Abstract: A food packaging machine and a method of food packaging with which food can be put into a container, and a film heat sealed to the container to cover the top of the container.

Abstract: Single station apparatus and processing procedures for packaging production-tonnage coils of flat-rolled sheet metal so as to provide protection from (i) packaged atmosphere, (ii) ambient atmosphere, and (iii) changing ambient atmospheric conditions. Such coil is positioned centrally of such single station apparatus for integrated polymeric stretch-film encapsulation of such wound coil and for securing such coil to a pallet. A centrally-located support of such structure enables pivotal circumscribing movement of a power-driven source of polymeric stretch-film with provisions for control of stretch-film tension. A pallet-mounted sheet metal coil, with its central axis vertically-oriented and with bottom and top planar surfaces protected, is circumferentially wound free of any requirement for movement of pallet or coil so as to encapsulate such coil, in effect, providing hermetic sealing of the coil. And the encapsulated coil is affixed to such pallet by continuous-length polymeric stretch-film wrapping.

Abstract: A package comprising tubular food casing strands encased in a plastic film, said film encompassing said strands, said package being provided with a tear strip secured upon the outside surface of the film; weakened areas being provided in the film along parallel edges of said tear strip so that pulling of said strip away from the package causes film between the weakened areas to be removed with the strip thus opening the package and exposing the strands.

Abstract: A reusable gift wrap (12) for a gift box (14) comprising an expandable sleeve (16) longer in length than the gift box (14). The width of the expandable sleeve (16) can conform, within reasonable limits, to the width size of the gift box (14) when the gift box (14) is inserted into the expandable sleeve (16). A structure (18) is for temporarily retaining each of the two ends (20) of the expandable sleeve (16) in a folded over configuration.

Abstract: A method of stretch wrapping an item with a multilayer, thermoplastic stretch wrap film. The stretch wrap film containing at least three polymeric film layers and comprised of a first layer and a second layer. The first and second layers may comprise a polymer of two or more monomers, wherein a first monomer is ethylene, in a major amount by weight, and a second monomer is an alpha olefin of from about 3 to about 12 carbon atoms, in a minor amount by weight. If the first and second layers are outer layers, they have a cling force to each other of at least about 140 grams/inch. The stretch wrap film also has at least one inner polymeric layer, located between the first and second layers. The inner polymeric layer comprises a low polydispersity polymer having a polydispersity of from about 1 to about 4, a melt index (I.sub.2) of from about 0.5 to about 10 g/10 min, and a melt flow ratio (I.sub.20 /I.sub.2) of from about 12 to about 22. The inner layer(s) comprise(s) from about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a multilayer, thermoplastic stretch wrap film containing at least three polymeric film layers and comprised of an inner polymeric layer. The inner polymeric layer comprises a blend of a low polydispersity polymer and either a high pressure low density polyethylene resin, a very low density polyethylene resin or a combination thereof. The low polydispersity polymer has a polydispersity of from about 1 to about 4, a melt index (I.sub.2) of from about 0.5 to about 10 g/10 min., and a melt flow ratio (I.sub.20 /I.sub.2) of from about 12 to about 22. The high pressure low density polyethylene resin has a melt index of from about 1 to about 10 g/10 min., and a density of from about 0.9 to about 0.935 g/cm.sup.3. The very low density polyethylene resin has a melt index of from about 0.5 to about 5 g/10 min., and a density of from about 0.880 to about 0.912 g/cm.sup.3. The stretch wrap film may include a first layer and a second layer.

Abstract: A multilayer, thermoplastic stretch wrap film containing at least four polymeric film layers and comprised of a first outer cling layer, a second outer cling layer, at least one inner polymeric layer and at least one core layer. The first and second layers have a cling force to s each other of at least about 140 grams/inch. The stretch wrap film has at least one inner polymeric layer, located between the first and second layers. The inner polymeric layer comprises a low polydispersity polymer. The low polydispersity polymer has a polydispersity of from about 1 to about 4, a melt index (I.sub.2) of from about 0.5 to about 10 g/10 min., and a melt flow ratio (I.sub.20 /I.sub.2) of from about 12 to about 22. The core layer, also located between the outer cling layers, comprises either a random copolymer of propylene and ethylene, a heterophasic copolymer of propylene with domains of ethylene interspersed, a polypropylene homopolymer, or blends thereof.

