U.S. patent application number 12/816136 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-16 for wrapping apparatus having top loading and threading dispenser.
Invention is credited to Richard L. Johnson, Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Curtis W. Martin, Philip R. Moore, Joseph D. Norris.
Application Number | 20100313525 12/816136 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42712063 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100313525 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin; Curtis W. ; et
al. |
December 16, 2010 |
WRAPPING APPARATUS HAVING TOP LOADING AND THREADING DISPENSER
Abstract
A packaging material dispenser may include a roll carriage
having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a base plate
separating the upper portion from the lower portion. The packaging
material dispenser may also include a packaging material dispensing
assembly mounted on an upper surface of the base plate and defining
at least a portion of a packaging material path. A first portion of
the packaging material path may extend behind the packaging
material dispensing assembly. The upper portion of the roll
carriage may include an opening defining a packaging material path
access area positioned to provide access to a top of the packaging
material path. The packaging material dispenser may also include a
packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism extending
below the base plate.
Inventors: |
Martin; Curtis W.;
(Georgetown, KY) ; Moore; Philip R.; (Mt.
Washington, KY) ; Norris; Joseph D.; (Pleasureville,
KY) ; Johnson; Richard L.; (La Grange, KY) ;
Lancaster, III; Patrick R.; (Louisville, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Family ID: |
42712063 |
Appl. No.: |
12/816136 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61213489 |
Jun 15, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/461 ; 242/564;
53/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 41/16 20130101;
B65B 11/025 20130101; B65B 2011/002 20130101; B65B 11/006 20130101;
B65B 11/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/461 ; 53/203;
242/564 |
International
Class: |
B65B 11/00 20060101
B65B011/00; B65H 16/10 20060101 B65H016/10 |
Claims
1. A packaging material dispenser comprising: a roll carriage
having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a base plate
separating the upper portion from the lower portion; a packaging
material dispensing assembly mounted on an upper surface of the
base plate and defining at least a portion of a packaging material
path, a first portion of the packaging material path extending
behind the packaging material dispensing assembly; the upper
portion of the roll carriage including an opening defining a
packaging material path access area positioned to provide access to
a top of the packaging material path for insertion of packaging
material into the packaging material path; and a packaging material
dispensing assembly drive mechanism extending below the base
plate.
2. The packaging material dispenser of claim 1, wherein packaging
material in the first portion of the packaging material path
extends behind one or more packaging material dispensing rollers of
the packaging material dispensing assembly.
3. The packaging material dispenser of claim 2, wherein the
packaging material path includes a second portion extending in
front of the one or more packaging material dispensing rollers of
the packaging material dispensing assembly.
4. The packaging material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the opening
extends between the packaging material dispensing assembly and a
column on which the packaging material dispenser is movably
mounted.
5. The packaging material dispenser of claim 4, wherein the base
plate is cantilevered.
6. The packaging material dispenser of claim 1, wherein the
packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism includes a
low profile housing.
7. The packaging material dispenser of claim 6, wherein the
packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism includes a
sprocket coupled to a first packaging material dispensing roller of
the packaging material dispenser assembly.
8. The packaging material dispenser of claim 7, wherein the
packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism includes a
drive belt coupling the sprocket to a packaging material dispensing
assembly drive.
9. A packaging material dispenser comprising: a roll carriage
having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a base plate
separating the upper portion from the lower portion; a packaging
material dispensing assembly mounted on an upper surface of the
base plate and defining at least a portion of a packaging material
path, an upstream portion of the packaging material path extending
behind the packaging material dispensing assembly, and a downstream
portion of the packaging material path extending in front of the
packaging material dispensing assembly; at least one of the
upstream portion and the downstream portion being accessible for
receiving packaging material via one or more passageways at the top
of the roll carriage; and a drive assembly for the packaging
material dispensing assembly, the drive assembly extending below
the base plate.
10. The packaging material dispenser of claim 9, wherein the
upstream portion extends through a gap along a side of the
packaging material dispensing assembly facing a surface of a column
to which the packaging material dispenser is movable mounted.
11. The packaging material dispenser of claim 10, wherein the
downstream portion includes a space extending along a side of the
packaging material dispensing assembly facing away from the
column.
12. The packaging material dispenser of claim 9, wherein at least a
portion of the downstream portion has a serpentine shape.
13. A packaging material dispenser comprising: a roll carriage
having a base plate on which a packaging material dispensing
assembly is mounted; a packaging material path for packaging
material being dispensed by the packaging material dispensing
assembly, the packaging material path including a substantially
U-shaped configuration including a first leg through which
packaging material is drawn in a first direction, a second leg
through which packaging material is drawn in a second direction
different than the first direction, and a connecting portion
connecting the first leg to the second leg, wherein at least one of
the first leg and the second leg is accessible for receiving
packaging material via one or more passageways at a top of the roll
carriage; and a drive assembly for the packaging material
dispensing assembly, the drive assembly extending below the base
plate.
14. The packaging material dispenser of claim 13, wherein the first
direction is upstream.
15. The packaging material dispenser of claim 13, wherein the
second direction is downstream.
16. The packaging material dispenser of claim 13, wherein at least
a portion of the second leg has a serpentine shape.
17. A wrapping apparatus for wrapping a load, comprising: a
packaging material dispenser including a roll carriage having a
base plate on which a packaging material dispensing assembly is
mounted, and a packaging material path for packaging material being
dispensed by the packaging material dispensing assembly, the
packaging material path having a substantially U-shaped
configuration; a column on which the packaging material dispenser
is movably mounted, wherein the base plate is cantilevered to
provide a gap between the packaging material dispensing assembly
and a surface of the column, providing access to at least a portion
of the packaging material path for insertion of packaging material
into the packaging material path; and means for providing relative
rotation between the packaging material dispenser and the load.
18. The wrapping apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least a portion
of the gap extends between a top portion of the roll carriage and
the surface of the column.
