Abstract: A multiple product container carton having a rectangular base portion and substantially triangular side walls with opposing slots in the side walls for holding product containers. End walls are hingedly connected to the ends of the rectangular base portion and fold upwardly and lock to the side walls to securely hold the product containers in the carton. Perforation lines may extend between the opposing pairs of slots such that a product container may be removed from the carton by tearing along the perforation lines.

Abstract: A pallet unit consisting of a stack of articles on a pallet is wrapped both vertically and horizontally with a foil band by orbiting a wrapping satellite in a vertical plane while the unit is supported on a pair of support arms which pass through the orbit for vertical wrapping and the orbit is swung into a horizontal position and raised and lowered for horizontal wrapping of the unit. The vertical wrapping is only effected along two vertical sides of the stack and the foil wrap passes between the skids of the pallet.

Abstract: Packaging of articles or sets of articles (31) uses both of helical wrapping material (17) and incorporated longitudinal material (18). Helical wrapping station (14) in a gap (16) between infeed (12) and outfeed (13) conveyors passes helical wrapping material (17) transversely of the direction of travel of the article (31). The longitudinal band(s) of material (18) can serve for positively transporting the articles (31) across the gap (16).

Abstract: A method of wrapping a tray of produce or other articles requiring ventilation is provided. A ventilated package produced in accordance with the method is also provided. In accordance with the method, a sheet of flexible plastic film is applied to an open ended tray. The sheet includes a perforated portion which is bounded by non-perforated lateral edge portions. The sheet is positioned with respect to the tray such that the perforated portion is located over the open end of the tray while the non-perforated lateral edge portions extend over opposing portions of the rim of the tray and down the side walls thereof. The sheet is stretched in such a manner that the non-perforated lateral edge portions are subject to more severe stretching than the perforated portion of the sheet. The sheet accordingly will not tend to tear despite the presence of perforations.

Abstract: Stretch wrapping packaging material on a load includes introducing stretch wrap packaging material onto V shaped tips of projecting portions of a first grooved roller so that the packaging material spans the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved roller. The web of packaging material and the first grooved roller are transported in the direction generally parallel to the grooves. The web of packaging material spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved roller is impinged with V shaped tips of projecting portions of a second grooved roller. The tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved roller are transported at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved roller.

Abstract: A method of packaging articles and packaged article assemblies disclosed includes inflating a body such as a latex balloon or a bag with a drawstring preferably by evacuating the air in a chamber surrounding the body while the body is supported and sealed at the fill opening. An initial selected quantity of packaging particles are placed inside the inflated body followed by placing the article therein. The body is collapsed around the particles which distributes them in a substantially uniform layer surrounding the article from all sides and applies compressive forces inwardly from all sides to cushion the article in the body. Another method involves expanding an outer body, placing packaging particles in that body, collapsing that outer body and placing a second body in the outer body followed by expansion of the two and putting a fluid and article in the inner body and sealing the bodies closed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretch wrapping a load with a film web having a tacky surface and a non-tacky surface. The film web is wrapped around the load in a forward direction with the tacky surface facing away from the load. The orientation of the film web is reversed by inserting a metal rod in the path of the film web and reversing the wrapping direction. The film web wraps around the metal rod, thereby causing the film web to fold back on itself. The film web is wrapped around the load in the reverse direction to cover the film web which was wrapped in the forward direction, with the tacky side facing the film web which was wrapped in the forward direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping the top and sides of a load. A web dispenser dispenses and stretches web on the direction in which it is dispensed. The load is rotated relative to the web dispenser as web is wrapped onto the load. The web dispenser is positioned in an orientation generally parallel to the sides of the load for wrapping the sides of the load, and is changed to an orientation generally parallel to the top of the load for covering the top of the load. A web supply may change orientation along with the web dispenser or may be fixed relative to the web dispenser in an orientation generally parallel to the sides of the load. When the web supply is fixed, an accumulator is provided for accumulating web. The accumulator dispenses web when the web dispenser is changing orientation and when the web dispenser is in the orientation generally parallel to the top of the load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for severing packaging material which extends between successive wrapped loads during a continuous packaging process. A conveyor assembly conveys the wrapped loads along a load path in a conveying direction. The conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor portion having a discharge area and a second conveyor portion having a receiving area downstream and a step down from the discharge area of the first conveyor portion. A severing assembly includes a severing element located above the second conveyor portion for severing the packaging material between loads. A pivoting breakaway mechanism permits the severing element to pivot in the conveying direction. An escapement mechanism, responsive to load sensors, transports the severing element to a position spaced from the load path when the severing element encounters a load.

