Sheet wrapping system

Abstract

A handheld sheet wrapping system (10) for applying a sheet (13), such as a plastic film or paper, to items such as pallets. Included are sheet rolls (11) and a handheld sheet dispensing device (20) comprising a pole (21) with a distal end (22) to which a sheet roll (11) is mountable, an end stop device (30) which can be mounted to the distal end (22) of the pole (21) and a compression device (50) for the pole (21) which can be engaged to compress the device to hold the sheet roll (11) in place and further compressed to resist movement of the sheet roll (11) relative to the pole (21). The compression allows for the tension in the sheet material to be adjusted in line with the user's requirements.

Description

[0001] SHEET WRAPPING SYSTEM

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a sheet wrapping system for applying a sheet, such as a plastic film or paper, to items. The present disclosure further relates to a handheld film dispensing device and a method of operating the device and / or system. The system may in particular be a pallet wrapping system for applying a sheet to items mounted on a pallet for transportation.

[0004] Backoround

[0005] Plastic film, which is often referred to as pallet wrap or stretch film, is commonly wrapped around items, such as on a pallet, prior to shipment. The film holds the items together such that during transportation the products remain together mounted to the pallet. As a result, handling and stability is improved. The film is provided in rolls, such as by being wrapped around a cardboard tube. The film can be applied directly from the rolls to the products by hand, without any tool, but this risks injury to a user, such as to their hands or back, and can result in a lack of sufficient tightness of the film around the items.

[0006] As a result, various handheld tools have been proposed to hold the film rolls and improve the ease of application to the products. Examples include the Precisionrap ONYX sold by Western Plastics, Inc., the MANPLOW Stretch Wrap Dispenser sold by MANPLOW, the SSX12 stretch film dispenser sold by Southgate Global Limited, The Long Handled Dispenser sold by Kingfisher Packaging Ltd, the Nelson Wrap Dispenser sold by Nelson Wrap Dispenser, LLC and the ProWrap Long Handle Stretch Wrapper sold by Cargo Stop International Limited. However, in general, these existing products are overly complex, such that production costs are high, and breakages and misuse are more likely.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved handheld sheet wrapping system. Further objects include providing a system that is easy to operate, robust and ensures that wrap can be applied tightly around items.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a sheet wrapping system, a sheet dispensing device and a method in accordance with the claims. The sheet wrapping system may be referred to as a sheet wrapping apparatus.The disclosure provides a handheld sheet dispensing device comprising: a pole comprising a distal end and to which at least one sheet roll is mountable; an end stop device releasably mountable to the pole at the distal end; and a compression device mounted to the pole and selectively configurable in an engaged configuration in which the compression device is configured to hold the at least one sheet roll, by applying an axial force thereto, between the end stop and compression devices. The compression device may be configured to hold the at least one sheet roll such that rotation of the at least one sheet roll relative to the pole is resisted.

[0009] The end stop device may be releasably mounted to the pole at the distal end so that the end stop device can be selectively removed from the pole for mounting the at least one sheet roll onto the pole via the distal end.

[0010] The compression device may be separated from the distal end such that the at least one sheet roll is mountable between the end stop and compression devices.

[0011] The compression device may comprise a fixed pole part fixedly mounted to the pole such that the fixed pole part is non-rotatable and non-axially moveable relative to the pole, the fixed pole part comprising a second rotation locking element. The second rotation locking element may comprise at least one pin.

[0012] The compression device may comprise a roll contact part axially moveably mounted to the pole and comprising a compression surface and a first rotation locking element engaged with the second rotation locking element, wherein the engagement therebetween prevents rotation of the roll contact part and compression surface relative to the pole and allows the roll contact part to be axially moveable along the pole such that the compression surface is configured to selectively abut the at least one sheet roll. The first rotation locking element may comprise at least one elongate slot and the at least one pin may be mountable in and slidable along the at least one elongate slot.

[0013] The compression device may comprise an axial holding part mounted to the pole to be axially moveable along the pole and configured to selectively hold the roll contact part against the at least one sheet roll, the axial holding part comprising a first axial locking element configured to engage with a second axial locking element fixed axially to the pole, wherein the engagement therebetween selectively prevents axial movement of the axial holding part along the pole such that the compression surface is held in abutment against the at least one sheet roll.The compression device may be selectively operable to be moved from a disengaged configuration to an engaged configuration by operating the axial holding part to move the roll contact part to reduce the distance between the end stop and compression surfaces.