19. A wrapping apparatus for wrapping a load, comprising: a
packaging material dispenser including a packaging material
dispensing assembly; a roll carriage having a base plate on which
the packaging material dispensing assembly is mounted, and a
packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism mounted
below the base plate; and a load support surface configured to
support the load during wrapping, wherein the load support surface
includes an opening configured to allow the at least a portion of
the packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism to pass
below the load support surface.
20. The wrapping apparatus of claim 19, wherein the load support
surface includes a rotatable turntable.
21. The wrapping apparatus of claim 20, wherein the load support
surface includes a based configured to rotatably support the
rotatably turntable.
22. A packaging material dispenser comprising: a packaging material
dispensing assembly; a roll carriage having a base plate on which
the packaging material dispensing assembly is mounted; and a cover
assembly including a door with a hinged end rotatably coupled to
the roll carriage and a free end opposite the hinged end, the free
end being configured to selectively engage a top portion of the
roll carriage, wherein the door is configured to move between at
least one open position and a closed position to position packaging
material against the packaging material dispensing assembly.
23. The packaging material dispenser of claim 22, wherein the free
end includes a first portion of a latch assembly.
24. The packaging material dispenser of claim 23, wherein the top
portion of the roll carriage includes a second portion of the latch
assembly configured to receive the first portion of the latch
assembly.
25. The packaging material dispenser of claim 22, further including
at least one idle roller rotatably mounted on the door.
26. The packaging material dispenser of claim 24, wherein with the
door in the closed position, the at least one idle roller is
configured to press the packaging material against at least one
packaging material dispensing roller of the packaging material
dispensing assembly.
27. A method for wrapping a load, comprising: inserting packaging
material downward into a first portion of a packaging material
path, the first portion extending behind one or more packaging
material dispensing rollers of a packaging material dispensing
assembly mounted on a base plate; providing relative rotation
between the packaging material dispensing assembly and the load;
and driving the packaging material dispensing assembly to dispense
packaging material for wrapping the load using a drive assembly
mounted below the base plate.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein inserting packaging material
downward into a first portion includes inserting packaging material
behind prestretch rollers of the packaging material dispensing
assembly.
29. The method of claim 27, further including opening a door
covering at least a portion of the packaging material dispensing
assembly and inserting packaging material into a space between the
open door and the one or more packaging material dispensing
rollers.
30. The method of claim 29, further including closing the door to
bring one or more idle rollers rotatably mounted on the door into
engagement with the packaging material inserted into the space.
31. The method of claim 30, further including clamping the inserted
packaging material between the one or more idle rollers and the one
or more packaging material dispensing rollers.
32. A method for wrapping a load, comprising: inserting packaging
material downward into a packaging material path of a packaging
material dispensing assembly mounted on a base plate of a roll
carriage, wherein inserting includes inserting a first portion of
packaging material downward into an upstream portion of the
packaging material path behind the packaging material dispensing
assembly, and inserting a second portion of packaging material
downward into a downstream portion of the packaging material path
in front of the packaging material dispensing assembly; providing
relative rotation between the packaging material dispensing
assembly and the load; and driving the packaging material
dispensing assembly to dispense packaging material for wrapping the
load using a drive assembly mounted below the base plate.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein inserting a first portion of
packaging material includes inserting the first portion into a gap
between the packaging material dispensing assembly and a column on
which the roll carriage is movable mounted.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein inserting a second portion of
packaging material includes opening a door covering a side of the
packaging material dispensing assembly to create a space, and
inserting the second portion into the space.
35. The method of claim 34, further including closing the door to
clamp the second portion of packaging material between one or more
idle rollers rotatably mounted on the door and the packaging
material dispensing assembly.
36. A method for wrapping a load, comprising: inserting packaging
material downward into a substantially U-shaped packaging material
path of a packaging material dispensing assembly mounted on a base
plate of a roll carriage, wherein inserting includes inserting a
first portion of packaging material downward into a first leg of
the packaging material path, through which packaging material is
drawn in a first direction, and inserting a second portion of
packaging material downward into a second leg of the packaging
material path, through which packaging material is drawn in a
second direction different than the first direction; providing
relative rotation between the packaging material dispensing
assembly and the load; and driving the packaging material
dispensing assembly to dispense packaging material for wrapping the
load using a drive assembly mounted below the base plate.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein inserting a first portion of
packaging material downward into a first leg includes inserting the
first portion into a gap between the packaging material dispensing
assembly and a column on which the packaging material dispensing
assembly is movably mounted for vertical travel.
38. The method of claim 36, wherein inserting a second portion of
packaging material downward into a second leg includes opening a
door covering a side of the packaging material dispensing assembly
to create a space between the door and the packaging material
dispensing assembly, and inserting the second portion into the
space.
39. The method of claim 38, further including closing the door to
clamp the second portion of packaging material between one or more
idle rollers rotatably mounted on the door and the packaging
material dispensing assembly.
40. A method for wrapping a load, comprising: dispensing packaging
material with a packaging material dispensing assembly mounted on a
base plate of a roll carriage; driving the packaging material
dispensing assembly to dispense packaging material with a packaging
material dispensing assembly drive mechanism mounted below the base
plate; providing relative rotation between the packaging material
dispensing assembly and the load; and moving at least a portion of
the packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism into an
opening in a load support surface supporting the load such that the
at least a portion of the packaging material dispensing assembly
drive mechanism moves below the load support surface.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/213,489,
filed Jun. 15, 2009, the complete disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a wrapping apparatus for
wrapping a load with packaging material, and more particularly, to
a wrapping apparatus having a top loading and threading packaging
material dispenser.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various packaging techniques have been used to build a load
of unit products and subsequently wrap them for transportation,
storage, containment and stabilization, protection, and
waterproofing. Products may be stacked as a load on a pallet to
simplify handling of the products. The load is commonly wrapped
with packaging material. One system uses a stretch wrapping machin
to stretch, dispense, and wrap stretch packaging material around a
load. Stretch wrapping can be performed as an inline, automated
packaging technique that dispenses and wraps packaging material in
a stretch condition around a load to cover and contain the load.
