Film clamp and related methods and apparatuses for wrapping loads

An apparatus for clamping packaging material, comprising:

• a packaging material holder, including a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws, configured to receive a portion of packaging material;
• and
• a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping;
• at least a portion of the packaging material insertion tool received between the first and second jaws;
• wherein the insertion tool is a cantilevered element configured to engage a portion of the packaging material to force the portion of the packaging material into the jaw opening as the element is inserted into the jaw opening.

An apparatus for clamping packaging material, comprising:

• a packaging material holder, including a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws, configured to receive a portion of packaging material;
• a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping;
• at least a portion of the packaging material insertion tool received between the first and second jaws;
• and
• a support arm assembly configured to movably support the packaging material holder;
• wherein the packaging material holder is coupled to the support arm assembly by a wrist portion, the wrist portion being configured to allow the packaging material holder to rotate relative to the support arm assembly.

An apparatus for automatically positioning a leading end portion of a length of packaging material proximate a load, comprising:

• a packaging material holder including a jaw opening configured to receive the leading end portion;
• an insertion tool configured to insert the leading end portion into the jaw opening for clamping;
• and
• a support arm configured to movably support the packaging material holder and allow movement of the packaging material holder in a direction toward an axis of rotation for wrapping the load to position the leading end portion proximate the load.

A method for automatically connecting a leading end portion of a length of packaging material to a load, comprising:

• moving a packaging material holder in a direction toward an axis of rotation for wrapping the load to a position adjacent to a side of the load, the packaging material holder having a leading end of the packaging material clamped between jaws of the packaging material holder;
• overwrapping the leading end;
• releasing the overwrapped leading end;
• and
• automatically inserting a new leading end between the jaws with an insertion tool at an end of a wrapping cycle.

A method for automatically clamping a leading end portion of a length of packaging material, comprising:

• cutting a length of film extending from a corner of a wrapped load to a packaging material dispenser to form a leading end portion of packaging material extending from the packaging material in the packaging material dispenser, and a tail end portion extending to the wrapped load;
• actuating an insertion tool to insert the leading end portion into a packaging material holder, at least a portion of the insertion tool received in the packaging material holder;
• and
• clamping the leading end portion with the packaging material holder.

A method for wrapping a load with packaging material, comprising:

• positioning a leading end of film in a restricted jaw opening of a packaging material holder;
• pressurizing at least one portion of the packaging material holder to fix the leading end relative to the restricted jaw opening;
• wrapping packaging material around the load and the packaging material holder holding the leading end;
• and
• depressurizing the at least one portion of the packaging material holder to release the leading end.

An apparatus for wrapping a load with packaging material, comprising:

• a packaging material holder, including a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws, the jaw opening configured to receive a portion of packaging material;
• an assembly configured to engage the packaging material and insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping, at least a portion of the assembly received in the jaw opening;
• and
• a support assembly configured to support the packaging material holder;
• wherein the support assembly includes a rotatable support arm configured to rotate the packaging material holder toward and away from the load;
• and
• wherein the support assembly includes a wrist portion allowing relative rotation between the packaging material holder and the rotatable support arm about a longitudinal axis of the rotatable support arm.

A method for automatically clamping packaging material, comprising:

• engaging at least a portion of a length of packaging material extending from a corner of a wrapped load to a packaging material dispenser with an assembly;
• moving at least a portion of the assembly and the engaged packaging material into a jaw opening between a first jaw and a second jaw of a packaging material holder;
• and
• clamping the engaged packaging material in the jaw opening of the packaging material holder.

A method for wrapping a load with packaging material, comprising:

• pressurizing at least one inflatable element to at least partially fill an opening in a rigid element of a packaging material holder;
• and
• positioning packaging material in the opening with an element;
• wherein positioning the packaging material in the opening includes engaging packaging material with the element, and inserting the element into the opening.