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.

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 machine (1) for packaging an object, notably a sterilization basket (B), with at least one sterilization packaging material, notably a sterilization sheet (F), the machine comprising: a plate (10) configured to receive the sterilization packaging material (F) and the object to be packaged (B) placed on top, a gripping tool (110) configured to grasp hold of a corner (F1; F2; F3; F4) of the sterilization packaging material (F), the gripping tool (110) and the plate (10) being able to move relative to one another so as to allow the gripping tool (110) to bring the corner over the top of the object (B) and thus form at least one fold covering the object (B).

A method, apparatus and program product may utilize packaging material quality compensation to sense changes in certain characteristics of a packaging material that can be associated with increased risks of film breaks, and automatically make certain changes in machine settings to mitigate the impact of those enhanced risks.

Control of a wrapping apparatus is facilitated by enabling an operator to input a load containment force requirement and/or a minimum number of layers of packaging material to be applied to a load, with a wrap control system automatically determining wrap force and other parameters required to meet user input requirements and/or parameters to minimize the expertise required of an operator and to provide more consistent and reliable wrapping of loads. In addition, a wrapping apparatus may be controlled to apply at least a minimum number of layers of packaging material to a load throughout a contiguous region thereof.

A one-way clutch arrangement may be provided on a packaging material dispenser of a stretch wrapping machine in part to provide differing rates of rotation for upstream and downstream pre-stretch rollers in forward and reverse directions of the packaging material dispenser.

A method, apparatus and program product may evaluate a packaging material to determine various metrics associated with the packaging material. A test apparatus may be used to evaluate packaging material using a take up drum capable of sensing containment force imparted upon the drum by packaging material applied thereto, and in some instances, simulated flaws may be formed in a web of packaging material to evaluate a packaging materials response to such flaws when under tension.

A method, apparatus and program product may evaluate a packaging material to determine various metrics associated with the packaging material. A test apparatus may be used to evaluate packaging material using a take up drum capable of sensing containment force imparted upon the drum by packaging material applied thereto, and in some instances, simulated flaws may be formed in a web of packaging material to evaluate a packaging materials response to such flaws when under tension.

A method, apparatus and program product may evaluate a packaging material to determine various metrics associated with the packaging material. An apparatus may be used to sense flaws in packaging material, and in some instances, to accommodate such flaws by temporarily increasing a dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser.

A winding machine comprises an upright column, a winding machine base, a rotary mechanism, and a membrane frame. The bottom of the upright column housing main body and the winding machine base are connected by means of a first upright column cover plate and a second upright column cover plate to form a column shape. The upright column internally has a hoisting apparatus supporting frame. The lower end of the hoisting apparatus supporting frame is connected to the bottom inner side connecting piece. The upper end is connected to a top mounting rack of a hoisting apparatus. A lower portion mounting rack of the hoisting apparatus is connected to the bottom inner side connecting piece. A groove opening for ascending and descending movement is reserved on the upright column housing main body between the first upright column cover plate and the second upright column cover plate.