Abstract: A device for sealing container openings which uniformly applies a stretch plastic film onto the openings to be sealed. The device comprises a support, preferably flat-shaped, having at least one hole, on which is placed the stretch plastic film, the film is held taut and adherent to the support by means of gluing, magnetic force, pressure, or a counter-pattern. The device can bear a mark or a recognition message, as well as a warning or an advertisement and can also be used for temporary sealing of containers.

Abstract: A method and device for unwrapping self-adhering films at reduced noise levels are disclosed. The method and device include means to maintain a sufficiently high unwrapping take-off angle during the unwrapping and dispensing or unwinding of film rollstock. Suitable means provide for substantial acceleration and adjustment of the rollstock rotational speed relative to the speed of the first power driven member of an unwrapping apparatus, or the use of one or more carefully positioned deflector members. The method and device is particularly useful in unwrapping and dispensing operations of high cling stretch wrap films involving the use of turntable-style power driven equipment as well as in unwrapping and unwinding operations of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes.

Abstract: A load portion is engaged in an infeed area and transported from the infeed area to a wrapping area with rotational, horizontal, and vertical carriers. Those carriers move the portion of the load horizontally along two horizontal degrees of freedom and one vertical degree of freedom by rotating a portion of the load about a vertical axis and translating the portion of the load along a generally linear horizontal direction and a generally linear vertical direction. The load is disengaged in the wrapping area and a stretch wrap packaging material dispenser is engaged and is transported to the wrapping area by the same rotational, horizontal, and vertical carriers to wrap the portion of the load with stretch wrap packaging material by using, once again, the same rotational, horizontal, and vertical carriers to rotate the dispenser around the load.

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 stretch label adapted to be fitted to a container is manufactured and includes a stretch film, having a self-shrinking property, and a printing layer. The stretch film, in turn, includes a substrate made from an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or a mixture of a low density polyethylene and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and a surface layer made of a polyolefin resin. The surface layer is harder than the substrate and is provided on at least one surface of the substrate. The surface layer is the outer surface layer of the stretch label when the stretch label is fitted to the container.

Abstract: A stretch wrapping machine includes a film dispenser for dispensing packaging material and tensioning control means for controlling the tension of the packaging material during application to a load. The dispenser and tension controlling means may be used with a round frame, a frame with corners, a driving mechanism or a turntable, at least one of which will have signaling means for activating the tension controlling means.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping an article in a film (e.g. a plastics film) comprises a pair of stretch rollers for stretching the film, a film dispenser for delivering the film to the stretch rollers and means for rotating the article to take up stretched film from the stretch rollers, wherein the means for rotating the article comprises a first hydraulic motor and the stretch rollers are driven by a second hydraulic motor connected in series to the first motor to run on the exhaust from the first motor, whereby the ratio of the output of the first and second motors is fixed. One of the pair of stretch rollers constitutes the first of two nipped rollers, the second nipped roller being directly driven by the second motor and geared to the first nipped roller to drive it at the same peripheral velocity. The apparatus may be used for wrapping bales of silage.

Abstract: A method wherein a strip of flat plastic carriers having openings therein for application to groups of containers is moved from a source to a feed drum for delivering a strip of carriers to an applicator apparatus, a trough interposed between the source and the feed drum. Electrical heaters are provided beneath the trough. A strip of carriers is moved through the trough such as to heat the carriers from the underside thereof. The temperature of the heaters is controlled such that the strip of carriers is conditioned to compensate for ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping and securing film about a load by positioning a first arm retaining an end portion of film toward the load, wrapping a layer of film about the first arm so the first arm is between the wrapped film and the load, withdrawing the first arm retaining the film from between the wrapped film and the load, and releasing the end portion of film retained by the first arm to position and secure a first film portion between the wrapped film and the load. The load is further wrapped and a second arm is subsequently positioned toward the load, and a layer of film is wrapped about the second arm so the second arm is between the wrapped film and the load. A roped film portion is captured and retained by the first and second second arms. The roped film is then severed and an end portion of the severed film is retained by the first arm for subsequently wrapping another load.

