Method and apparatus for wrapping palletized bundles

A method for securing products deposited upon a pallet having a perimeter of a given shape, with a film derived from a supply roll, said film having a given width, comprising the steps of:

• a) placing an array of products upon a top surface of said pallet to form a first layer of products on said pallet;
• b) moving the pallet a given distance to pass said first layer into a hollow guide having a shape substantially conforming to the shape of the perimeter of said pallet to expose at least a side portion of said pallet beneath a lower edge of said guide, said exposed side portion being less than the width of said film;
• c) wrapping a loop of the film about an exposed side portion of said pallet so that the film engages exterior portions of said pallet and said guide so that forces that would otherwise be exerted upon said layer of products are substantially fully transferred to said pallet and said guide;
• and
• d) providing said guide with external surfaces that are inclined inwardly to facilitate separation of film looped about the guide from the guide.

Apparatus for wrapping film about products stacked upon a pallet for supporting said products in a loading/wrapping station, comprising:

• an elevator for receiving and supporting said pallet;
• a hollow guide through which an array of said products pass, for retaining products passing therethrough for deposit upon said pallet within a perimeter of said guide;
• a supply roll of said film;
• said supply roll being movable along a circular path;
• a supply roll drive for moving said supply roll along said circular path;
• said supply roll being positioned relative to said guide so that an upper portion of the film engages an exterior surface portion of said guide when the film is dispensed from said supply roll;
• said elevator lifting a pallet to a product receiving position;
• a transfer device for depositing a first array of products upon said pallet in the product receiving position;
• said supply roll drive being activated responsive to deposit of said first array of products upon said pallet to move said film along said path, said film having a width sufficient to engage exterior surfaces of said pallet and said guide so that wrapping forces created by said film are applied principally to said guide and said pallet to prevent displacement of said first array of products on said pallet;
• and
• said elevator lowering said pallet in readiness to receive another layer of products whereby a loop of film engaging said guide moves downwardly along said guide.

Apparatus for wrapping film about products stacked upon a pallet in a loading/wrapping station, comprising:

• an elevator for receiving and supporting a pallet;
• a hollow guide through which an array of said products pass, for retaining products passing therethrough for deposit upon a pallet within a perimeter of said guide;
• a supply roll of said film;
• said supply roll being movable along a circular path;
• a supply roll drive for moving said supply roll;
• said supply roll being positioned relative to said guide so that an upper portion of the film engages an exterior surface portion of said guide when the film is dispensed from said supply roll;
• said elevator lifting a pallet to a product receiving position;
• a transfer device for depositing an array of products upon a pallet in the product receiving position;
• said supply roll drive being activated responsive to deposit of an array of products upon said pallet to dispense said film, which has a width sufficient to engage exterior surfaces of said pallet and said guide so that wrapping forces created by said film are applied principally to said guide and said pallet to prevent displacement of said array of products on said pallet;
• said elevator lowering said pallet in readiness to receive another layer of products whereby a loop of film engaging said guide moves downwardly along said guide;
• and
• tapering exterior surfaces of said guide to facilitate separation of film looped about said guide as the elevator is lowered.

A method for loading and wrapping bundles on pallets, comprising:

• successively moving arrays of products adjacent to a movable transfer plate;
• then successively pushing at least two of said arrays on to the transfer plate arranged at a start position to form a first composite array;
• then moving the transfer plate from the start position to a second position above a guide arranged at a pallet loading station;
• then sweeping the first composite array off the transfer plate as it is moved to the start position to pass said first composite array downward through said guide to deposit said first composite array upon a pallet lifted to an upper position;
• then wrapping a film about the pallet and the guide so that the film engages outer sides of said pallet and said guide to divert most of the forces exerted by the film away from said first composite,array to prevent the first composite array from being displaced on said pallet;
• and
• then lowering the pallet as the film is being wrapped about the pallet and the guide in readiness to receive the next group of arrays to be delivered by the transfer plate.