Stretch wrapping, whether accomplished by a turntable, rotating
arm, or vertical rotating ring, typically covers the four vertical
sides of the load with a stretchable packaging material, such as
polyethylene packaging material. In each of these arrangements,
relative rotation is provided between the load and the packaging
material dispenser to wrap packaging material about the sides of
the load.
[0004] Conventional stretch wrapping apparatuses employ a packaging
material dispenser having two closely spaced rollers to stretch
between them a web of thermoplastic stretch packaging material.
Such a stretch wrapping apparatus performs admirably in
accomplishing its intended goal of wrapping a load with a stretched
web of packaging material. However, the procedure of loading and
threading the packaging material through the series of rollers in
the packaging material dispenser prior to operation of the stretch
wrapping apparatus has been found to be time consuming and
difficult.
[0005] It is preferable that a stretch wrapping apparatus with
pre-stretch rollers have the following features. The upstream and
downstream pre-stretch rollers should be closely spaced during
operation to prevent neckdown of the packaging material as it is
being substantially stretched in the dispensing direction. Since
the forces exerted on a web of packaging material between the
pre-stretch rollers is very significant, for example in the order
of 50 pounds of force, the frame and the mounting of the
pre-stretch rollers should be required to be very sturdy. The
surface of the pre-stretch rollers should be covered by the
packaging material over a sufficient extent such that the packaging
material does not slip on the pre-stretch rollers. The rotational
inertia of the pre-stretch rollers should not be so high as to
require excessively high power to vary their velocity. To
accommodate these requirements, a series of idle rollers are used
to support the packaging material proximate to the pre-stretch
rollers. As a result, the packaging material follows a tortuous
path around the closely-spaced pre-stretch and idle rollers. The
downstream pre-stretch roller has a faster surface speed than the
upstream pre-stretch roller. This stretches the packaging material
between the upstream and downstream pre-stretch rollers in the
dispensing direction.
[0006] Before operating a stretch wrapping apparatus having
pre-stretch rollers, it is necessary to load and thread the
packaging material along the tortuous path. The increased numbers
of rollers in the packaging material dispenser for pre-stretch, and
the close spacing of such rollers with their effective
interconnection for pre-stretching the packaging material prior to
dispensing the packaging material on the load, makes it very
difficult to thread the packaging material through the pre-stretch
portion of the packaging material dispenser. This loading and
threading is difficult and time consuming since, due to the close
spacing of the rollers, an operator cannot manually carry the
packaging material between the rollers. Rather, the operator must
feed the packaging material from one side of each roller nip with
one hand and pull the packaging material from the other side of the
roller nip with the other hand. This procedure is rendered
considerably more difficult because of the large widths of the webs
of packaging material that are used commercially. Such webs
generally have a width in the range of 10 to 30 inches. Other
problems in loading and threading resulted from the fact that the
operator is required to place his fingers proximate to the nip of
the rollers and blindly feed the packaging material from the rear
of the frame which carried the rollers, which makes the threading
operation difficult and more time consuming.
[0007] The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more
of the problems set forth above, as well as other problems
associated with loading and threading a packaging material
dispensers.
SUMMARY
[0008] In accordance with this disclosure, embodiments of a
packaging material dispenser including one or more packaging
material dispensing rollers for dispensing packaging material is
provided. Embodiments of an apparatus for wrapping a load including
a packaging material dispenser having one or more dispensing
rollers for dispensing packaging material also are provided.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, a
packaging material dispenser may include a roll carriage having an
upper portion and a lower portion, and a base plate separating the
upper portion from the lower portion. The packaging material
dispenser may also include a packaging material dispensing assembly
mounted on an upper surface of the base plate and defining at least
a portion of a packaging material path. A first portion of the
packaging material path may extend behind the packaging material
dispensing assembly. The upper portion of the roll carriage may
include an opening defining a packaging material path access area
positioned to provide access to a top of the packaging material
path. The packaging material dispenser may also include a packaging
material dispensing assembly drive mechanism extending below the
base plate.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, a
packaging material dispenser may include a roll carriage having an
upper portion and a lower portion, and a base plate separating the
upper portion from the lower portion. The packaging material
dispenser may also include a packaging material dispensing assembly
mounted on an upper surface of the base plate and defining at least
a portion of a packaging material path. An upstream portion of the
packaging material path may extend behind the packaging material
dispensing assembly, and a downstream portion of the packaging
material path may extend in front of the packaging material
dispensing assembly. At least one of the upstream portion and the
downstream portion may be accessible via one or more passageways at
the top of the roll carriage. The packaging material dispenser may
also include a drive assembly for the packaging material dispensing
assembly, the drive assembly extending below the base plate.
[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of this disclosure a
packaging material dispenser may include a roll carriage having a
base plate on which a packaging material dispensing assembly is
mounted. The packaging material dispenser may also include a
packaging material path for packaging material being dispensed by
the packaging material dispensing assembly. The packaging material
path may include a substantially U-shaped configuration including a
first leg through which packaging material is drawn in a first
direction. The packaging material path may also include a second
leg through which packaging material is drawn in a second direction
different than the first direction, and a connecting portion
connecting the first leg to the second leg. At least one of the
first leg and the second leg may be accessible via one or more
passageways at a top of the roll carriage. The packaging material
dispenser may also include a drive assembly for the packaging
material dispensing assembly, the drive assembly extending below
the base plate.
