Corner post application system

A corner post application system for a load containing a plurality of units defining corners of the load, said corner post application system comprising:

• a load support;
• an enveloping machine adapted to envelope the load with a film when the load is disposed on said load support;
• a plurality of corner post containers for storage of corner posts;
• a plurality of corner post applicators configured to grasp a corner post from a selected one of said corner post containers, wherein each said corner post applicator is configured to move a respective corner post to a load and engage the corner post with a respective corner of the load;
• and
• a plurality of moveable corner post holders each having a clamp, wherein said corner post holders are configured to move between a retracted position and an engaged position, and wherein in said engaged position said clamp is configured to engage a respective one of the corner posts to press the corner post against the load at the respective corner;
• wherein when said corner post holders are in said engaged position said corner post applicators are configured to be retracted with the corner posts being held in engagement with the corners of the load by said corner post holders to enable said enveloping machine to initiate placement of a film over the load, and wherein each said corner post holder comprises a drive unit and a clamp arm with said clamp mounted to said clamp arm, and wherein said drive unit is operable to move said corner post holder between said retracted position and said engaged position.