Wrapping apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a material, such as stretch wrap, to a pallet stacked with objects is provided. Conventional pallet wrapping is labor intensive, causes back injuries, repetitive stress injuries and other work related injuries to users / operators. By contrast, the apparatus of the present invention is portable, light-weight, easy to use and reduces the risk of work place injuries. The apparatus includes an elongated handle having a first end and a second end and a retaining mechanism mounted on the elongated handle for securing a roll of material to the handle. The retaining mechanism includes a first retaining member secured to the first end of the elongated handle and a second retaining member secured to the second end of the elongated handle, where the roll of material is located between the roll of material.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119[0001]The present Application for Patent claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60 / 956,697 entitled “Wrapping Apparatus”, filed Aug. 18, 2007 and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to a wrapping apparatus for applying stretch wrap over and / or around objects, particularly objects and / or goods stacked on a pallet.BACKGROUND[0003]Stretch wrap is a highly stretchable plastic film that is wrapped around objects, goods and / or items. It is frequently used to unitize pallet loads but also may be used for bundling smaller items. In pallet unitizing, stretch wrap improves stability of products or packages, provides some degree of dust and moisture protection as well as some degree of tamper resistance and resistance to package pilferage.[0004]In one prior art approach, stretch wrap is manually applied to pallets. The stretch wrap is commonly supplied in a long roll, weighing 8-10 pounds, from...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an apparatus for applying a material, such as stretch wrap, to a pallet stacked with objects. The apparatus is portable, light-weight, easy to use and reduces the risk of work place injuries. The apparatus includes a retaining mechanism for securing a roll of material to the handle. The retaining mechanism includes a first retaining member and a second retaining member, with a lock pin inserted into the handle for securing the first retaining member to the handle. The first retaining member has a sleeve with an outer ring for supporting the bottom end of the roll of material, a washer adjacent to and contacting the sleeve, and a retaining pin adjacent to and inserted into the handle for holding the sleeve and washer in place. The second retaining member has a sleeve, a washer, a retaining pin, and a spring mounted on the handle for adjusting tension of the roll of material as it is dispensed. The apparatus also includes a cover mounted on the handle for adjusting tension in the spring. The method of using the apparatus involves placing the end of the apparatus next to an object, securing the material to the object, moving the apparatus around the object to cover uncovered portions, and tearing the material wrapped around the object from the roll for sealing the object."

Problems solved by technology

Conventional pallet wrapping is labor intensive, causes back injuries, repetitive stress injuries and other work related injuries to users / operators.

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