[0014] Preferably the compression device comprises a compression surface, and in the engaged configuration the compression surface is non-rotatable relative to the pole and abuts the at least one sheet roll to hold, by applying the axial force to, the at least one sheet roll. The end stop device is also preferably non-rotatable relative to the pole in the engaged configuration and preferably comprises an end stop surface. The axial force results in friction between the compression surface and at least one sheet roll, and / or friction between the end stop surface and at least one sheet roll, resisting rotation of the at least one sheet roll relative to the pole.

[0015] The present disclosure further provides a sheet wrapping system comprising a set of sheet rolls and the sheet dispensing device, with at least one sheet roll of the set being mounted to the sheet dispensing device between the end stop and compression devices. The present disclosure further provides a sheet wrapping system comprising at least one sheet roll and the sheet dispensing device, the sheet dispensing device being configured for the at least one sheet roll to be mounted thereon.

[0016] The axial force resists rotation of the at least one sheet roll around the pole such that the sheet can be dispensed and wrapped tightly around items. In particular, a user can walk the system around the items (such as on a pallet) with the at least one sheet roll unwrapping around the items. As the at least one sheet roll resists rotation relative to the pole, the sheet is dispensed therefrom by restricted rotation of the sheet roll on the pole. This means that they can keep the dispensed sheet tight whilst being wrapped around the items, such that the wrapping is tight and less likely to loosen during transportation.

[0017] The present disclosure utilises the axial force applied by the compression device against the at least one sheet roll to resist its rotation around the pole. This simple application of an axial force to increase the friction between the compression device and at least one sheet roll, rather than any more complicated gripping elements of prior art devices, makes the system easier to use, simpler to manufacture and more robust. Furthermore, a variety of different types of sheet rolls can still be used with the sheet dispensing device, including coreless rolls, rolls with single use cores and rolls with reusable cores.In the present disclosure, references to ‘axial force’ mean a force applied along the pole and references to ‘axial’ or ‘axially’ mean along the pole. References to ‘along the pole’ means substantially along or substantially parallel to the longest dimension of the pole, the axis of rotation of the pole and / or the axis of symmetry of the pole.

[0018] In the present disclosure, reference to ‘resist rotation’ of the at least one sheet roll relative to the pole means that the compression device can be tightened or configured such that, when the system is used to wrap the sheet around items the at least one sheet roll does not freely rotate relative to the pole. The axial force increases the friction force countering the rotation of the sheet roll against the compression device. Generally, the at least one sheet roll will only begin to rotate when a sufficiently high tension is applied to the sheet during unwrapping and such rotation will be continually resisted by the axial force. Some rotation will still, however, occur during the wrapping process.

[0019] In the present disclosure, reference to ‘handheld’ refers to the sheet dispensing device being configured for holding and use by a human user. In particular, the pole may be suitable for a human user to hold during the wrapping process and may comprise one or more handles to improve the user’s grip.

[0020] The sheet dispensing device may also be referred to as a wrap hand system, pallet wrapping device, pallet wrapper, paper sheet dispenser, stretch film wrapper, stretch wrap dispenser, stretch film dispenser, stretch wrapper, wrap dispenser and the like.

[0021] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] By way of example only, embodiments according to the present disclosure are now described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sheet wrapping system in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a part of the system of Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of part of the system of Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figures 4 and 5 are bottom and cross-sectional perspective views of an end stop device of the system of Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figures 6 and 7 are top and cross-sectional perspective views of a distal bush of the system of Figure 1 ; andFigures 8, 9 and 10 are top, cross-sectional and exploded perspective views of a compression device of the system of Figure 1.

[0028] Detailed Description

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a sheet wrapping system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The system 10 comprises at least one sheet roll 11 and a handheld sheet dispensing device 20. The sheet dispensing device 20 is configured for at least one sheet roll 11 to be mounted thereon such that rotation of the at least one sheet roll 11 around the sheet dispensing device 10 is resisted during unwrapping or dispensing of the sheet around a set of items.

[0030] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the at least one sheet roll 11 may comprise a sheet 13 wrapped around a core 14. The sheet 13 may comprise a plastic film, which may be thin and / or stretchable, paper, a mix of paper and plastic, and / or any other suitable sheet material for wrapping around items to secure them during transportation.