Abstract: A machine and method of operation thereof to pick-up individual bales of hay or other forage material from the field to create a package of individual bales that is silage-wrapped with plastic before being discharged back to the ground. The receiving table is pivotally supported on the frame of the machine to provide the ability to re-orient the package for wrapping plastic about orthogonal axes. A clamping and elevating mechanism is operable to lift layers of individual bales to permit the formation of subsequent layers therebeneath until the desired package size has been completed. The clamping members are rotatably mounted to allow rotation of the elevated package for wrapping plastic around the periphery thereof. Ejection of the wrapped package is accomplished by pivoting the telescopic members mounting the clamping members to a horizontal orientation and releasing the package. The reversal of the discharge process can be utilized to retrieve wrapped packages from the field.

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 to a pre-stretched film, and to apparatus and a method of applying outer packaging to packages and to loads, optimized as a function of the structure and in particular the shape of the package or the load, in particular a palletized load, and also as a function of the transport and handling that the package or the load must be capable of withstanding without the outer packaging being dislocated. According to the invention, a stretchable film is stretched over at least one roller having a diameter that varies along its axis of rotation so as to form parallel longitudinal zones in the film that have different degrees of stretching. These zones make it possible, in particular, to track the external outlines of objects to be packaged and/or to provide locally-reinforced bonding, or on the contrary to present surfaces that are more relaxed. The present invention applies in particular to packaging and grouping together loads that may optionally be palletized.

Abstract: Multilayer thermoplastic stretch wrap film having substantial one-sided cling properties is made without the use of polymers with high levels of n-hexane extractables, dissimilar polymer chemistries, or low molecular weight tackifiers. The reverse or cling layer comprises at least one homogeneously branched ethylene polymer composition having a density of about 0.90 g/cc or less and the obverse or non-cling layer comprises an propylene or ethylene polymer composition having a density greater than 0.90 g/cc. The multilayer film is particularly useful for load palletization end-use applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping coils of metallic strip and the like to protect against atmospheric corrosion are described. A plastic film sleeve is inserted through the open cylindrical centre and held in place by flanged collars at each end. The sleeve is turned back over the collars and the ends are loosely stuffed into the open cylindrical centre. The entire coil is then cocoon wrapped using relatively wide stretch-wrap film. The cocoon wrapping is then sealed to the turned-over sleeve in the vicinity of the end collars so as to seal the coil within a continuous plastic film. The excess cocoon wrapping and sleeve material overlying the cylindrical centre can be trimmed away to leave an open centre to receive coil handling equipment.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for protecting fragile objects from breakage which utilizes a case formed from upper and lower portions having dimensions somewhat smaller than the fragile object to be protected which is used to encase that object and provide cushioning for the fragile object should it be dropped or jostled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process ad device for packing pressed bales of cut or stranded textile fibers in a bale press with one or more elastic packing blanks which are wrapped and secured around the bales. The packing blanks are overlapped and bonded together at the contact point adhesively or by welding. Use is made for this purpose of multi-layer packing blanks with a retaining structure and, at least locally, a weldable and/or adhesive coating, the coatings of the packing blanks being brought into mutual contact. Bonding is achieved by pressure and/or heat.

Abstract: In a stretch wrapping system, the film is punctured about half way across its width to form a small hole which is expanded in the prestretch station and the film finally broken by abruptly increasing film tension at the end of a wrapping operation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of shrink film wrapping one or more objects (12) in one or more rows. The objects are caused to be surrounded by two film webs (1, 4), which are sealed together by means of a sealing jaw (14). The objects (12) are moved in towards the two film webs (1, 4) by means of a pusher which, on its completion of the infeed movement stroke, stretches the two film webs (1, 4) in that the film webs are fixedly retained by each one of a hose brake (7, 8). When the sealing jaw (14) executes its downward stroke for completely shrouding the films (1, 4) around the objects (12), the sealing jaw (14) finally stretches the upper film (1). The film (1, 4) projecting outside the objects (12) is shrunk by means of hot air nozzles directed towards the objects (12).

Abstract: A system (A) for making shrink packaging (P) that is adapted to receive an article (O) to be packaged is disclosed including a conveyer (250) for moving a rigid substrate pallet member (250) beneath a flexible wrapping feed (252) that extends a flexible wrapping material (172) over a top surface (254) of the rigid substrate. An extension assembly (256) extends a desired length of the flexible wrapping material (172) from a flexible wrapping material supply (258) over the top surface (254) of the rigid substrate forming a pocket (178) between the top surface (254) of the rigid substrate and a bottom surface (180) of the flexible wrapping material (172). A trimmer (260) cuts the desired length of the extended flexible wrapping material (172) from the flexible wrapping material supply (258). The two opposing ends (174 and 176) of the length of the flexible wrapping material (172) is attached to the opposing ends (168 and 170) of the rigid substrate.

