Stretch-wrapped package, process and apparatus

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.