[0012] In accordance with yet another aspect of this disclosure, a
wrapping apparatus for wrapping a load may include a packaging
material dispenser. The packaging material dispenser may include a
roll carriage having a base plate on which a packaging material
dispensing assembly may be mounted. The packaging material
dispenser may also include a packaging material path for packaging
material being dispensed by the packaging material dispensing
assembly. The packaging material path may have a substantially
U-shaped configuration. The wrapping apparatus may also include a
column on which the packaging material dispenser is movably
mounted. The base plate may be cantilevered to provide a gap
between the packaging material dispensing assembly and a surface of
the column, providing access to at least a portion of the packaging
material path. The wrapping apparatus may also include means for
providing relative rotation between the packaging material
dispenser and the load.
[0013] In accordance with yet another aspect of this disclosure, a
wrapping apparatus for wrapping a load may include a packaging
material dispenser. The packaging material dispenser may include a
packaging material dispensing assembly. The packaging material
dispenser may also include a roll carriage having a base plate on
which the packaging material dispensing assembly is mounted, and a
packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism mounted
below the base plate. The wrapping apparatus may also include a
load support surface configured to support the load during
wrapping. The load support surface may include an opening
configured to allow the at least a portion of the packaging
material dispensing assembly drive mechanism to pass below the load
support surface.
[0014] In accordance with yet another aspect of this disclosure, a
packaging material dispenser may include a packaging material
dispensing assembly, and a roll carriage having a base plate on
which the packaging material dispensing assembly is mounted. The
packaging material dispenser may also include a cover assembly
including a door with a hinged end rotatably coupled to the roll
carriage and a free end opposite the hinged end. The free end may
be configured to selectively engage a top portion of the roll
carriage. The door may be configured to move between at least one
open position and a closed position to position packaging material
against the packaging material dispensing assembly.
[0015] In accordance with yet another aspect of this disclosure, a
method for wrapping a load may include inserting packaging material
downward into a first portion of a packaging material path. The
first portion may extend behind one or more packaging material
dispensing rollers of a packaging material dispensing assembly
mounted on a base plate. The method may also include providing
relative rotation between the packaging material dispensing
assembly and the load. The method may also include driving the
packaging material dispensing assembly to dispense packaging
material for wrapping the load using a drive assembly mounted below
the base plate.
[0016] In accordance with yet another aspect of this disclosure, a
method for wrapping a load may include inserting packaging material
downward into a packaging material path of a packaging material
dispensing assembly mounted on a base plate of a roll carriage.
Inserting may include inserting a first portion of packaging
material downward into an upstream portion of the packaging
material path behind the packaging material dispensing assembly.
Inserting may also include inserting a second portion of packaging
material downward into a downstream portion of the packaging
material path in front of the packaging material dispensing
assembly. The method may also include providing relative rotation
between the packaging material dispensing assembly and the load.
The method may also include driving the packaging material
dispensing assembly to dispense packaging material for wrapping the
load using a drive assembly mounted below the base plate.
[0017] In accordance with yet another aspect of this disclosure, a
method for wrapping a load may include inserting packaging material
downward into a substantially U-shaped packaging material path of a
packaging material dispensing assembly mounted on a base plate of a
roll carriage. Inserting may include inserting a first portion of
packaging material downward into a first leg of the packaging
material path, through which packaging material is drawn in a first
direction. Inserting may also include inserting a second portion of
packaging material downward into a second leg of the packaging
material path, through which packaging material is drawn in a
second direction different than the first direction. The method may
also include providing relative rotation between the packaging
material dispensing assembly and the load. The method may also
include driving the packaging material dispensing assembly to
dispense packaging material for wrapping the load using a drive
assembly mounted below the base plate.
[0018] In accordance with yet another aspect of this disclosure, a
method for wrapping a load may include dispensing packaging
material with a packaging material dispensing assembly mounted on a
base plate of a roll carriage. The method may also include driving
the packaging material dispensing assembly to dispense packaging
material with a packaging material dispensing assembly drive
mechanism mounted below the base plate. The method may also include
providing relative rotation between the packaging material
dispensing assembly and the load, and moving at least a portion of
the packaging material dispensing assembly drive mechanism into an
opening in a load support surface supporting the load such that the
at least a portion of the packaging material dispensing assembly
drive mechanism moves below the load support surface.
[0019] In accordance with yet another aspect of this disclosure, a
method for wrapping a load may include opening a door having a
hinged bottom end rotatably coupled to a base plate to provide an
opening between the door and a packaging material dispensing
assembly mounted on the base plate. The method may also include
inserting a length of packaging material into the opening. The
method may also include moving the door to close the opening and
thereby position the length of packaging material on the packaging
material dispensing assembly. The method may also include
dispensing packaging material with the packaging material
dispensing assembly, and providing relative rotation between the
packaging material dispensing assembly and the load.
[0020] Additional objects and advantages of the disclosed
embodiments will be set forth in part in the description that
follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may
be learned by practice of the embodiments. The objects and
advantages of the embodiments may be realized and attained by means
of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
[0021] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features
claimed.
[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a wrapping apparatus,
including a packaging material dispenser, according to an aspect of
the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a portion of the packaging
material dispenser of FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the present
disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows an isometric view similar to that of FIG. 2,
with a cover assembly of the packaging material dispenser in an
open position, according to an aspect of the present
disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a close-up perspective view of a portion of the
wrapping apparatus of FIG. 1, with the cover assembly of the
packaging material dispenser in an open position, according to an
aspect of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a close-up perspective view of a portion of the
wrapping apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the present
disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a close-up perspective view of a hinge assembly
of the packaging material dispenser of FIG. 1, with the cover
assembly in a first open position, according to an aspect of the
present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows a close-up perspective view of the hinge
assembly of the packaging material dispenser of FIG. 1, with the
cover assembly in a second open position, according to an aspect of
the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows a close-up perspective view of a bottom portion
of the packaging material dispenser of FIG. 1, including a drive
housing, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 9 shows a close-up perspective view of a bottom portion
of the stretch wrapping apparatus of FIG. 1, with the drive housing
removed, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 10 shows a schematic top view of portions of the
wrapping apparatus of FIG. 1, with the cover assembly in an open
position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 11 shows a schematic top view of portions of the
wrapping apparatus of FIG. 1, with the cover assembly in a closed
position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 12 shows a schematic top view of portions of another
wrapping apparatus, according to an aspect of the present
disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 13 shows a schematic top view of portions of yet
another wrapping apparatus, according to an aspect of the present
disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 14 shows a top view of the packaging material dispenser
of FIG. 1 with a cap removed, according to an aspect of the present
disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 15 shows a bottom view of the packaging material
dispenser of FIG. 1 with the drive housing removed, according to an
aspect of the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Reference will now be made to the present exemplary
embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts.
