Stretch-wrapped package, process and apparatus

This invention provides a process for making a unitary package which comprises a load that has a band formed of plural layers of a stretched material wrapped around it. Basically the process comprises the steps of: placing a load on a support; locating a rolled-up sheet of stretchable material on dispenser means adjacent to the support; withdrawing a leading edge of the material from the dispenser means and holding that leading edge against the load; initiating substantially unrestricted relative movement between the support and dispenser means to cause a sufficient amount of the material to overwrap at least a part of the load; subsequently continuing the relative movement but restricting it such that the material will then be stretched and causing a sufficient amount of the stretched material to be dispensed from the dispenser means to provide a band comprising plural layers of the material around the load; and fastening the trailing edge of the dispensed stretched material to at least one of the previously dispensed band-forming layers. The present invention is also directed toward a product that is produced by this process and to certain apparatus which can be utilized to perform this process.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for making a unitary package comprising:

a. support means for supporting a load; said support means comprising a base, shaft means rotatably mounted to said base and platform means secured to said shaft means;

b. dispenser means for holding a rolled-up sheet of a stretchable material positioned adjacent to said support means; said dispenser means comprising a frame a second shaft means rotatably mounted to said frame, said second shaft means being adapted to hold said rolled-up sheet of a stretchable material;

c. drive means connected to said support shaft means for rotating said support means, said drive means being adapted to effect relative movement between said support and dispenser means to cause a sufficient amount of said material to be dispensed from said dispenser means when interconnected by said stretchable material to overwrap said load; and

d. brake means connected to said dispenser second shaft means, said brake means being adapted to assume a plurality of positions relative to said second shaft means including a first position spaced away from said second shaft means for effecting substantially unrestricted movement of said material from said dispensing means to said load when said dispensing means is rotated and a second position of engagement with said second shaft means for restricting subsequent continuation of material movement from said dispenser means to said load while said dispenser means is being rotated so that said material will then be stretched permitting a sufficient amount of said stretched material to be dispensed from said dispenser means to provide a band comprising plural layers of said material around said load.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said brake means comprises; a brake drum secured to said dispenser shaft and adapted to rotate therewith, brake shoe means moveably mounted to said frame and adapted to engage said brake drum;

first spring means connected to said brake shoe means and placing a force on said brake shoe means to urge said brake shoe means away from said brake drum; and

second spring means connected to said brake shoe means adapted to be selectively operated to overcome the force of said first spring means to urge said brake shoe means against said brake drum.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including cutter means for severing said material from said dispenser means, said cutter means comprising a cutter bar defining a track mounted to said frame and knife means moveably mounted in said track.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 including an adjustable material holder comprising an upper journal member mounted to said frame and adapted to selectively accommodate material of various widths.

5. Apparatus for making a unitary package comprising:

a. support means for supporting a load; said support means comprising a base, shaft means rotatably mounted to said base and platform means secured to said shaft means;

b. dispenser means for holding a rolled-up sheet of a stretchable material positioned adjacent to said support means, said dispenser means comprising a frame, a shaft rotatably mounted to said frame, said shaft being adapted to hold said rolled-up sheet of a stretchable material and an adjustable journal mounted to said frame above said shaft;

c. drive means connected to said support shaft for rotating said support means, said drive being adapted to effect relative movement between said support and dispenser means when both are interconnected by said stretchable material to cause a sufficient amount of said material to be dispensed from said dispenser means to overwrap said load; an

d. brake means mounted to said dispenser means shaft, said brake means comprising a brake drum, a brake shoe means mounted to said frame and adapted to engage said brake drum, a first spring means connected to said brake shoe means, urging said brake shoe means away from engagement with said brake drum, a second spring means connected to said brake shoe having a force greater than said first spring means, to continuously place said brake shoe in engagement with said brake drum and release means engaging said second spring means, said release means when activated overcoming the force of said second spring means so that said first spring means urges said brake shoe away from said brake drum, said first spring means, second spring means and release means all being operable while said support means is being rotated, said brake means being adapted to assume a plurality of positions relative to said shaft including a first position for effecting substantially unrestricted movement of said material from said dispensing means to said load when said dispensing means is rotated and a second position for restricting subsequent continuation of material movement from said dispensing means to said load while said dispenser means is being rotated so that said material will then be stretched permitting a sufficient amount of said stretched material to be dispensed from said dispenser means to provide a band comprising plural layers of said material around said load.