A machine (100) and a method for stabilising palletised loads (900) are described, comprising: a functional arrangement (105) provided with a reel (110) on which a covering tape (800) is wound, a gripping device (350) adapted to take a first end of the covering tape (800) wound on the reel (110) and to make it integral with the palletised load (900), a first movement apparatus (215) adapted to generate a relative motion of revolution of the functional arrangement (105) around the palletised load (900), according to a predetermined revolution axis (Z), a second movement apparatus (275) adapted to generate a relative motion of translation of the functional arrangement (105) with respect to the palletised load (900) in a direction parallel to the revolution axis (Z), a cutting device (115) placed in the functional arrangement (105) so as to separate the covering tape (800) from the reel (110), a fixing device (400) adapted to fix at least a second end of the covering tape (800) to the palletised load (900).

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.

Methods and apparatus for unitizing groups of individual packages into pallet loads, stabilizing the loads and facilitating general movement of the pallets, including the loading and unloading of pallets into and out of transport vehicles, includes wrapping the loads with stretchable crepe paper, rather than conventional plastic wrap material. Crepe paper can be produced and recycled with less environmental impact than plastic wrap. These methods involve a new use for crepe paper, and a new use for conventional plastic-wrapping equipment.

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 control system for controlling a cutting operation performed by at least one controllable components of an agricultural baler on a wrapping material incorporating a plurality of electronic identifiers is disclosed. The control system ensures that an electronic identifier is not damaged when the cutting operation is performed.

A machine for packaging an object with a sterilization packaging material the machine comprising: a plate configured to receive the sterilization packaging material and the object to be packaged placed on top, a gripping tool configured to grasp hold of a corner of the sterilization packaging material The gripping tool and the plate being are able to move relative to one another so as to allow the gripping tool to bring the corner over the top of the object and thus form a fold covering the object.

There is provided a method for wrapping a load comprising an upper portion defining an upper peripheral surface and a lower portion defining a lower peripheral surface. The method includes configuring a first material dispenser including a first material web in a first starting position and a second material dispenser including a second material web in a second starting position. The method includes and providing a rotation between the load and the material dispensers, such that, upon the rotation, the first material dispenser wraps the upper peripheral surface of the load with the first material web and the second material dispenser wraps the lower peripheral surface of the load with the second material web. The first material dispenser wraps the upper peripheral surface of the load simultaneously while the second material dispenser wraps the lower peripheral surface of the load during at least a portion of a wrapping cycle.

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 method, apparatus and program product monitor a wrap force during a wrap cycle to dynamically control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser to meet a desired containment force to be applied to a load. A conversion may be performed between wrap force and containment force for the monitored wrap force or a containment force parameter to facilitate the performance of a comparison between the monitored wrap force and a containment force parameter associated with the desired containment force to be applied to the load. A wrap force parameter may also be dynamically adjusted, and in some instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored wrap force, and may be used to meet a load containment force requirement for a load. In other instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored packaging material breaks to reduce the occurrence of packaging material breaks.

An apparatus includes a platform having an upper surface configured to support a napkin overlying the upper surface, and also having a cavity recessed from the upper surface. Means are provided for applying vacuum pressure in the slot to draw a napkin downward from the upper surface into the cavity, and for rolling the napkin in the cavity.