Pallet wrapping device

A pallet wrapping device includes an elongated shaft having a fixed handle along a first end, and a diameter for slidingly receiving the hollow central channel of a roll of stretch film. A stopper is positioned along the second end of the elongated shaft, and includes a dimension that is greater than the dimension of the central channel of the roll of stretch film. A sliding handle unit having a first handle segment, a second handle segment and a hollow interior channel is slidingly positioned along the elongated shaft, and functions as a guide for dispensing the stretch film. A ring shaped member having a high friction material along one surface is disposed between the handle segments, and each handle segment includes an outside dimension that is positionable within the central channel of the roll of stretch film.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wrapping devices for pallets and other items, and more particularly to a hand operated pallet wrapping device.

BACKGROUND

The shipment of pallet loads of goods constitutes a substantial part of commercial traffic. Frequently, the pallet loads are formed from a number of different sized and shaped articles that do not stack in a stable configuration, thereby requiring some form of tensioning wrap to be utilized.

To this end, there are a number of commercially available pallet wrapping machines which can function in an automated or semi-automated fashion to securely wrap palletized materials. However, such machines are typically designed and built to wrap extremely high volumes of palletized materials having a uniform shape and size. To this end, and owing to their high cost, the use of such machines has typically been limited to product manufacturers who ship extremely high volumes of identical materials, wherein each pallet is loaded and wrapped uniformly.

For these reasons, the most common means for wrapping palletized materials is to do so manually. As will be known to those of skill in the art, the most common type of pallet wrapping material is plastic stretch film, which is typically provided in a roll, and has an elongated cardboard (or other light material) tube that extends a few inches from the top and bottom ends to aid a user in manually wrapping a pallet of goods. In this regard, the user typically begins at one corner of the pallet and must literally crawl around the base of the pallet in order to ensure the film is secured thereon. Once the corners have been secured, the user will circle the pallet several times while incrementally raising the level of the stretch film.

Unfortunately, this process suffers from several drawbacks. For example, owing to the shortened nature of the cardboard handle, the height of the pallet is typically limited to the height the user can reach. As such, pallets are rarely taller than 72 inches, which means that valuable space within tractor trailers (typically over 12 feet in height) goes unused. Additionally, owing to the lightweight construction of the handles, it is difficult for the user to apply sufficient pressure onto the stretch material, as doing so often bends or breaks the handle making it unusable. Finally, because it is difficult for the user to easily access the bottom of the pallet, this portion often does not receive adequate wrapping, which can cause the entire pallet to become unstable during transport.

Although there are several known devices for facilitating manual pallet wrapping, such devices are typically designed to work with a single type or brand of stretch film, and/or require specialized tools or knowledge to change rolls or utilize the device. Such drawbacks limit the commercial success of these devices.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a pallet wrapping device that can be utilized with any type or size of stretch film material, that does not require specialized knowledge or tools to utilize, and that can eliminate the drawbacks described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device for facilitating manual wrapping of palletized materials with stretch film. One embodiment of the present invention can include an elongated shaft having a fixed handle along a first end, and a diameter that is suitable for slidingly receiving the hollow central channel of a roll of stretch film. A stopper can be positioned along the second end of the elongated shaft, and can include a dimension that is greater than that of the central channel. A sliding handle unit having a first handle segment, a second handle segment and a hollow interior channel is slidingly positioned along the elongated shaft, and can function as a guide for dispensing the stretch film.

In another embodiment, the sliding handle unit can include a ring shaped member having a high friction material along one surface. Each of the handle segments can include an outside dimension that is positionable within the central channel of the roll of stretch film, so as to function as a tensioning unit.

In yet another embodiment, a mechanical tensioning unit can be disposed along the elongated shaft. The tensioning unit can include a first end, a second end, and a plurality of deformable wires that are suspended therebetween. The force required to twist the first and second ends can be adjustable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG. 1.

As described herein, the term “removably secured” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated. This can be accomplished through the use of any number of commercially available connectors such as opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro®), magnetic elements, and compression fittings such as male-female joints, hooks, snaps and buttons, for example.

As described herein, the term “pivotally connected” “rotatably secured” and derivatives thereof shall be used interchangeably to describe a situation wherein two identified objects are joined together in a manner that allows one or both of the objects to pivot, twist, and/or rotate about or in relation to the other object in one or both of a horizontal and vertical manner. Several nonlimiting examples of connectors for pivotally connecting objects together include traditional single hinge mechanisms, ball joint couplers, and/or swivel flanges, for example.

As described herein, the terms “stretch film” and “stretch wrap” can be used interchangeably to describe any type of wrapping material for use with palletized items. Such items typically comprise lengths of highly stretchable plastic film having elastic recovery property for keeping items tightly bound. The film typically includes a width of approximately 30 inches, and is most commonly wrapped around a hollow core channel5ahaving an inside diameter of approximately 2-4 inches. Of course, any number of other shapes, sizes and/or materials such as shrink wrap, for example, are also contemplated and can be utilized with the device in the manner described below. Likewise, the device can be sized to accommodate any number of other dimensions without undue experimentation.

FIG. 1is an exploded parts view of one embodiment of a pallet wrapping device10that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the device10can include, essentially, an elongated shaft20, and a sliding handle unit30, for engaging a roll of stretch film5. Although described below for use as a pallet wrapping device, those of skill in the art will recognize that the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, the below described device can be utilized for any number of different uses and industries without limitation.

