Apparatus and method for palletizing and wrapping a load

An apparatus for packing and wrapping a load containing a number of bundles, said apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor which receives said bundles;
• a positioning device located downstream of said conveyor which arranges said bundles into layers;
• a plate adjacent said positioning device which receives and discharges said layers;
• a chain-driven hoist;
• a wrapping device;
• a scissor lift mounted on said hoist, said hoist and said scissor lift combining to raise a pallet to receive successive layers from said plate, said scissor lift raising said pallet and said layers above said hoist and positioning said layers adjacent to said wrapping device, and said hoist and said scissor lift operating concurrently to raise and lower said layers;
• and
• a guide disposed about the perimeter of said plate which stabilizes said layers above said wrapping device;
• and wherein said wrapping device is located below said plate, said wrapping device including a ring and a stretch wrap dispenser which is supported so as to orbit about said layers, said wrapping device operating to dispense a stretch material about said layers, said layers being positioned within said ring as said stretch material is dispensed.

A method for palletizing and wrapping a load containing a number of bundles, said method comprising the steps of:

• feeding a plurality of said bundles onto a conveyor;
• arranging said bundles into a load layer on said conveyor by way of positioning structure associated with said conveyor;
• transferring said load layer onto a stripper plate associated with said conveyor;
• raising a pallet with a hoist located beneath said stripper plate;
• raising said pallet above said hoist to said stripper plate by way of a scissor lift mounted on said hoist;
• dropping said load layer from said stripper plate to said pallet;
• dispensing a wrapping material about the perimeter of said load layer;
• and
• lowering said pallet.