[0031] The core 14 typically comprises a cardboard tube, with the tube being mounted around and over the sheet dispensing device 20. The at least one sheet roll 11 comprises an elongate roll passageway 15 therethrough, which may be formed by the core 14, and the handheld sheet dispensing device 20 is insertable into the roll passageway 15. The at least one sheet roll 11 is mounted to the handheld sheet dispensing device 20 by the roll passageway 15 therethrough.

[0032] However, in alternative embodiments, which are not illustrated, the at least one sheet roll 11 may be coreless and only comprise a roll of wrapped sheet 13 with the roll passageway 15 therethrough. Such a coreless roll may be mounted directed to the sheet dispensing device 20. In further embodiments, which are also not illustrated, a reusable core may be inserted into the coreless roll and the reusable core, with the coreless roll therearound, mounted to the sheet dispensing device 20 via the roll passageway 15 through the reusable core. The handheld sheet dispensing device 20 of the illustrated embodiments can receive and hold any such configuration of at least one sheet roll 11.

[0033] In preferred embodiments the at least one sheet roll 11 is a small diameter core sheet roll, with an internal diameter of the passageway being about 26 mm or 27 mm. In preferred embodiments the at least one sheet roll 11 may be at least about 300 mm wide, at least about 400 mm wide and / or about 410 mm wide. The width is the longest dimension of theat least one sheet roll 11 prior to use and, when the at least one sheet roll 11 is mounted to the handheld sheet dispensing device 20, is the dimension extending axially along the handheld sheet dispensing device 20. The length of sheet 13, being the length of the sheet 13 when unwrapped from the at least one sheet roll 11 in a direction perpendicular to the width, may be at least 10 m.

[0034] A set of sheet rolls 11 is provided and the sheet dispensing device 20 can be used with multiple successive sheet rolls 11 as they are used. In addition, whilst the sheet dispensing device 20 is generally configured for one sheet roll 11 to be mounted thereon, two or more smaller adjacent sheet rolls 11 could also be mounted thereon.

[0035] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the sheet dispensing device 20 comprises a pole 21 , and end stop and compression devices 30, 50 at least partially mountable to the pole 21. The at least one sheet roll 11 is mountable between the end stop and compression devices 30, 50, as shown in Figure 2.

[0036] The pole 21 comprises a distal end 22 and the at least one sheet roll 11 is mountable to the pole 21. The pole 21 is configured to extend through the roll passageway 15 and the at least one sheet roll 11 extends entirely radially around the pole 21. The pole 21 further comprises a proximal end 24 (see Figure 1), which, in use, is proximal to the user.

[0037] The pole 21 is an elongate body, extending axially along a length by a significantly greater distance than its diameter perpendicular to the length. The pole 21 is preferably tubular and / or a tube and may comprise a pole passageway 23 extending therethrough. The pole 21 may comprise carbon fibre, plastic, metal or the like. The external diameter of the pole 21 may be in the range of about 15 mm to about 35 mm and may be about 25 mm.

[0038] At least one handle 25, 26, such as first and second handles 25, 26 as shown in Figure 1 , may be mounted to the pole 21. The at least one handle 25, 26 may be mounted to the pole 21 between the compression device 50 and proximal end 24 and one of the handles 25 may be mounted at or over the proximal end 24 as illustrated. The at least one handle 25, 26 may, for example, comprise foam and may be mounted to the pole 21 by a friction fit and / or adhesive. The at least one handle 25, 26 are configured to be held by the user whilst wrapping the sheet 13 around items.The end stop device 30 is releasably mounted to the pole 21 at the distal end 22 and is illustrated in further detail in Figures 3 to 5. The end stop device 30 comprises an end stop surface 31 and the primary function of the end stop device 30 is to be locked in place so that the at least one sheet roll 11 can be held against it, particularly against the end stop surface 31.

[0039] The end stop device 30 is configured to be releasably mounted to the pole 21 so that it can be selectively removed for the mounting of the at least one sheet roll 11 onto the pole 21. When mounted, the end stop device 30 may be configurable such that it remains in place when an axial force is applied thereto by the at least one sheet roll 11.

[0040] The end stop device 30 may comprise a stop cover 35, which covers the distal end 22 when mounted, and the end stop surface 31 may be formed by the stop cover 35. The stop cover 35 may be an end cap, with a tube 35a extending from an end wall 35b. When mounted, the end wall 35b may abut or be adjacent to the distal end 22 and the tube 35a may extend around the pole 21.