Abstract: A vertical foam wrapping machine can rewrap rolls of carbonless paper having damaged packaging in satellite locations without the need for returning the rolls of paper to the manufacturing facility for rewrapping. The machine includes a lift device with a vertically adjustable arm. Foam wrap and stretch film are positioned on this arm and are fed to the roll of carbonless paper resting on a turntable in front of the lift device. The turntable has a rigid platform upon which the paper sits. This platform is nonmovable relative to the turntable and has a diameter less than the diameter of the roll paper. In this manner, a lower section of the roll of paper adjacent the lower edge remains exposed. As the turntable rotates, foam wrap and stretch film are wrapped around the roll of paper. Due to the exposure of the lower edge, the foam wrap and stretch film can cover this lower edge. Accordingly, both the lower and upper edges of the roll of paper can be wrapped with protective foam wrap and stretch film.

Abstract: Respectively disclosed is a method of temporarily protecting a surface of a top coating of a coating finished automobile, which method comprieses (A) adhering a plastic film having a releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to a body surface of the coating finished automobile and/or (B) heating a heat-shrinkable plastic film to be shrinked so as to fit to an intended shape and to cover the body surface of the coating finished automobile; which method comprises applying to the body surface of the coating finished automobile a plastic film prepared by intermittently coating a releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to cover the body of the coating finished automobile; which method comprises covering the body surface of the coating finished automobile with a plastic film having a rough surface on a side contacting with a coating surface, and fixing a terminal of the film and heating, when needed, to cover in conformity with a body shape; and which method comprises subjecting a plastic film to vacuum for

Abstract: A method for unwinding packaging film is provided for a carriage which includes a stand, a supporting shaft for a film reel and a roller device, and the carriage is intended to be incorporated in a packaging machine for wrapping loads. Plastic film is removed from a roll and is longitudinally stretched between two rollers, has its width reduced and longitudinal creases put into it, and is associated with the load to be wrapped. Between the stretching rollers and end film unwinding roller, the film passes through a slit of a creasing member which reduces the width of the film by forming longitudinally extending creases along its width. The overall width reduction of the film is controlled by controlling the longitudinal angle of the slit relative to the axis of the stretch and unwinding rollers.

Abstract: A method of wrapping articles in plastic, whereby the cross-section of the article dictates variations in the length of plastic web required at various times, with a mechanical wrapper that revolves around the article and has at least one take-off cylinder rotating at a rate controlled in accordance with a sequence of values that depends on the article's cross-section, and releasing plastic in the length required at a particular time. The sequence of values exploited for controlling the take-off cylinder (7) is determined during at least the first revolution of the winder (5) by measuring the stress on the web downstream of the take-off cylinder in the accordance with the angle (.PHI.) of the winder, is stored in a memory (15), and is appropriately standardized for varying the rate of rotation of the take-off cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling a plurality of articles with carriers in a connected carrier strip. The apparatus and method separates the strip of carriers assembled with a plurality of articles to form discrete packages of a plurality of articles by dividing the carrier strip horizontally tranversely to the path of travel of the articles and the assembled carrier strip. The portion of the apparatus for separating the articles is positionable between groups of articles moving along a path of travel and provides tensioning of the carrier strip between groups of articles to facilitate dividing the carrier strip along weakened lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for packaging books. The book(s) to be packaged are placed upon a rectangular flat cardboard sheet (11), followed by pulling over the book/books a separate plastic film or paper (17), which is transverse relative to the cardboard sheet and whose ends are fastened to the cardboard sheet to its top surfaces (14) adjacent the long edges thereof, and the ends of said cardboard sheet are folded around an article to be packaged for producing a tubular protective wrapping.