Abstract: A method of building and wrapping a load including infeeding load units to an infeed area of a layer building area at an infeed level below a desired height of the load, repeatedly building load layers in a layer building area from load units incoming from the infeed area at the infeed level, repeatedly transporting the load layers from the layer building area to a load building and wrapping area to sequentially build a load of layers to the desired height of the load in the load building and wrapping area from layers built in the layer building area, wrapping the load of layers in the load building and wrapping area while building at least one interim layer in the layer building area from load units, outputting the wrapped load from the load building area, and sequentially transporting the interim layer and at least one other layer built in the layer building area from the layer building area to the load building and wrapping area to sequentially form a load of layers in the load building and wrapping area.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved polyolefin cling/slip stretch wrap films having superior load retention, elongation, tear resistance and puncture resistance properties and for the methods of using those stretch wrap films. The stretch wrap films are preferably constructed in a multilayer fashion having an outside cling layer, an outside slip layer, at least one inside puncture resistant layer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene resin, and at least one inside transverse direction tear resistant layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved thermoplastic stretch wrap films having superior cling force, load retention, elongation, tear resistance and puncture resistance properties and for the methods of using those stretch wrap films. The stretch wrap films generally have a thickness of from about 0.4 to about 3 mils. The stretch wrap films are preferably constructed in a multilayer fashion having outside cling layers, and at least one inside puncture resistant layer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene resin and at least one inside transverse direction tear resistant layer comprising a polyethylene copolymer.

Abstract: A shrink wrap or stretch wrap pallet system including a pair of end panels arranged and configured so as to mount on opposite sides of a package, effectively connecting a base pallet and a top panel. The end panels themselves are spaced from the perimeter of the package. The end panels have vertical edges which extend beyond the perimeter of the package, thereby defining a plane between respective end panels, the plane serving to space the wrap, which lies substantially therein, from the package. The end panels are conveniently sized and shaped to fit within the area of the base pallet, intermediate panels and top panel thereby providing a relatively compact return package. Side panels may be provided to supplement the end panels.

Abstract: A method for packaging bodies (1), primarily bales (1) of moist or wet animal-feed, by wrapping the body in a thin plastic film band (2), wherein a plastic web is wound onto the body in successive turns (3) while maintaining the web in tension. The web is taken from a magazine (4) while rotating the body about its longitudinal axis (5), which is preferably essentially horizontal, with the turns extending generally parallel with and transversely to the longitudinal axis, wherein wrapping of the body is terminated by gripping the web at a web part located between the magazine and the body, therewith severing the web. The method is mainly characterized in that the plastic web (2) is caused to extend transversely to the longitudinal axis (5) and herewith run from the magazine (4) essentially tangentially to the body (1) and transversely to the longitudinal axis, before the web is gripped at the web part located adjacent the body. This invention also relates to a body wrapping arrangement.

Abstract: A process for fitting stretchable labeling sleeves on bottles or the like, according to which at least one pair of stretchers is introduced into the sleeve, the stretchers are moved apart in order to stretch the sleeve, and the bottle and the stretchers are displaced relative to one another in order to postion the stretched sleeve on the bottle, which process is characterised in that, during relative displacement of the attached sleeve and the bottle, suction is effected in the area of contact between the sleeve and the stretchers in order to maintain the sleeve on the stretchers while it is being fitted on the bottle.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging and wrapping a load, and a method for using the same, having an infeed conveyor for receiving bundles from an assembly or production line, positioning conveyors located downstream of the infeed conveyor for arranging the bundles into load layers, and stripper plates downstream of the positioning conveyor for receiving and discharging the load layers. A pair of lifts are located below the stripper plates for raising and lowering a pallet. The second lift is mounted on the first lift, so that the two lifts combine to raise a pallet to receive successive load layers from the stripper plates. A wrap ring including a film dispenser is mounted below the stripper plates, so that the dispenser may orbit and dispense a plastic film material about the load. The second lift raises the pallet above the first lift to position the load adjacent the dispenser for wrapping. Guide plates are mounted above the wrap ring to stabilize the load prior to wrapping.