[0039] In accordance with the present disclosure, embodiments of a
wrapping apparatus are provided, the wrapping apparatus being
provided for wrapping a load with packaging material. In an
exemplary embodiment, stretch wrap packaging material is used,
however, various other packaging materials such as netting,
strapping, banding, or tape can be used as well. As used herein,
the terms "packaging material," "packaging material," "web," and
"packaging material web" are interchangeable.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 may include a packaging
material dispenser 102 for dispensing packaging material 104, and
means for providing relative rotation between a load 101 and the
packaging material dispenser 102 so that packaging material 104 can
be wrapped around load 101. The means may include a rotatable
turntable assembly, a horizontal rotatable ring assembly, a
vertical rotatable ring assembly, or a rotatable arm assembly.
Apparatus 100 includes a rotatable turntable 188 on which load 101
is supported during the wrapping process. Rotatable turntable 188
may be a low-profile turntable. As used herein and generally
understood in the art, a low profile turntable is a rotatable
turntable having a load support surface that is less than or equal
to 3 inches above a floor surface supporting the turntable.
Apparatus 100 may also include a column 156, on which packaging
material dispenser 102 is mounted for vertical travel along column
156. While packaging material 104 is being dispensed by packaging
material dispenser 102, relative rotation between packaging
material dispenser 102 and load 101, which may be provided by
rotatable turntable 188, may wrap packaging material 104 around
load 101. Combining that relative rotation with vertical travel of
packaging material dispenser 102 along column 156 may provide for
wrapping of load 101 with packaging material 104 in a spiral-like
fashion.
[0041] Before wrapping of load 101 may begin, packaging material
104 must be loaded into and threaded through packaging material
dispenser 102. Loading packaging material dispenser 102 includes
placing a roll 118 of packaging material 104 onto a roll support
120, as shown, for example, in FIG. 5. Roll support 120 may be
similar to the roll support shown in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2009/0235617, filed as application Ser. No.
12/409,407, entitled "WRAPPING APPARATUS HAVING TOP LOADING AND
THREADING PACKAGING MATERIAL DISPENSER," filed Mar. 23, 2009, the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. A door 108
that is part of a cover assembly 106 of packaging material
dispenser 102 may be opened, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7. An
operator may open door 108 by pulling on a handle 173. Pulling on
handle 173 may release a latch assembly 172 by, for example,
releasing a bolt 171 from a catch 176. Door 108 may rotate about a
pivot 117. A hinge assembly 114 may include a groove 192 for
guiding door 108 from its closed position to first and second open
positions. Door 108 may include a protrusion 113 configured to be
received in groove 192. As door 108 swings open by pivoting about
pivot 117, protrusion 113 may slide upward along a first portion
194 of groove 192. When protrusion 113 reaches an upper end of
first portion 194, door 108 is in a first open position (FIGS. 3,
4, and 6), creating a space 166 between door 108 and a packaging
material dispensing assembly, such as a prestretch assembly 122,
into which packaging material 104 can be loaded. If the operator
continues to pull handle 173, hinge assembly 114 may rotate about
pivot 119 in a clockwise direction toward column 156, aligning
protrusion 113 with a lower end of a second portion 196 of groove
192. As door 108 swings wider open by pivoting about pivot 117,
protrusion 113 may slide upward along second portion 196 of groove
192. When protrusion 113 reaches an upper end of second portion
196, door 108 is held in a second open position (FIG. 7), thus
increasing accessibility into space 166, and allowing greater
access to internal components of packaging material dispenser
102.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, a portion of leading portion 190 of
packaging material 104 may be pulled off of roll 118, and may be
inserted downward into a gap 144. Gap 144 may open downward into a
first portion 160 of a packaging material path 159 that extends
behind prestretch assembly 122 and in front of at least a portion
of column 156. For example, gap 144 may extend between prestretch
assembly 122 and a plane formed by a surface of column 156. First
portion 160 of packaging material path 159 is easily accessible via
the top of packaging material dispenser 122. Packaging material 104
may travel in a first direction 125 (FIGS. 10 and 11), relative to
packaging material dispenser 102, when moving through first portion
160.
[0043] With door 108 opened to either of the first and second open
positions, another portion of leading portion 190 of packaging
material 104 may be wrapped around a side of prestretch assembly
122 and inserted in a space 166 between open door 108 and a front
of prestretch assembly 122. As door 108 is closed (FIGS. 1, 2, and
11), idle rollers 150, 151, and 152, rotatably mounted on door 108,
may press packaging material 104 against an idle roller 153 and one
or more packaging material dispensing rollers. The one or more
packaging material dispensing rollers may include an upstream
prestretch roller 124 and a downstream prestretch roller 126. The
pressing provides traction between packaging material 104 and
upstream and downstream prestretch rollers 124 and 126. Surfaces of
idle roller 150, idle roller 151, idle roller 152, idle roller 153,
upstream prestretch roller 124, and downstream prestretch roller
126 may form a second portion 168 of packaging material path 159
that may have a serpentine form, (e.g., S-shaped or W-shaped), as
shown, for example, in FIG. 11, and similar to that which can be
found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0235617.
Packaging material 104 may travel in a second direction 127 (FIGS.