Abstract: A method of unitizing a cargo of multiple substantially identical high density hay bales into a non-palletized unit capable of being handled by a fork lift truck or the like comprises the steps of selecting a plurality of substantially identical high density bales of hay, arranging the plurality of bales of hay into at least one layer of multiple horizontal rows, and wrapping multiple layers of an elongated continuous sheet of pre-stretched polymeric film having a memory horizontally around the plurality of bales of hay.

Abstract: The process and apparatus of the present invention includes a conveyor for applying a continuous sheet of plastic to the tops of a plurality of beverage containers, the tops and chines of which are smaller than the outer diameters of the containers. A heating element applies heat through openings in a mask placed between the heater and the plastic and softens portions of the plastic in areas in alignment with the tops of the containers but smaller than the container tops. An unsoftened portion of the plastic surrounds the softened portion in alignment with the chines of the containers and a forming plate pushes the plastic sheet against the container tops so that the softened portion is above the tops, and the unsoftened portion snaps around and beneath the chines.

Abstract: A heat seal assembly and method for securing stretch-film wrapped about a package, which assembly grasps and aligns two strips of roped film wraps, heats adjacent faces of the roped film sections and thereafter compresses these heated faces to weld them to each other and secure the film wrap about the package.

Abstract: Packaging made of card or similar material for packing a plurality of objects, the packaging comprising a body having a ring of sides and a bottom, thereby defining a volume for receiving said objects, and at least one sheet of shrinkable synthetic material fixed to said body for covering said plurality of objects and for holding the objects in place in said volume by said sheet being shrunk, said bottom being constituted by a plurality of flaps each of which is connected via a corresponding fold line to the bottom longitudinal edge of said ring of sides, said sheet being fixed to at least one of said bottom flaps which is covered, at least in part, by at least one other one of said bottom flaps is such a manner as to clamp said sheet between said flaps.

Abstract: A number of glass sheets of given size are stacked flatwise on a tray having on its upper surface dampers for preventing the glass sheets from slipping. The stacked glass sheets are fixed relatively to each other, and the fixed glass sheets are transferred with the tray to a storage location. The transferred glass sheets and the tray are stored in the storage location.

Abstract: An enhancement of the cling property of stretch wrap is obtained by adding a linear styrenic elastomer having a melt index between about 5 and about 10 g/10 mins to the cling layer of a film in addition to the usually added tackifiers. The invention enhanced cling layer films can be produced as A/B, A/B/A OR A/B/C films.

Abstract: A method for banding a palletized load is provided for a fixed table machine with stationary load where the reel of film is displaced about the load and unwound as a consequence thereof to form at least one turn of the band whereupon the band of film is transversely cut, the last end part of the band of film is combined with the banded load and the new first end part of the film is secured and the banded load removed. During at least one stage of the banding, the reel of film is displaced in a path forming a horizontal loop and, in this stage, the band of unwound film is deviated and offset in the vertical direction to avoid irregular wrinkling of the film.

Abstract: This is a stretch bundler for use in bundling a variety of loads. A method and apparatus description defines this invention by the use of the novel film gripper mechanism used. The gripper mechanism stretches the width of a film while holding its leading edge. It then releases the film and continues the bundling operation by rotating a film dispenser thereabout and dispensing the film around the load.

Abstract: A wiring harness is enshrouded in a tubular length of stretchable material. The shroud holds pigtails, takeouts, connectors, harness hold-downs and the like which otherwise extend from the harness against a trunk of the harness so that it can be inserted through an opening in a firewall or other structural member of a motor vehicle or other product for installation of the harness. Once inserted through the opening, the shroud is removed, preferably by means of a closure device which initially maintains the shroud as a tubular structure but can be removed to open at least a portion of the tubular structure to facilitate shroud removal. To facilitate installation of the shroud onto a wiring harness, the shroud is initially stretched over a tubular applicator to expand the shroud.