Abstract: Food products, especially fresh food products such as retail-cut red meat, vegetables and fruits, are packaged with a film having at least one film layer comprising a substantially linear ethylene polymer, preferably a polymer comprising ethylene and at least one .alpha.-olefin comonomer, e.g. 1-octene. The ethylene polymers used in the construction of the film structures used in this invention are prepared by constrained geometry catalyst technology. The film structures can be either mono- or multilayered, oriented or nonoriented, oxygen permeable or impermeable, and prepared by any conventional technique. The food products can be packaged by any conventional method, e.g. stretch overwrap, shrink, vacuum skin, on vacuum forming.

Abstract: A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article to be shipped, which kit comprises a base sheet of selected width and length sufficient to hold the article being packaged, the base sheet characterized by a horizontal fold line extending substantially across the base sheet, which permits the base portion to be folded inwardly to receive an article to be packaged on the base sheet. The sheet has a pair of spaced-apart opposite end portions having two or three parallel spaced-apart fold lines perpendicular to the horizontal central fold line, the fold lines adapted to move the end portions between a generally flat position and a folded V-shape or Z-shape position. The base sheet has at least two pairs of spaced-apart aligned notches on either side of the base portion.

Abstract: A package of expandable wrapping material, and a method of using that package. The package comprises a folder and a supply of sheets of expandable paper material connected to the folder. To use a sheet, the folder is opened, and a user grips the bottom edge of one of the sheets and stretches that sheet. As it is stretched, the sheet expands into a three-dimensional shape. The desired amount of expanded material is formed, and then that expanded material may be cut or torn from the folder. The expanded material may be used to wrap an article, either while that expanded material is still attached to the folder, or after that material is torn from the folder. Also, the expanded material may be used to fill voids or cavities in a box or container. Preferably, the package is secured to a fixed location, such as a work surface or a holder, while a sheet is stretched and cut or torn from the folder, and the package may be provided with means to facilitate attaching the folder to this fixed location.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for loading cargo pieces or objects onto a pallet or the like, wherein the pieces or objects are nonsymmetrical or otherwise have an odd shape, for forming with said pallet a cargo unit having a predetermined shape.

Abstract: The film, which is cyclically extended in the station for wrapping the product, is acted on by a jet of hot air supplied from a therm-electric generator controlled by a control logic unit which through suitable sensors measures the ambient temperature and the temperature of the film and controls any other inputs, so that the film is kept in optimal and substantially constant conditions to react without tearing to the pre-stretching and/or stretching to which it is normally subjected in the product packaging cycle.

Abstract: An assembly of packaged reams of paper sheets for point of purchase or distribution display has a plurality of stacked layers of the packaged reams in contacting relationship; an adhesive film between at least some contacting upper and lower packaged reams adheres the packaged reams together; the adhesive has a high strength component in a first lateral direction of the film effective to hinder relative horizontal movement of the contacting upper and lower packaged reams having the adhesive film therebetween, and a weak strength component in a second direction perpendicular to the lateral direction such that the contacting upper and lower packaged reams are readily separated by a displacing force in the second direction; a flexible protective sheet is wrapped about the stacked layers; the assembly optionally includes a tubular sleeve applied over the stacked layers at the point of purchase or distribution, after removal of the protective sheet, a removable panel in the tubular sleeve exposes the packaged ream

Abstract: The present invention provides a sturdy display package which, in an embodiment, is made of first and second peripherally sealed transparent PVC sheets approximately 7.5 mils thick each. The package is particularly useful for displaying and protecting small items such as pain reliever packets or condoms. The invention includes a method and apparatus for making such a package. The first sheet is positioned over a nesting plate having a plurality of nesting modules, each corresponding to one package and being independently height-adjustable by a shim at a selected location to correct sealing flaws. The second sheet is then positioned over the first sheet so that the items are between the sheets. An RF-sealing die is provided having package-shaped sealing dies, each defining a pocket. The sealing die and nesting plate are pressed together so that each pocket receives a bulge formed by from one of the items.