10 and 11), relative to packaging material dispenser 102, when
moving through second portion 168 of packaging material path 159. A
third portion 170 of packaging material path 159, extending along a
side of prestretch assembly 122, connects first portion 160 and
second portion 168 of packaging material path 159, such that first
portion 160, second portion 168, and third portion 170 of packaging
material path 159 together form a substantially U-shaped path for
packaging material 104.
[0044] An operator may close door 108 by pushing door 108 toward
prestretch assembly 122. If door 108 is in its second open
position, the force on door 108 may rotate door 108 about pivot
117, causing protrusion 113 to travel downward along second portion
196 of groove 192. Protrusion 113 may press against a lower edge of
groove 192, causing hinge assembly 114 to rotate in a
counterclockwise direction away from column 156, bringing
protrusion 113 against a lower end of second portion 196 (and a top
end of first portion 194), and into alignment with first portion
194 of groove 192, thus placing door 108 in its first open
position. As the operator continues to push door 108 toward
prestretch assembly 122, door 108 may continue to rotate about
pivot 117, and protrusion 113 may travel downward along first
portion 194 of groove 192. Eventually, as protrusion 113 reaches a
lower end of groove 192, latch assembly 172 may latch onto door
108, holding door 108 in its closed position. A stop 115 is
provided on hinge assembly 114 to absorb some of the force
associated with the closing of door 108. It is also contemplated
that door 108 may include a window 198 allowing an operator to view
internal components of packaging material dispenser 102 with door
108 in its closed position.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, downstream from packaging material
dispenser 102, leading portion 190 of packaging material 104 may be
attached to load 101, a location near load 101, or a clamp 186 on
rotatable turntable 188, in preparation for wrapping. Clamp 186 may
be similar to the packaging material holder described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,269,610, filed as application Ser. No. 09/137,119, entitled
"METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRETCH WRAPPING A LOAD," filed Aug. 20,
1998, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference.
[0046] As packaging material 104 is dispensed from roll 118, it may
travel in first direction 125 along first portion 160 of packaging
material path 159, reverse direction along third portion 170 of
packaging material path 159, and travel in second direction 127,
relative to dispenser 102, along second portion 168 of packaging
material path 159, before reaching load 101.
[0047] Packaging material dispenser 102 may include a roll carriage
112. Roll carriage 112 may include a top plate 116, a base plate
110, a roll support 120 mounted on base plate 110, and a vertical
support member 164 extending between top plate 116 and base plate
110, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6-8, 14, and 15. It is also contemplated
that at least a portion 111 of roll carriage 112 having one or more
rollers thereon may movably engage a track or frame within a space
(not shown) in column 156. Top plate 116 and base plate 110 may
rotatably support upstream prestretch roller 124, downstream
prestretch roller 126, and idle roller 153. "Upstream" and
"downstream," as used herein, are intended to define the direction
of movement relative to the flow of packaging material 104 through
packaging material dispenser 102. Movement in a direction that is
against the flow of packaging material 104 is defined as
"upstream," and movement in a direction that is with the flow of
packaging material 104 is defined as "downstream." "Upstream" and
"downstream," as used herein, do not (necessarily) describe the
positions of the rollers relative to roll support 120 for roll 118
of packaging material 104. Upstream prestretch roller 124 and/or
downstream prestretch roller 126 may be connected to a power
source, such as a drive motor 132 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; however,
they do not need to be, and upstream prestretch roller 124 and/or
downstream prestretch roller 126 therefore may be powered or
unpowered.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 14, upstream prestretch roller
124 and downstream prestretch roller 126 may be mounted on shafts
128 and 130, respectively. A first end of each of shafts 128 and
130 may be supported by base plate 110 of roll carriage 112, while
a second end of each of shafts 128 and 130 may be supported by top
plate 116 of roll carriage 112. A sprocket 134 is mounted
on/attached to shaft 128 of upstream prestretch roller 124 above
top plate 116, and similarly, a sprocket 136 is mounted on/attached
to shaft 130 of downstream prestretch roller 126 above top plate
116. The sprockets may be connected by a chain, belt, or any other
suitable connection 137, such that upstream prestretch roller 124
may be rotatably driven by the rotation of downstream prestretch
roller 126.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 15, a sprocket 141 may be mounted on
or otherwise attached to shaft 130 of downstream prestretch roller
126 below base plate 110. Sprocket 141 may be connected to a
sprocket 142 on drive motor 132 by a drive belt 145. Drive belt 145
may include, for example, a belt, a chain, a cable, one or more
gears, and/or any other suitable connection. Sprocket 141, sprocket
142, and/or drive belt 145, may be housed in a drive housing 182
below base plate 110 of roll carriage 112, as shown in FIG. 8.
Positioning roll carriage 112 above drive housing 182 allows roll
carriage 112 to be used to prevent debris from entering into drive
housing 182 from above.
[0050] Drive housing 182, and the components housed therein, may
have a relatively small vertical thickness as compared to
conventional drive components. This creates a low-profile drive
design, which allows packaging material dispenser 102 to move
through a wide range of vertical positions. Attempting to use
conventional drive components, instead of the low-profile drive
components, may not be feasible, or may be problematic, for at
least a few reasons.
[0051] Impacts between bottom-mounted drive components and an
object, such as, for example, the ground, a conveyor, or a machine
part, may cause damage, resulting in machine downtime. Thus, a
clearance must be maintained between the drive components and the
object, so that impacts can be avoided. Providing that clearance
requires moving the drive components vertically higher relative to
a load wrapping surface to provide a clearance distance between the
drive components and the object. The packaging material dispensing
components on the roll carriage, being positioned above the drive
components, must also be moved vertically higher by at least the
sum of the clearance distance and the thickness of the drive
components. The thicker the drive components, the farther away the
packaging material dispensing components are from the load wrapping
surface.
