the stacked pallets.

Abstract: A packaging machine for wrapping a flexible web around an assembled load in a wrapping station consists of a wrapping mandrel which is located in the wrapping station and a web dispenser for dispensing a web into the wrapping station and a wrapper mechanism which grasps the leading end of the web and pulls it around the mandrel. The web is cut after it has been wrapped around the mandrel. The dispenser mechanism which dispenses a web of flexible material from a coil includes a coil support and a belt drive which engages the coil and serves to rotatably drive the coil to dispense the web from the coil support. The shipper package which is formed in the machine consists of an assembled load and a wrapper which is wrapped around the assembled load. A first tear tape is attached to the outer face of the web and a second tear tape is attached to the inner face of the web in an underlying relationship with respect to the first tear tape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging apparatus designed so that a belt-like plastic film is placed over articles being transported on a conveyor, the article being wrapped in the film while the film being stretched widthwise, the film being cut between adjacent articles, the cut ends of the film being folded to and brought in adhesion to the underside of the article. A pair of chains run on both sides of a path of transport of the articles, each of the chains having a number of clamps. As the chains run, the clamps place the film over the articles while clamping both side edge portions and pulling them in the widthwise direction. The distance between the chains is adjustable; where a stretchable film having a high draw ratio is used, the interchain distance is broadened, whereas in the case of a heat-shrinkable film having a low draw ratio being used, the interchain distance is narrowed.

Abstract: A machine for sealing the corner of a flexible bag member by applying a segment of adhesive tape from a roll of tape to a corner of the flexible bag where the tape is mechanically applied to the top, end and bottom surfaces of a corner of a bag member and a mechanical wiper applies an overhanging portion of the tape to a side surface in a neatly folded condition together with the mechanisms for supplying a cut segment of tape repetitively to bag members transported along a conveyor means.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for an orbital stretch wrapper to form two superimposed layers of opposite pitch on items or bundles. Shrinkable film is drawn off two separate supply rolls under tension simultaneously in opposing rotational directions. The rolls are placed successively along the length of a conveyor belt separated by at least one width of the film.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and process for high speed continuous film web wrapping of uniform loads, in which a first wrap is applied in a first direction transverse to the path of the moving load and a second wrap is applied in a second direction opposite the first direction. This dual wrap nullifies the disabling effects of helical wrap bias when a single wrap is applied at high speed to a moving load, and produces a longitudinal containment force after film web recovery over time on leading and trailing ends of the load. In the apparatus two wrapping stations are provided together with a wrapping conveyor assembly which carries the film web wrapped around the load and conveyor through the two stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a load of goods on a pallet with parallel or crosswise running straps has an upper carriage displaceable in elevation. A vertical shaft is secured on the upper carriage and carries a wrapping arm with a horizontal part and a downwardly-projecting perpendicular part, radially spaced from the shaft. A spool of banding material in the form of a thin flat strip is provided above the shaft or on the horizontal part of the wrapping arm, and guiding pulleys at a junction betwen the horizontal and vertical parts, and at a lower discharge end of the vertical part, guide the flat strip to the area of a lower carriage, which is also displacement in elevation and supports a unit adapted to hold, cut and affix the flat strip when wrapped.

Abstract: A rotatable film wrapping apparatus for wrapping a load on a conveyor with an overwrap of stretched plastic film web, having a ring-mounted film web pre-stretch mechanism which stretches and dispenses film at a varying speed controlled independently of variations in film tension and speed between the pre-stretch mechanism and the load, and a supply speed control mechanism which varies the supply speed of web from the pre-stretch mechanism as the ring rotates. The supply speed control mechanism is configured as a predetermined model of the load to minimize variation in film elongation and containment as successive load edges intercept film web during wrapping, thereby locking in these characteristics at predetermined levels for film web wrapped across the load side which ends at the edge.

Abstract: For continuously wrapping a palletized load, a self-propelling apparatus is provided, said apparatus being fitted with means for electric traction fed by batteries, said machine moving at a distance around the outer perimeter of a load.The apparatus and with it the reel, from which the film unwinds to wrap the load, follows a path which alters in correspondence with the outer perimeter of the load to be wrapped. The outer perimeter of the load is detected by devices fitted inside a container for evaluating the preselected distance between the path to be followed by the apparatus and said outer perimeter of the load. Conveniently, said means are based on the emission of ultrasonic waves and receiving of their respective echos.

Abstract: In order to be able to economically package with foil banderoles e.g. lettuces and bunches of carrots, asparagus, bananas, etc, the packaging apparatus has technical means for holding and grasping the foil web end, so that on removing the web from the foil web storage drum it can be placed round the article to be packaged and the foil web end can be kept within hand reach for new packaging processes. To this end, the foil web, together with its foil web storage drum is wound by means of a swivel round the article to be packaged, between two successive trays having a gap between them, the two ends of the article being supported on the trays. The gripping of the foil web end takes place by means of two foil web ends holding tubes, which are provided with circumferentially distributed air intakes and are connected to a vacuum producing device which can be switched on and off. The foil web is separated by means of a cutting knife.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel apparatus having a plurality of flexible members which extend downstream horizontally along a wrapping conveying assembly for making unitary packages which are wrapped on all sides. The apparatus is particularly adapted for wrapping of loads with lengths and circumferences which vary substantially from one load to the next. Film is wrapped around the load, the flexible members and the conveying assembly with the load being carried off by another conveyor. The flexible members extend from the load being wrapped to the previous load which has been wrapped so that the stretched film is wrapped around the flexible member between loads causing the flexible members to be pulled inward forming a configuration resembling an hour glass. As the loads are being continuous bundled, the wrapped bundles can be transported downstream to a cutting and sealing area where the wrap is severed and optionally sealed forming individually enclosed wrapped packages.

Abstract: A package is conveyed to a package elevator which elevates it into a film sheet stretched above the elevator. Side folding levers and a coordinated rear folder fold three sides of the film sheet about the package such that edges of first and second opposed sides of the film sheet are overlapped by edges of a third or rear side of the film sheet. The infolding of the third side of the film sheet by the side underfolders is delayed at the rear edge of the package by expanding the opening between the side underfolders in that area. Thus, the rear underfolding of the third side commences substantially at the rear corners of the package to expand the underfolded third side and ensure film overlap. The package is then pushed onto a conveyor to underfold the fourth side of the film and entirely cover the underside of the package by overlapping edges of the folded sides of the film sheet.

Abstract: A stretch wrapping apparatus and process for wrapping and sealing random-sized loads, in which the load is surrounded with a plurality of tube forming support members which extend along the length of the load. A conveyor directly beneath the load supports the load and preferably incorporates at least one upper and one lower endless belt, rotating so that the upper surface of the upper belt and the lower surface of the lower belt are both carried in the same downstream direction at the same speed. The tube forming support members converge to the load with skids which do not support the load, and preferably have endless conveyor belts with an outer surface circulating in the same downstream direction and at the same speed as the lower dual conveyor. A stretched film web is wrapped around the tube forming support members, conveyor, and load by a film dispenser, wrapping the load as well as space in front of and behind the load.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel apparatus for making unitary completely wrapped packages. In the apparatus, a series of loads are fed into a wrapping apparatus onto a wrapping conveyor assembly comprised of a plurality of conveyors. The film is continuously wrapped around the load and the conveyor assembly to form a spiral bundle with the load being carried off by the top portion of one conveyor and the wrap being carried off the bottom portion of another conveyor so that the load and wrap are carried off at the same speed onto a take-off conveyor. The spiral stretched film web is sealed and severed between adjacent loads by a cutting and sealing apparatus to form a six sided compressive wrap around each load.