A packaged-body producing method that minimizes damage to packaged bodies due to constriction or the like and that enables formation of packaged bodies in various shapes is provided. The method includes a first step in which a plurality of packages 10 accommodating toilet paper rolls or the like are stacked, and recesses are provided at predetermined positions of the stacked form; a second step in which a packaging film 20 is spirally wound on the sides of the package stack form; and a third step in which the packaging film 20 is wound so as to cover the circumference, including an upper end portion and a lower end portion, of the package stack form.

Packaging material may be profiled to generate an incremental containment force per revolution (ICF) attribute that is represented by a function that is variable as a function of wrap force. Moreover, the performance of different packaging materials, e.g., in terms of speed or cost, may be compared for a particular load through simulation of wrap operations based upon dimensions of the load and a desired load containment force requirement for the load.

An automatic roll change system for a stretch wrapping machine may include multiple mechanically-actuated load stations capable of being actuated by a common actuator assembly, as well as pivotable support members for use in positioning packaging material in a tortuous path for loading into a packaging material dispenser.

A self-propelled wrapping machine movable around a load to wrap the load with a film of plastic material, comprises a wrapping apparatus, which includes a supporting base, a column fixed thereto and an unwinding unit slidably supported by the column and suitable to supply the film unwound from a reel; and an automatic guided vehicle movable and arranged to be reversibly and automatically coupled to the supporting base in an assembled condition of the self-propelled wrapping machine to support and move the wrapping apparatus around the load and enable to wrap the load with the film.

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 method, apparatus and program product utilize a torque control algorithm constrained by a speed window to control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser when wrapping a non-cylindrical load with packaging material. In particular, a dispenser motor of the packaging material dispenser that is controlled by a VFD may be driven to maintain a substantially constant torque, while also constrained to operate within a speed window that is based at least in part on a rate of relative rotation between the packaging material dispenser and the load.

A utensil cover system includes a frame; and a first utensil cover. The first utensil cover has a first receptacle for receiving an end portion of a utensil; and a first tab extending from the first receptacle. The first tab and the first receptacle are separated by a line of weakness, and the utensil cover is temporarily attached to the frame via a connection member.

Systems and methods for securely identifying an item are disclosed. The method includes receiving an item, selecting a plastic wrap that is opaque and that includes a random pattern of markings, and wrapping the item with the plastic wrap, which protects the protects the item frons visual inspection with the opaque plastic and that secures the item with a unique fingerprint/code formed from the random pattern of markings.

A plastic film bundle, and apparatus and methods for forming the plastic film bundle are disclosed herein.

A pallet wrapping system with a support bar and at least two adjustment arms coupled to the support bar. The at least two adjustment arms are configured to narrow the width of a stretch film for wrapping a palletized load. Each of the adjustment arms has a captive nut, a stud, a guide, and an adjustment knob. The captive nut is coupled to and configured to translate along the support bar. The stud has a fixed end coupled to the captive nut and a free end extending away from the support bar. The guide has a cylindrical body with an aperture extending through the cylindrical body and a support flange extending outward from the cylindrical body. The stud extends through the aperture. The adjustment knob is coupled to the free end of the stud. The location of each of the adjustment arms along the support bar is adjustable.