A method, apparatus and program product implement top layer containment operations to optimize containment of various types of loads such as loads with top/slip sheets, ragged topographies, and/or inboard portions. Bidirectional control of the elevation of a web of packaging material may be performed within one or more revolutions between a load and a packaging material dispenser to selectively engage one or more corners of the load with a web of packaging material while passing the web of packaging material inwardly of one or more other corners of the load.

A method for wrapping a load with a film uses a wrapping machine. The wrapping machine is provided with an unwinding apparatus including pre-stretching rollers, a return roller and a force sensor to measure a wrapping force of the film. The method includes rotating the unwinding apparatus and the load relative to one another with a rotation speed and unwinding the film, measuring an effective wrapping force of the film, filtering the effective wrapping force by a first filter, to obtain a filtered wrapping force, and calculating by a PID control algorithm an instant film length to be supplied per rotation based on the filtered wrapping force. The method also includes filtering the instant film length by a second filter, calculating an instant rotation speed of one pre-stretching roller based on the instant filtered film length and the rotation speed, and rotating the pre-stretching roller with the instant rotation speed.

A method for wrapping a load with a film uses a wrapping machine. The wrapping machine is provided with an unwinding apparatus including pre-stretching rollers, a return roller and a force sensor to measure a wrapping force of the film. The method includes rotating the unwinding apparatus and the load relative to one another with a rotation speed and unwinding the film, measuring an effective wrapping force of the film, filtering the effective wrapping force by a first filter, to obtain a filtered wrapping force, and calculating by a PID control algorithm an instant film length to be supplied per rotation based on the filtered wrapping force. The method also includes filtering the instant film length by a second filter, calculating an instant rotation speed of one pre-stretching roller based on the instant filtered film length and the rotation speed, and rotating the pre-stretching roller with the instant rotation speed.

There is provided a method of producing a packed body that does not fall off and collapse during transportation and does not cause damage to cartons and paper material locally and around which a packing film can be wound easily. A packed body production method includes a first step in which a layered body is formed by stacking cartons containing toilet paper rolls and in which an insertion section into which a fork unit of a forklift is inserted is formed at a predetermined position in the layered body, a second step in which a first packing film is wound spirally around at least side surfaces of the layered body, and a third step in which a second packing film is wound around the layered body so as to close an opening of the insertion section.

A wrapping machine comprising a base and a wrapping arm connected to the base and configured to be movable relative to the base. The wrapping arm includes a carriage vertically movable on the wrapping arm, with the carriage having a roll of wrap film. The wrapping machine also includes a bumper assembly movable with the wrapping arm. The bumper assembly includes a bumper and an actuator, wherein engagement of the bumper with an external object will actuate the actuator to stop movement of the wrapping arm about the product. The wrapping arm can include side tubes connected by a connection tube, with the side tubes forming a link recess between the side tubes. Each of the side tubes includes an exteriorly facing slot, with the carriage riding on the side tubes along the slot. A link moves within the link recess to move the carriage.

A method, apparatus and program product perform automatic load profiling to optimize a wrapping operation performed with a stretch wrapping machine. Automatic load profiling may be performed, for example, to determine a density parameter for a load that is indicative of load stability such that one or more control parameters may be configured for a wrapping operation based upon the density parameter. Automatic load profiling may also be performed, for example, to detect a load with a nonstandard top layer, e.g., a load with a top or slip sheet, a load with an easily deformable top layer, a load with a ragged top surface topography and/or a load with an inboard portion, such that a top layer containment operation may be activated during wrapping to optimize containment for the load.

A winding device for loads includes a reel-holder roll adapted for receiving a reel of an extensible plastic film; a vertical column, along which the reel-holder roll is movable; and a lifting plane adapted to receive a load movable along the column, so that the winding device can be used as both a winder and a lifter for forming the load.

A self-propelled wrapping machine movable around a load to wrap the load with a plastic film in a wrapping cycle, comprising a self-propelled carriage; a upright fixed to the carriage and slidably supporting an unwinding unit provided at least with a reel of film; a first gripping unit that is supported by the carriage, and is movable and arranged to hold and unwind an initial flap of film from the unwinding unit in an initial step of the wrapping cycle; and a second gripping unit that is supported by the carriage, and is movable and arranged to position and release an anchoring element on the initial flap of film in the initial step of the wrapping cycle so as to fix the initial flap of film to a supporting plane and to grasp and lift the anchoring element from the supporting plane so as to disengage it from the initial flap of film after at least one turn of the self-propelled wrapping machine around the load wrapping the load with the film supplied by the unwinding unit.

A manually operated stretch wrap device comprising: a rigid, cylindrical support member comprising: a proximal section adapted to support a stretch wrap roll, and to facilitate rotational dispensing of the stretch wrap from said roll, a distal section adapted to support a stretch wrap roll, and to facilitate rotational dispensing of the stretch wrap from said roll, and a center section adapted to be held by a person using one hand and adapted to facilitate rotational dispensing of the stretch wrap from the proximal and distal sections of the device.

A manually operated stretch wrap device comprising: a rigid, cylindrical support member comprising: a proximal section adapted to support a stretch wrap roll, and to facilitate rotational dispensing of the stretch wrap from said roll, a distal section adapted to support a stretch wrap roll, and to facilitate rotational dispensing of the stretch wrap from said roll, and a center section adapted to be held by a person using one hand and adapted to facilitate rotational dispensing of the stretch wrap from the proximal and distal sections of the device.