As shown best atFIG. 2A, the shaft20can include an elongated member having a first end21, a second end22and a middle portion23. In the preferred embodiment, the shaft can include a uniform shape and dimension for receiving the sliding handle unit30and any number of stretch film rolls5. In various embodiments, the handle may be constructed as a single unit with a pre-defined length, or may be constructed modularly so as to be adjustable in length. In such embodiments, the handle can include any number of different connectors24aand24b, such as male/female compression fittings, for example, that can be joined together to form a plurality of shaft segments. Alternatively, the shaft can be constructed so as to allow various sections to extend and retract telescopically, in accordance with known manufacturing techniques. Such a feature being advantageous for allowing the device to be sold and shipped in smaller packaging in a disassembled configuration.

In either instance, the handle20may be formed from any number of rigid materials that are, for example, relatively strong and stiff for their weight. Several nonlimiting examples include, but are not limited to various metals or metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, steel, titanium, or alloys thereof), plastic/polymers (e.g., high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), and/or various composite materials (e.g., carbon fibers in a polymer matrix, fiberglass, etc.).

In one embodiment, a fixed handle25can be disposed along the first end of the shaft body21. The handle can be constructed from any number of different materials such as rubber, for example, and can preferably include a shape and size having a minimum outward projection (e.g., less than 0.25 inches) from the shaft surface. As will be described below, the fixed handle25can provide a stable grip for allowing a user to apply tension onto the stretch film5, when securing the same around a pallet. In various embodiments, an optional hook25aor other such member can be provided along one end of the handle to facilitate hanging storage of the device.

In one embodiment, a stopper26can be removably secured along the second end of the shaft body22. The stopper can include any number of different shapes and sizes, and can include an outside dimension that is greater than the outside dimension of the shaft body, and the stretch film channel5a. Such a feature acting to prevent the same from sliding off the second end of the shaft body. In one embodiment, the stopper can include a generally curved outside facing surface that can be constructed from, or coated with a non-skid material26a, so as to allow the stopper to slide across the (typically concrete) floor of a warehouse with minimum effort. Such a feature advantageously allows a user to wrap the bottom portions of a pallet with the stretch film from a standing position, thus eliminating the need for the user to kneel or bend. Likewise, an inside facing surface26bcan be constructed from or coated with a high friction material such as rubber, for example, to aid the user in applying a tensioning force onto the stretch film material.

In one embodiment, the stopper26can also be pivotally secured to the end of the shaft body22via a connector27, such as a ball joint or other such device. Such a feature allows the orientation of the stopper26to pivot (see arrow a), with respect to the shaft20, and advantageously allows a user to easily adjust the angle of the stretch film5, when the stopper is sliding along the ground. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the stopper26can be constructed from the same material as the shaft body20, so as to be formed together as a unitary and fixed-orientation element.

As shown inFIG. 2B, another embodiment of the device10can include a mechanical tensioning unit28that is disposed along the shaft20. As shown, the mechanical tensioning unit can include a plurality of flexible wires28athat are formed between two ends28band28cwhich are rotatably secured onto the shaft20. The wires28acan each bow outward and can be deformable to provide a snug fit to the inside surface of the stretch film channel5a(not illustrated). Such a feature ensures that the stretch film5, the wires, and the ends all rotate together about the shaft20as a unit. Moreover, the force required to rotate one or both of the ends28band28ccan be adjustable, so as to provide the user with an integrated tension mechanism for dispensing the stretch film. One nonlimiting example of a mechanical tensioning unit which could be utilized with the device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,733, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 3illustrates one embodiment of the sliding handle unit30. As shown, the handle can include a first handle segment31, and a second handle segment32that are connected to form a hollow channel30ahaving a first end31aand a second end32a. In the preferred embodiment, the hollow channel can include an inside dimension that is greater than the outside dimension of the elongated shaft20, so as to allow the handle unit30to slide along the length of the shaft. Likewise, the handle segments can each include an outside dimension that is less than the inside dimension of the stretch film channel5a, so as to allow each handle segment to be positioned within the film channel.

As shown, a generally ring-shaped member33can be positioned between the first and second handle segments. The ring shaped member can include a first surface33athat is adjacent to the first handle segment31and a second surface33bthat is adjacent to the second handle segment32. In the preferred embodiment, the ring-shaped member can include an outside dimension that is greater than the stretch film channel5a, so as to prevent both handle segments from being simultaneously positioned within the film channel. Moreover, the first surface33acan preferably be constructed from, or coated with a high friction material such as rubber, for example.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate one embodiment of the assembled device10. As shown, the outside dimension of the shaft20can be constructed to be less than the hollow central channel5aof an industry standard stretch film roll5. As such, the stretch film roll can slide along the length of the shaft until making contact with the stopper26. Next, the handle unit30can be slid along the length of the shaft20until one of the handle segments31or32is positioned within the film channel5a.

During device operation, a user can grip the fixed handle25and one of the handle segments31or32. To this end, when the second end23of the shaft is above the first end21, a user can manipulate the location of the stretch film5by sliding the handle unit30along the length of the shaft (see arrow b). Moreover, when gripping the second handle segment,32, the user can apply the high friction section34against the side of the stretch film. Such a feature effectively functions as a braking mechanism for allowing the user to selectively apply tension to the material being wrapped. This feature can be utilized in conjunction with, or in place of, the above described tensioning unit28.

As described herein, one or more elements of the pallet wrapping device10can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.