Abstract: The problem involved in wrapping a stretched plastic film around a load by rotating the load and the plastic film feed roll is often that the film will not adapt well enough to the shape of the load, will not form an elastically tensioned package, and will not necessarily be by its stretch ratio and thickness sufficiently uniform and suitable for the product in question. In the present invention, a method has been developed for wrapping a stretched plastic film around the circumference of a load by rotating the load and the plastic film feed roll each about its axis in order to unwind the stretchable plastic film from the feed roll and to wrap the stretched plastic film around the circumference of the load and by braking the plastic film in order to stretch it between the braking point and the wrapping point. The advantages of the invention are based on the fact the braking power which induces the stretching of the plastic film is regulated on the basis of the circumferential speed of the load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a top sheet and stretch wrapping includes a dispenser for dispensing a sheet from a roll of sheet material and a trough for receiving, containing and collapsing the dispensed sheet. A circulating bar draws the dispensed sheet from the trough over the top of a load by moving from a starting position to a finishing position above and across the top of the load while another bar returns from the finishing position to the starting position to position the dispensed sheet proximate to a hot wire which severs the sheet from the roll from which it is dispensed. A suspended flexible strip rests on top of the load for holding the sheet in place on top of the load. The trough, circulating bars and depending flexible strip are mounted on a frame which is movable in the vertical direction.

Abstract: The invention involves a method of wrapping a roll wherein a sleeve wrap having a width substantially equal to the width of the paper roll is wraped around the cylindrical portion of the roll. A head of the same size as the end of the roll is coupled to each end of the roll. A stretch wrap is then wrapped around the ends of the roll so that approximately one-half of the stretch wrap covers a portion of the end of the roll and the other one-half lies in the same plane as the head. An end band may also be wrapped over the stretch wrap at each end of the roll. The invention also involves an apparatus that includes a trim slitter for trimming the sleeve wrap to the same size as the width of the roll.

Abstract: A wrapping machine, particularly for wrapping cigarette packets in wrapper film, includes a series of endless band conveyors (148, 152, 156, 166, 170) carrying pushers (150, 154, 158, 172) for moving successive packets (191) along a straight wrapping line. One of the pushers (158) is heated to seal a wrapper seam. Opposed heated band conveyors (166) simultaneously seal end folds of the wrapper. Packets are gripped between opposed conveyors (145, 148) immediately after intercepting a wrapper (100). Partially-wrapped packets are arranged to slide relative to surfaces (149, 153, 157, 180) to attain wrap tightness. Successive conveyors (e.g. 156, 170) are independently driven to allow phasing of the conveyors to vary the position at which packets are transferred between them.

Abstract: In a method for stretching plastic involving a stretching device incorporated into a stretch wrap machine for producing stretched plastic for wrapping a load, means are provided for stretching a sheet of stretchable plastic material at an angle across one or more stretching devices. The method comprises stretching the plastic over a plurality of generatrices in substantially parallel arrangement, moving the generatrices in an eccentric path about a central axis, and moving the generatrices in the axial directions, in staggered coordination. The movement of the generatrices imparts a biaxial stretch pattern upon the plastic and produces a neck down pattern.

Abstract: A method of packaging articles and packaged article assemblies disclosed includes inflating a body such as a latex balloon or a bag with a drawstring preferably by evacuating the air in a chamber surrounding the body while the body is supported and sealed at the fill opening. An initial selected quantity of packaging particles are placed inside the inflated body followed by placing the article therein. The body is collapsed around the particles which distributes them in a substantially uniform layer surrounding the article from all sides and applies compressive forces inwardly from all sides to cushion the article in the body. Another method involves expanding an outer body, placing packaging particles in that body, collapsing that outer body and placing a second body in the outer body followed by expansion of the two and putting a fluid and article in the inner body and sealing the bodies closed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wrapping apparatus having a frame, a reciprocally driven carriage moveably mounted on the frame, the carriage being adapted to hold a rotatable roll of stretchable film material and a film width varying mechanism. A driven rotatable turntable adapted to support a load is positioned adjacent to the frame, and the leading edge of the film material is held adjacent the load. A brake is connected to the film roll to restrict movement of the web of material from the roll and the film width varying mechanism is mounted in the material path so that the film web travels through a pivotable "C" shaped assembly of the film width varying mechanism to collapse the film web width so that the web edges are formed into rope configurations connected by a membrane of film.