[0052] If the packaging material dispensing components are too high
relative to the load wrapping surface, they may have difficulty
wrapping the bottom surfaces of a load on the load wrapping
surface. Even greater difficulties arise if roping assemblies are
used to rope up the packaging material before it reaches the load,
since roping assemblies may move the packaging material even
higher, and thus, farther away from the load wrapping surface.
While the use of drive down rollers may help drive the packaging
material downward, its capacity to drive down packaging material to
a lower height has a limit. When that limit is exceeded, it may not
be able to drive the packaging material down any further, or may
fail to operate in a desired manner.
[0053] One way to avoid such problems associated with
bottom-mounted drive components is by eliminating mechanical drive
components, so that packaging material dispensing rollers mounted
on the roll carriage are driven by separate motors controlled by a
microprocessor unit. Such an arrangement, however, would increase
the complexity and cost of a system.
[0054] The overall vertical thickness of the low-profile drive
system including "low-profile" drive components, such as drive
housing 182, sprocket 141, sprocket 142, and drive belt 145, helps
avoid the above-described drawbacks. This is because the vertical
thicknesses of the low-profile drive components are less than that
of conventional components. Thus, packaging material 104 can be
dispensed at a height closer to the bottom surfaces of load 101
than would be possible with conventional components. In addition,
offsetting the height of roll support 120 relative to roll carriage
112 by, for example, lowering roll support 120 relative to roll
carriage 112, helps to compensate for the vertical thicknesses of
drive housing 182, the bottom sprocket of downstream prestretch
roller 126, sprocket 142, and drive belt 145. The offsetting of
roll support 120 may be similar to that which is shown in U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0235617. Furthermore,
providing an opening 146 in a support surface 148 of wrapping
apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 9, may allow drive housing 142
(removed in FIG. 9 for clarity) and the components housed therein
to move even further downward, further compensating for the
vertical thickness of those components. It is contemplated that
support surface 148 may include a surface on which rotatable
turntable 188 is rotatably mounted. Additionally or alternatively,
in the case where packaging material dispenser 102 is mounted on a
rotatable arm, support surface 148 may include a conveyor on which
a load rests during wrapping.
[0055] Packaging material dispenser 102 may also include a roping
and drive down assembly 184. Roping and drive down assembly 184 may
include at least one drive down roller assembly 185 and a roping
assembly 187 similar to those described in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2009/0235617, as well as U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2007/0209324 A1, filed as application Ser. No.
11/709,879, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING A LOAD TO A
PALLET WITH A ROPED PACKAGING MATERIAL WEB," filed Feb. 23, 2007,
the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference. For example, roping and drive down assembly 184 may
include one or more components similar to those shown in FIGS. 5-8
of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0209324 A1.
[0056] As embodied herein and shown in FIG. 12, a wrapping
apparatus 200 is contemplated having a packaging material dispenser
202 for dispensing packaging material 204. Packaging material
dispenser 202 may be similar to packaging material dispenser 102 in
some respects, and similar in other respects to the packaging
material dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-7 of U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2009/0235617.
[0057] For example, packaging material dispenser 202 may include a
roll carriage 212 including a base plate 210 and a top plate 216.
Base plate 210 may support a prestretch assembly 222 including an
upstream prestretch roller 224 (mounted for rotation on a shaft
228) and a downstream prestretch roller 226 (mounted for rotation
on a shaft 230). Upstream prestretch roller 224 and downstream
prestretch roller 226 may be cantilevered from base plate 210, and
supported by support members 274 and 276, similar to the
arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-7 of U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2009/0235617. Packaging material dispenser 202 may
also include idle rollers 250 and 254 for guiding packaging
material 204 along a packaging material path 259.
[0058] Packaging material path 259 has a general U-shape and is
illustrated in FIG. 12. Packaging material 204 may be dispensed
from a roll 218 of packaging material 204 supported on a roll
support 220. To initiate packaging material movement through
packaging material dispenser 202 in packaging material path 259,
packaging material 204 may be inserted downwardly through a gap
244, similar to gap 144 of packaging material dispenser 102,
between prestretch assembly 222 and column 256, such that packaging
material 204 lies in a first portion 260 of U-shaped packaging
material path 259 behind prestretch assembly 222, through which
packaging material 204 will be drawn in a first direction 225,
relative to dispenser 202, during wrapping. Packaging material 204
also may be inserted downwardly through one or more passages at the
top of roll carriage 212 such that packaging material lies in a
second portion 268 of packaging material path 259 in front of
prestretch assembly 222, through which packaging material 204 will
be drawn in a second direction 227 relative to dispenser 202 during
wrapping. Packaging material 204 also may lie in a third portion
270 of packaging material path 259 extending between first portion
260 and second portion 268. The one or more passages at the top of
roll carriage 212 may be similar to that which is shown in FIGS.
1-7 of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0235617.
[0059] It is also contemplated that packaging material dispenser
202 may include low-profile drive components similar to those that
are shown in FIGS. 1-7 of U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2009/0235617. Means for providing relative rotation between
packaging material dispenser 202 and the load may include, for
example, a rotatable turntable (not shown). Alternatively,
packaging material dispenser 202 may be vertically driven on a
rotatable arm (not shown) or a wrapping ring (not shown). Exemplary
embodiments of a rotatable turntable, a rotatable arm, and a
wrapping ring that may form a part of this disclosure are described
in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0235617.
[0060] As embodied herein and shown in FIG. 13, a stretch wrapping
apparatus 300 is contemplated having a packaging material dispenser
302 for dispensing packaging material 304. Packaging material
dispenser 302 may be similar to packaging material dispenser 102 in
some respects, and similar in other respects to the packaging
material dispenser shown in FIGS. 8-11 of U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2009/0235617.
[0061] For example, packaging material dispenser 302 may include a
roll carriage 312 including a base plate 310 and a top plate 316.