[0041] The end stop surface 31 may be an annulus around the stop cover 35, such as by being formed on a flange 35c of the stop cover 35. The flange 35c may extend around the opposite end of the tube 35a to the stop cover 35. The stop cover 35 may comprise at least one window 35d therethrough, such that the user can see the bayonet connection, which is discussed further below.

[0042] The end stop device 30 may comprise a handle 36 at an opposing end to the end stop surface 31. The handle 36 may extend axially from the stop cover 35.

[0043] The end stop device 30 may be releasably mounted to the pole 21 by being releasably mountable to a distal bush 40 mounted to the pole 21. The distal bush 40, which is illustrated in Figures 3, 6 and 7, may be mounted to the pole 21 at the distal end 22 and may be mounted inside the pole passageway 23 such that the distal bush 40 is accessible at the distal end 22. The distal bush 40 may be substantially immovably fixed or mounted by adhesive, friction fit, at least one rivet or the like.

[0044] The end stop device 30 and distal bush 40 comprise reciprocally mountable male and female bayonet parts 32, 41 for selective engagement therebetween in a bayonet mount. Inparticu lar, the end stop device 30 may be insertable into the distal bush 40 and twistable in the distal bush 40 to lock the end stop device 30 to the distal bush 40.

[0045] The male bayonet part 32 comprises a pair of radial pins 33 extending radially, at 180 degrees to one another, from a bayonet body 34. The male bayonet part 32 is mounted inside the stop cover 35 and may extend from the stop end wall 35b. In particular, the bayonet body 34 may extend axially from the handle 36 and / or stop end wall 35b towards the end stop surface 31. The pair of radial pins 33 may extend radially outwardly towards the stop cover 35.

[0046] The distal bush 40 may comprise a bush tube 42 with a bush flange 43 extending around an end thereof. The bush tube 42 is mounted inside the pole passageway 23. The bush flange 43 is located at and around the distal end 22 of the pole 21 , preventing the bush 40 from being pressed into and lost in the pole passageway 23.

[0047] The female bayonet part 41 is located inside the distal bush 40 and / or bush tube 42 and comprises at least one bayonet stop 41a, 41b, 41c for engaging with the male bayonet part 32. The female bayonet part 41 comprises a rotational stop 41a, against which the male bayonet part 32 abuts when mounted such that the male bayonet part 32 cannot rotate further. The female bayonet part 41 comprises an axial stop 41b, against which the male bayonet part 32 abuts when mounted such that the male bayonet part 32 cannot be removed from the distal bush 40 by only axial movement. The female bayonet part 41 comprises a partial stop 41c, on the opposing end of the axial stop 41b to the rotational stop 41 a and extending from the distal end 22 by a smaller distance than the rotational stop 41a, over which the male bayonet part 32 must be pushed so that it can be rotated into position between the stops 41a, 41b, 41c.

[0048] The compression device 50 is illustrated in further detail in Figures 8 to 10. The compression device 50 mounted to the pole 21 and is selectively configurable in an engaged configuration, shown in Figure 2.

[0049] In the engaged configuration, the compression device 50 holds the at least one sheet roll 11 between the end stop and compression devices 30, 50. The compression device 50 does so by applying an axial force to the at least one sheet roll 11 and, as a result, increases a friction force between the at least one sheet roll 11 and compression devicesuch that rotation of the at least one sheet roll 11 relative to the pole 21 is restricted. The axial force is resisted by the end stop device 30, particularly by the end stop surface 31.

[0050] The compression device 50 comprises a compression surface 51 , and in the engaged configuration the compression surface 51 abuts the at least one sheet roll 11 to hold, by applying the axial force to, the at least one sheet roll 11. In particular, the compression device 50 may apply an axial or compression force to the at least one sheet roll 11 between the compression and end stop surfaces 51 , 31 , preferably such that rotation of the at least one sheet roll relative to the pole is resisted by the axial force. As the end stop device 30 is non-rotatable relative to the pole 21 in the engaged configuration, the friction force between the end stop surface 31 and at least one sheet roll 11 also resists rotation of the at least one sheet roll 11 relative to the pole 21.

[0051] The compression device 50 is configured to apply the axial force to the at least one sheet roll 11 by varying the distance between the compression and end stop surfaces 51, 31, so that tight contact and compression is applied to the at least one sheet roll 11 therebetween. The compression device 50 is selectively configurable in a disengaged configuration. In the engaged configuration, the distance between the end stop and compression surfaces 31 , 51 is less than in the disengaged configuration.

