Wrapping a load while controlling wrap tension
AssigneeLantech, Inc.
InventorPatrick R. Lancaster, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stretch wrapping machine includes a film dispenser for dispensing packaging material and tensioning control means for controlling the tension of the packaging material during application to a load. The dispenser and tension controlling means may be used with a round frame, a frame with corners, a driving mechanism or a turntable, at least one of which will have signaling means for activating the tension controlling means.
Claims52
A method for automatically wrapping packaging material around a load having corners and for which demand for packaging material decreases as the packaging material approaches contact with a corner and increases after the packaging material intercepts a corner comprising:
- providing relative rotation between a load having corners and a packaging material dispenser to wrap the packaging material around the load;
- automatically varying the tension on the packaging material around the time the packaging material intercepts a corner of the load to apply substantially the highest tension during wrapping to the packaging material near each corner of the load, locking in substantially the highest tension on the packaging material during wrapping as each corner intercepts the packaging material.
A method for automatically wrapping packaging material around a load comprising:
- driving a packaging material dispenser around a frame having corners and for which demand for packaging material decreases as the packaging material dispenser approaches a corner and increases after the packaging material dispenser passes a corner to wrap packaging material around a load;
- automatically varying the tension on the packaging material around the time the packaging material intercepts a corner of the frame to apply substantially the highest tension during wrapping to the packaging material near each corner of the frame, locking in substantially the highest tension on the packaging material during wrapping as the packaging material dispenser passes a corner of the frame.
An apparatus for automatically wrapping packaging material around a load having corners and for which demand for packaging material decreases as the packaging material approaches contact with a corner and increases after the packaging material intercepts a corner comprising:
- means for providing relative rotation between a load having corners and a packaging material dispenser to wrap the packaging material around the load;
- means for automatically varying the tension on the packaging material around the time the packaging material intercepts a corner of the load to apply substantially the highest tension during wrapping to the packaging material near each corner of the load, locking in substantially the highest tension on the packaging material during wrapping as each corner intercepts the packaging material.
An apparatus for automatically wrapping packaging material around a load comprising:
- means for driving a packaging material dispenser around a frame having corners and for which demand for packaging material decreases as the packaging material dispenser approaches a corner and increases after the packaging material dispenser passes a corner to wrap packaging material around a load;
- and
- means for automatically varying the tension on the packaging material around the time the packaging material intercepts a corner of the frame to apply substantially the highest tension during wrapping to the packaging material near each corner of the frame, locking in substantially the highest tension on the packaging material during wrapping as the packaging material dispenser passes a corner of the frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.