Base plate 310 may support a prestretch assembly 322 including an
upstream prestretch roller 324 (mounted for rotation on a shaft
328) and a downstream prestretch roller 326 (mounted for rotation
on a shaft 330). Upstream prestretch roller 324 and downstream
prestretch roller 326 may be cantilevered from base plate 310, and
supported by support members 374 and 376, similar to the
arrangement shown in FIGS. 8-11 of U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2009/0235617. Packaging material dispenser 302 may
also include idle rollers 350, 352, and 354 for guiding packaging
material 304 along a packaging material path 359.
[0062] Packaging material path 359 has a general U-shape and is
illustrated in FIG. 13. Packaging material 304 may be dispensed
from a roll 318 of packaging material 304 supported on a roll
support 320. To initiate packaging material movement through
packaging material dispenser 302 in packaging material path 359,
packaging material 304 may be inserted downwardly through a gap
344, similar to gap 144 of packaging material dispenser 102,
between prestretch assembly 322 and column 356, such that packaging
material 304 lies in a first portion 360 of U-shaped packaging
material path 259 behind prestretch assembly 322, through which
packaging material 304 will be drawn in a first direction 325
relative to dispenser 302 during wrapping. Packaging material 304
also may be inserted downwardly through one or more passages at the
top of roll carriage 312 such that packaging material lies in a
second portion 368 of packaging material path 359 in front of
prestretch assembly 322, through which packaging material 304 will
be drawn in a second direction 327 relative to dispenser 302 during
wrapping. Packaging material 304 also may lie in a third portion
370 of packaging material path 359 extending between first portion
360 and second portion 368. The one or more passages at the top of
roll carriage may be similar to that which is shown in FIGS. 8-11
of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0235617. It is also
contemplated that packaging material dispenser 302 may include
low-profile drive components similar to those that are shown in
FIGS. 8-11 of U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2009/0235617.
[0063] Means for providing relative rotation between packaging
material dispenser 302 and the load may include, for example, a
rotatable turntable (not shown) similar to rotatable turntable 188.
Alternatively, packaging material dispenser 302 may be vertically
driven on a rotatable arm (not shown) or a wrapping ring (not
shown). Exemplary embodiments of a rotatable turntable, a rotatable
arm, and a wrapping ring that may form a part of this disclosure
are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2009/0235617.
[0064] A method for loading and threading packaging material 104 in
packaging material dispenser 102 will now be described. With
packaging material 102 in a vertically low position, such as that
occupied at the end of a previous wrapping cycle (see FIG. 1), an
operator begins loading packaging material dispenser 102 by sliding
roll 118 onto roll support 120. The operator then grasps a leading
end of packaging material 104 from roll 118. The operator may pull
the leading end to produce leading portion 190. It is also
contemplated that the operator may form at least a portion of
leading portion 190 into a rope. The operator inserts a portion of
leading portion 190 downward through gap 144 into first portion 160
of packaging material path 159. The operator opens door 108 to
create space 166 between prestretch assembly 122 and door 108. At
third portion 170 of packaging material path 159, the operator
wraps a portion of leading portion 190 around upstream prestretch
roller 124. At second portion 168 of packaging material path 159,
the operator inserts a portion of the length of packaging material
into space 166. The operator then attaches the leading end of
packaging material 104 to load 101, a point near load 101, or clamp
186. Either before or after attaching the leading end, the operator
closes door 108 to pin leading portion 190 against upstream
prestretch roller 124, downstream prestretch roller 126, and idle
roller 153, using idle rollers 150, 151, and 152.
[0065] With the leading end being clamped or otherwise held,
relative rotation may be provided between load 101 and packaging
material dispenser 102, causing packaging material 104 to be
wrapped about load 101. Packaging material dispenser 102 may travel
vertically along column 156 from a bottom portion of load 101 to a
top portion of load 101, and then back down to the bottom portion,
while the relative rotation is being provided, to spirally wrap
packaging material 104 about load 101.
[0066] The method for loading packaging material in packaging
material dispensers 202 and 302 may be similar to the method
described above with respect to packaging material dispenser 102.
There are, however, differences between the methods.
[0067] With packaging material dispenser 202, once a portion of the
length of packaging material has been inserted downward through gap
244 into first portion 260 of packaging material path 259, the
operator wraps a portion of the length of packaging material around
idle roller 250 at third portion 270 of packaging material path
259. At second portion 268 of packaging material path 259, the
operator inserts a portion of the length of packaging material
downward through one or more passageways at the top of roll
carriage 212, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication
No. 2009/0235617. Then the operator may attach the leading end of
packaging material 204 to the load to be wrapped, a point near the
load, or a clamping device. With the leading end being clamped or
otherwise held, relative rotation may be provided between the load
being wrapped and packaging material dispenser 202, causing
packaging material 204 to be wrapped about the load. Packaging
material dispenser 202 may travel vertically along column 256 from
a bottom portion of the load to a top portion of the load, and then
back down to the bottom portion, while the relative rotation is
being provided, to spirally wrap packaging material 204 about the
load.
[0068] With packaging material dispenser 302, once a portion of the
length of packaging material has been inserted downward through gap
344 into first portion 360 of packaging material path 359, the
operator will wrap a portion of the length of packaging material
around idle roller 350 at third portion 370 of packaging material
path 359. At second portion 368 of packaging material path 359, the
operator may insert a portion of the length of packaging material
downward through one or more passageways at the top of roll
carriage 312, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication
No. 2009/0235617. Then the operator may attach the leading end of
packaging material 304 to the load to be wrapped, a point near the
load, or a clamping device. With the leading end being clamped or
otherwise held, relative rotation may be provided between the load
being wrapped and packaging material dispenser 302, causing
packaging material 304 to be wrapped about the load. Packaging
material dispenser 302 may travel vertically along column 356 from
a bottom portion of the load to a top portion of the load, and then
back down to the bottom portion, while the relative rotation is
being provided, to spirally wrap packaging material 304 about the
load.
[0069] Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to
those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification
and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended
that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary
only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated
by the following claims.
* * * * *