[0052] As in the illustrated embodiments, the compression device 50 may comprise a roll contact part 60 mounted around the pole 21 and configured to contact the at least one sheet roll 11 by comprising the compression surface 51 , move axially along the pole 21 between the engaged or disengaged configurations and be non-rotatable relative to the pole 21. The compression device 50 may further comprise an axial holding part 70, which is configured to selectively hold the roll contact part 60 in the engaged or disengaged configurations. The compression device 50 may further comprise a fixed pole part 80, which is fixed axially and rotationally to the pole 21 and with which the roll contact part 60 and axial holding part 70 are engageable.

[0053] Each of the roll contact part 60, axial holding part 70 and fixed pole part 80 may be substantially tubular (i.e. comprising openings at either end of a hollow cylinder) such that they may be referred to as ‘tubes’ rather than ‘parts’, and may be mounted around the pole 21.The fixed pole part 80 is the innermost of the parts 60, 70, 80 and may be mounted in direct contact with the pole 21. The fixed pole part 80 may be mounted to the pole 21 such that it is non-rotatable and non-axially moveable relative thereto, for example by at least one rivet and / or adhesive. The rivet (not illustrated) may extend through an aperture 81 in the fixed pole part 80 into an aperture in the pole 21 (not illustrated).

[0054] The fixed pole part 80 may comprise features for engaging with, and preventing relative rotation of, the roll contact part 60, whilst allowing axial movement of the roll contact part 60. In particular, the fixed pole part 80 may comprise at least one second rotation locking element 82 for engaging at least one first rotation locking element 61 of the roll contact part 60 (discussed further below) such that the engagement therebetween prevents rotation of the roll contact part 60 relative to the pole 21.

[0055] The at least one second rotation locking element 82 may comprise a pin 82a, 82b extending radially outwardly from a fixed tubular body 83 of the fixed pole part 80. The fixed pole part 80 may comprise a pair of second rotation locking element 82 or pins 82a, 82b, as illustrated, extending in radially outwardly and opposite directions from the fixed tubular body 83.

[0056] The fixed pole part 80 may further comprise features for engaging with the axial holding part 70 such that the axial location of the axial holding part 70 can be maintained in the engaged configuration. In particular, the fixed pole part 80 may comprise a second axial locking element 84 for engaging with a first axial locking element 71 of the axial holding part 70. The first and second axial locking elements 71, 84 may comprise engageable screw threads, with the first axial locking element comprising an internal screw thread and the second axial locking element 84 comprising an external screw thread. The second axial locking element 84 is formed or mounted on the fixed tubular body 83 and the external screw thread may extend around the fixed tubular body 83.

[0057] The roll contact part 60 and axial holding part 70 are mounted over the fixed pole part 80 and are moveable relative to the pole 21 , fixed pole part 80 and each other. The at least one second rotation locking element 82 and second axial locking element 84 are spaced or separated from one another along the pole 21 , with the at least one second rotation locking element 82 being closer to the distal end 22 than the second axial locking element 84.The roll contact part 60, which may alternatively be referred to as a spacer, is mounted to the pole 21 to be axially moveable there along such that the compression surface 51 can selectively abut the at least one sheet roll 11. The roll contact part 60 may comprise a roll contact tubular body 62 and the compression surface 51 may be located at an end thereof. The roll contact tubular body 62 may comprise a contact flange 63 at an end thereof and forming the compression surface 51. The compression surface 51 may be an annulus around the roll contact part 60, roll contact tubular body 62 and / or contact flange 63.

[0058] The roll contact part 60 comprises the at least one first rotation locking element 61 for preventing rotation of the roll contact part 60 relative to the pole 21. In particular, the or each first rotation locking element 61 may comprise an elongate slot 61a, 61b extending axially along the roll contact part 60 and / or roll contact tubular body 62. The or each elongate slot 61 a, 61 b extends from the opposing end 64 of the roll contact part 60 to the compression surface 51 along approximately 40-70% of the length of the roll contact part 60.

[0059] The pin 82a, 82b forming the second rotation locking element 82 is mountable in, and slidable along, the elongate slot 61a, 61b. Preferably, as illustrated, the roll contact part 60 comprises a pair of elongate slots 61a, 61b on opposing sides thereof, each engaging one of the pair of pins 82a, 82b. The roll contact part 60 cannot rotate relative to the fixed pole part 80 due to the engagement of the pin(s) 82a, 82b in the slot(s) 61a, 61b preventing rotation therebetween, such as by the pin(s) 82a, 82b being in contact circumferentially with the slot(s) 61a, 61b (i.e. without a gap therebetween).