Abstract: A wipe down method for use on web wrapping devices used to unitize a multiple unit wrapped load. The wipe down method has multible steps including an extensible wiper support and a wiper element having one or more strips, one of which is doubled back along a portion of its length to form a load engaging loop. The strips being flexible along focal points when in contact with a load and moving parallel with the load wiping the wrapped load as it passes the wiper support.

Abstract: An article stack unifying device having article stacking elements is provided to stack a plurality of articles on a surface on or of a rotatable surface. While the articles are being stacked on the selected surface a quantity of wrapping film is wrapped around the stack of articles at intervals during the stacking process and at the completion of the stack.

Abstract: A plastic film is stretched both breadthwise and longitudinally just before it is wound around a load for wrapping. Stretching of the film is performed by passing the film between stretching rolls each having alternate peripheral ridges and grooves and arranged such that the ridges on each roll mesh with the grooves on the other roll.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for seaming and cutting off a wrapping film wrapped about a product, a wrapping film holder moves the wrapping film against the film already wrapped about the product. Then, hot air from within the film holder is blown against the wrapping film for seaming and cutting off the film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for inserting objects into balloons. The apparatus preferably includes a housing having a balloon chamber and a vacuum pump chamber therein. The balloon chamber is large enough to accommodate an inflated balloon and has a lid through which the inflated balloon can pass. The vacuum pump chamber houses a vacuum pump which is in gaseous communication with the balloon chamber in order to create a vacuum therein. The lid includes an adjustable mechanism for first expanding and then maintaining a balloon orifice in an expanded condition to enable access to the interior of the balloon in a position in which the balloon extends downwardly from the lid to a position inside the balloon chamber. The vacuum pump may then be actuated to cause the balloon to inflate within the balloon chamber so that the desired object may be inserted through an access opening in the lid to the inside of the balloon.

Abstract: A device and method of constructing articles of fresh cut parts of plants and artificial decorative embodiments. The packaging is characterized by enveloping such articles with an inflated balloon. The article being placed in an open container, a balloon is then inflated and receives the article and container and is then securely attached to the container, thereby enclosing the article. A device for constructing the packaged article employs a rigid conduit which is received in the balloon to facilitate reception of the article and container. The gas used to inflate the balloons can be air or nitrogen. If cut flowers are used, the container is provided with some water and plant food.

Abstract: An elevator package wrapping machine comprises a film gripper for initially drawing fixed lengths of film into the machine. While the film is held by the film gripper and side clamps, a package is elevated into the film such that the height of the package draws a first addition to the film drawn by the gripper, if required. Film side and rear underfolders fold the lateral edges of the film and the rear edge of the film extending from the film source under the packages, respectively. A film cutter is provided for severing the film from its source as the packages are being wrapped, and the cutter is controlled such that the timing of its operation is based on package length. By timing the operation of the film cutter to correspond to package length, a second film addition may be drawn by the rear underfolder during package wrapping, if required.

Abstract: Packages to be wrapped, weighed and labeled are fed manually into an infeed station of a wrapping and weighing machine from an operator's position. A conveyor then carries them to a wrapping station. The packages are automatically wrapped at the wrapping station and returned to a weighing scale positioned above the infeed station at the operator's position where the packages are weighed and a label is printed adjacent the weighing scale and within convenient reach of the operator. The label is then manually applied by the operator as the wrapped and weighed package is removed from the scale. The wrapping station engages in continued cyclic operation so long as there are any packages in the machine. However, the conveyor operates on a demand basis in response to the placement of packages into the infeed. When a package is sensed, the conveyor goes through one operating cycle in synchronism with the operation of the wrapping station.

Abstract: The package (10) for shipping and storing articles such as cut flower arrangements (14) includes a flower container (12) lower portion is provided with a water-containing absorbent foam block (18) receiving the flower stems (38) in pierced relation and a block (20) of non-absorbent, relatively rigid foam, above the absorbent block sealing said block and said flower stems in place. A plastic film vented shell (16) is disposed about the flowers and connected to the container in shrink-wrap relation. The package includes U-shaped insert (22) which holds the container firmly in place in the shipping carton (24) and refrigerated gel envelopes to ensure freshness of the flowers on arrival at their destination.