Abstract: A procedure for winding a wrapper (1) around a piece of goods (2) includes the steps of pulling a shrinkable film (5) over the upper part of the goods, winding the wrapper around the goods so that the film is partly impacted under the wrapper, and cutting off and seaming the wrapper. The wrapper is unshrinkable relative to the film. Only the film is heated, and it shrinks and becomes tightened around the upper part of the goods. An apparatus includes assembly for pulling a shrinkable film over the upper part of the goods, assembly for winding a relatively unshrinkable wrapper around the goods, assembly for cutting off and seaming the wrapper, and a heating device for heating only the film wherein the heating device is disposed above the film whereby a hot air is blown against the film. The tightened film supports the upper part of the goods so that the goods cannot fan out during transport or delivery.

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: The invention relates to a method of making a quick-opening wrapping for packaging objects, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:an embrittling agent is added to at least one extrudable plastics material;a monolayer film is made from said composition by monoextrusion; andsaid objects are surrounded at least in part by a portion of said film, and tear initiator means are provided in said portion of the film whereby it is possible to tear said wrapping in the direction that is predetermined by said initiator.

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: An apparatus for packaging and wrapping a load, and a method for using the same, having an infeed conveyor for receiving bundles from an assembly or production line, positioning conveyors located downstream of the infeed conveyor for arranging the bundles into load layers, and stripper plates downstream of the positioning conveyor for receiving and discharging the load layers. A pair of lifts are located below the stripper plates for raising and lowering a pallet. The second lift is mounted on the first lift, so that the two lifts combine to raise a pallet to receive successive load layers from the stripper plates. A wrap ring including a film dispenser is mounted below the stripper plates, so that the dispenser may orbit and dispense a plastic film material about the load. The second lift raises the pallet above the first lift to position the load adjacent the dispenser for wrapping. Guide plates are mounted above the wrap ring to stabilize the load prior to wrapping.

Abstract: A monolayer or multilayer (i.e., a composite or laminate) stretch wrap film is fabricated from a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) possessing a significant level of cling force not attributable to added cling component. The inherent cling force is due to the presence of a relatively high level of n-hexane extractibles in the LLDPE resin.

Abstract: A stretchable film is used whose width is substantially equal to that of the bottom of an article of the largest format which can be processed by the packaging machine. The film is characterized by considerable stretchability and a low elastic memory when stretched. The portion of film cyclically introduced into the wrapping station is normally subjected to longitudinal pre-stretching which has the function of decreasing the width of the film, and the extent of this pre-stretching is variable according to the dimensions of the article to be wrapped, so that the portion of film has a width proportionate to the corresponding dimension of the article to be wrapped.

Abstract: A cylindrical bale-wrapping apparatus is provided having a single, rotatable bale-wrapping ring and a ram feed device for feeding unwrapped bales through such bale-wrapping ring, and, after its initial wrapping operation, into contact with a previously wrapped bale. The apparatus has a valve operated by the weight of a bale to move the bale on a feeding stroke through the bale-wrapping ring and by a valve, when the bale is at a bale-wrapping station, to rotate the bale-wrapping ring for bale-wrapping. The ram feed device also assists in moving the wrapped bale from the rear of the apparatus. The apparatus is of simple structure with a single hoop for the wrapping ring which is provided with rotation supports. A cantilever support extends longitudinally from a portion of the hoop to carry the wrap material dispenser and tensioner.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a method of making a monolayer or multilayer film structure as well as to a method of making a unitized pallet of goods wherein the pallet is stretched wrapped with the film structure. The film structure in each method comprises a polymer blend which contains at least one branched polymer (e.g. low density polyethylene (LDPE) or ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and at least one linear polyethylene (e.g., LLDPE). The film structure is characterized as having a good overall balance of properties, including high ultimate elongation, excellent load retention and good machine direction tear.

Abstract: A broccoli banding machine having an electric DC motor drive actuated by an interrupted optical beam is disclosed. The banding machine includes a plate with a central aperture defining a depending cylinder. The depending cone has a light beam looking across the cylinder which when interrupted keeps arms having band engaging fingers in the band expanded position. Both arms and fingers are mounted above the supporting plate where access and view of arms by the banding and packing worker is provided at all times. Upon gathering broccoli to a bouquet with both hands, the worker places the stalks of the gathered bouquet into the cylinder, interrupting the light beam. Upon such interruption, the arms at the band engaging fingers are cycled into the bunched stalks, the contracted band released to the stalk, the bouquet at the stalks removed from the vicinity of the fingers, and a new rubber band placed upon the centrally disposed fingers.