[0060] The axial holding part 70 is configured to selectively abut the roll contact part 60 and hold the roll contact part 60 against the at least one sheet roll 11. The axial holding part 70 comprises the first axial locking element 71 for selectively preventing axial movement of the axial holding part 70 along the pole 21 such that the compression surface 51 is held in abutment against the at least one sheet roll 11 in the engaged configuration. The axial holding part 70 may comprise a holding tubular body 72, with the internal thread of the first axial locking element 71 around the inside of the tube.

[0061] The first axial locking element 71 is configured to engage with the second axial locking element 84 fixed axially to the pole 21. The axial holding part 70 is at least partially mountable to the fixed pole part 80 such that the first and second axial locking elements71 , 84 are engageable together. During such engagement, the axial position of the first axial locking element 71 can be adjusted.

[0062] The axial holding part 70 may comprise a shoulder 73, which may be annular as illustrated, at an end thereof and the opposing end 64 of the roll contact part 60 may be mountable inside the shoulder 73, such that the axial holding part 70 applies a force to the roll contact part 60 via the shoulder 73 and opposing end 64.

[0063] The elements of the end stop device 20 and compression device 50 may comprise any material with suitable strength, and preferably are freezer grade such that the system 10 can be used in cold stores. For example, the devices 20, 50 may comprise injection moulded HDPE or the like. Any rivets may comprise aluminium with a stainless steel shaft such that they do not rust.

[0064] In order to use the system 10, initially the end stop device 22 is removed from the sheet dispensing device 20 and the at least one sheet roll 11 is mounted to the pole. The end stop device 30 is then replaced at the distal end 22 such that the at least one sheet roll 11 is loosely mounted between the end stop device 30 and compression device 50. In particular, the end stop device 30 may be mounted to the distal bush 40 by the male bayonet part 32 being inserted into the female bayonet part 41 and rotated thereabouts. The male bayonet part 32 is pushed over the partial stop 41c and rotated into position between the stops 41a, 41b, 41c, thereby holding the end stop device 30 in place.

[0065] At the time, the compression device 50 will likely be in the disengaged configuration, such that there is a gap between the end stop and compression surfaces 31 , 51 and the at least one sheet roll 11 can move slightly axially. The user then operates the compression device 50 so that it is moved into the engaged configuration. In particular, the user may operate the axial holding part 70 to move the roll contact part 60 so as to reduce the distance between the end stop and compression surfaces 31 , 51 and compress and apply an axial force to the at least one sheet roll 11.

[0066] The user may operate the axial holding part 70 relative to the pole 21 such that the first and second axial locking elements 71 , 84 engage and the axial holding part 70 moves along the pole 21 and fixed pole part 80 towards the distal end 22. In particular, the user may rotate the axial holding part 70 such that, through the engagement of the threads of the first and / or second axial locking elements 71 , 84, the axial holding part 70 moves axially.Subsequently, by contact between the axial holding part 70 and roll contact part 60, in particular at the shoulder 70 and opposing end 64, the axial holding part 70 will also move the roll contact part 60 axially towards the distal end 22. Therefore, the compression surface 51 is moved closer towards the end stop surface 31 , contacting and compressing the at least one sheet roll 11 therebetween.

[0067] The axial holding part 70 is moved sufficiently such that the axial force on the at least one sheet roll 11 is high enough that it does not freely rotate whilst being used to wrap items. The friction force between the compression and end stop surfaces 51 , 31 and at least one sheet roll 11 resists rotation of the at least one sheet roll 11 whilst the sheet 13 is wrapped around items.

[0068] The engagement between the first and second rotation locking elements 61 , 82 ensures that the roll contact part 60 cannot rotate. It will be appreciated that if the roll contact part 60 was rotatable, then the engaged screw threads could loosen during use. However, as the roll contact part 60 is non-rotatable, there is no rotatable force applied to the axial holding part 70 in use, such that loosening does not occur. When mounted, the end stop device 30 is also non-rotatable relative to the pole 21 , such as by virtue of the bayonet connection with the distal bush 40, and therefore does not loosen whilst the at least one sheet roll 11 is unwrapped and rotates a little in use.