Abstract: This is a stretch bundler for use in bundling a variety of loads. A method and apparatus description defines this invention by the use of the novel film gripper mechanism used. The gripper mechanism stretches the width of a film while holding its leading edge. It then releases the film and continues the boundling operation by rotating a film dispenser thereabout and dispensing the film around the load.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dispensing a web of material including; at least one roller adapted to engage said web; structure for rotationally driving said roller when said web is drawn from said roller at a preselected force; planetary gear assembly associated with said driving structure for varying the rate of rotationally driving said roller in response to variation in said force drawing said web from said roller so as to maintain said drawing force at said preselected level.

Abstract: A method of filling a balloon with articles and air wherein a container having a removeable cover having an outlet pipe therein the latter is evacuated after the opening of a balloon is attached to said pipe within the container to thereby expand the balloon and permit articles to be placed therewithin through the pipe. A stopper is then placed in the pipe and the air pump shut off whereby the end of the balloon can be tied off.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for exchanging film rolls during a wrapping operation in a wrapping machine which is arranged to wind wrapping film around the product being packaged, the product being stationary or rotated around a horizontal axis. The wrapping machine includes a film distribution sledge provided with tension rolls mounted on a rotatable wrapping crank. A cassette or the like holding a plurality of new film rolls is provided at a film roll exchange station. A transfer sledge removes an old film roll or bushing from the film distribution sledge and transfers a new film roll or bushing from the cassette into the film distribution sledge. A device is provided at the exchange station for passing an end region of the film of the new film roll over the tension rolls of the film distribution sledge to a grasping member during the film roll exchange operation.

Abstract: Stretch wrapping apparatus that uses two rollers 17,18 rotating at different speeds to stretch a web or wrapping material has problems of slippage when applied to wrapping grass. These are ameliorated by forming the roller surfaces with projections 32, e.g. by applying a mesh or (better) forming axial corrugations. The surfaces are preferably of metal, particularly aluminum.

Abstract: An overhead stretched film wrapping apparatus, wherein the carriage carrying the film dispenser is adjustable upwardly or downwardly during the overhead wrapping; pre-stretched film dispensing devices and gantry mounted variations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a foam wrapped package for protecting a roll of pressure-sensitive carbonless copy paper. Interleaved foam and film are wrapped under tension around the outer periphery of the roll of carbonless paper by selectively rotating the roll and separately feeding packaging foam and stretch film toward the rotating roll.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination including a pallet having a horizontal supporting surface. A stack of objects is piled upon the pallet, and a flexible sheet member is wrapped around the perimeter of the stack and secured together at its opposite ends for holding the various objects in the stack against falling during the transporting of the pallet.

Abstract: Articles are stretch wrapped in a plastic film by forming a tube around them from a flat plastic film, sealing the longitudinal edges of the film and then longitudinally stretching the tube to cause it to constrict on the articles being wrapped. The tube is initially of a sufficient diameter to avoid contact with the articles. Both the articles and the tube are conveyed downstream. The tube is fed downstream by a positive transport means which isolates the tube forming operation from any downstream tension. A downstream mechanism pulls on the tube faster than the positive transport means conveys it causing the tube to stretch and constrict on the articles to be wrapped. The tube is closed behind each set of articles and the downstream portion is severed from the upstream portion forming a tube terminus behind one set of articles and in front of the next set.

Abstract: A film web is dispensed from a film web dispenser and wrapped around a bundle by moving the bundle into an applicator mandrel, revolving the film web dispenser relative to the applicator mandrel, dispensing the film web from the film web dispenser on to the applicator mandrel at a constant supply speed. The film web, wrapped around the applicator mandrel, is transported beyond the downstream end of the applicator mandrel, the bundle is moved beyond the downstream end of the applicator mandrel and the film web is applied from the applicator mandrel onto the bundle so as provide a containment force in the film web after it is applied onto the bundle. A dual stage wrapping system is used in such a manner that each orbinting dispenser is restrained to dispense the film web at a constant supply speed less than the lowest film demand speed at the applicator mandrel and independent of the tension on the film web between the film web dispenser and the applicator mandrel.