[0069] The sheet dispensing device 20 may then be walked around items, such as those mounted on a pallet, and the tension in the sheet 13 maintained during its application to the items. The tension is maintained by virtue of the resistance to rotation of the at least one sheet roll 11 induced by the compression device 50. The roll 11 will still rotate in a restricted manner (i.e. not freely); but as the rotation is restricted the tension of the sheet 13 is maintained during application, provided that the compression device 50 has been tightened sufficiently to be in the engaged configuration.

[0070] Once all of the sheet 13 on a roll 11 has been used, a further roll 11 from the set of rolls 11 can be mounted to the sheet dispensing device 20.

[0071] Various alternatives to those described above fall within the scope of the present disclosure. The first and / or second axial locking elements 71 , 84 could comprise a releasable ratchet mechanism for ensuring there is no rotation of the axial holding part 70is configured to engage with the second axial locking element 84. The compression device 50 may comprise fewer than three parts 60, 70, 80, such as by the roll contact and axial holding parts 60, 70 being integrated with one another.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A sheet wrapping system comprising:a set of sheet rolls; anda handheld sheet dispensing device comprising:a pole comprising a distal end and to which at least one sheet roll of the set is mounted;an end stop device releasably mounted to the pole at the distal end; and a compression device mounted to the pole and selectively configurable in an engaged configuration in which the compression device holds the at least one sheet roll, by applying an axial force thereto, between the end stop and compression devices.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the compression device comprises a compression surface, and in the engaged configuration the compression surface is non-rotatable relative to the pole and abuts the at least one sheet roll to hold, by applying the axial force to, the at least one sheet roll.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the compression device is selectively configurable in a disengaged configuration, wherein in the engaged configuration the distance between the end stop and compression devices is less than in the disengaged configuration.

3. The system of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the compression device comprises a roll contact part comprising the compression surface, the roll contact part being mounted to the pole to be axially moveable along the pole such that the compression surface can selectively abut the at least one sheet roll, wherein the roll contact part comprises a first rotation locking element for preventing rotation of the roll contact part relative to the pole.

4. The system of any preceding claim wherein the compression device comprises a fixed pole part mounted to the pole such that the fixed pole part is non-rotatable and non-axially moveable relative to the pole.

5. The system of claims 3 and 4 wherein the fixed pole part comprises a second rotation locking element for engaging the first rotation locking element such that the engagement therebetween prevents rotation of the roll contact part relative to the pole.

6. The system of any preceding claim wherein the compression device comprises an axial holding part mounted to the pole to be axially moveable along the pole, the axial holding part comprising a first axial locking element for selectively preventing axial movement of the axial holding part along the pole such that the compression surface is held in abutment against the at least one sheet roll.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the axial holding part is configured to selectively abut the roll contact part and hold the roll contact part against the at least one sheet roll.

8. The system of claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the first axial locking element is configured to engage with a second axial locking element fixed axially to the pole, optionally wherein the first and second axial locking elements comprise engageable threads.

9. The system of any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the fixed pole part comprises the second axial locking element and the axial holding part is at least partially mountable to the fixed pole part such that the first and second axial locking elements are engageable together.

10. The system of any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein:the end stop device comprises an end stop surface; andin the engaged configuration the compression surface abuts the at least one sheet roll to hold, by applying the axial force to, the at least one sheet roll against the end stop surface.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the sheet dispensing device further comprises a bush mounted at the distal end of the pole, the end stop device being releasably mounted to the bush.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the bush and end stop device comprise reciprocally mountable male and female bayonet parts.

13. A handheld sheet dispensing device for the system of any one of the preceding claims, the handheld sheet dispensing device comprising:the pole comprising the distal end and to which at least one sheet roll is mountable; the end stop device releasably mountable to the pole at the distal end; and the compression device mounted to the pole and selectively configurable in the engaged configuration in which the compression device is configured to hold the at least- 17 -one sheet roll, by applying an axial force thereto, between the end stop and compression devices.

14. A method of operating a handheld sheet dispensing device, the handheld sheet dispensing device comprising a pole comprising a distal end, an end stop device, and a compression device mounted to the pole, wherein the method comprises:mounting at least one sheet roll to the pole;mounting the end stop device to the distal end such that the at least one sheet roll is located on the pole between the end stop and compression devices; andoperating the compression device into an engaged configuration in which the compression device holds the at least one sheet roll, by applying an axial force thereto, between the end stop and compression devices.

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