Patent Publication Number: US-6991195-B2

Title: Wrapping apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to wrapping apparatus and more particularly to a apparatus for stretch-wrapping an article with flexible material from a roll of such material. The apparatus supports the roll at a height which may be adjusted to that most convenient for wrapping and is movable so that the roll may be moved around the article as it is being wrapped 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   It is common for newly manufactured articles to be wrapped with polyethylene or other polymeric material to protect its outer surface from scratches, from contact with corrosive fluids and the like. Articles which are irregular in shape or are heavy are unusually difficult to wrap. Heavy machinery for example is commonly attached to a skid after it is manufactured and both the machinery and the skid are wrapped before being shipped from the factory where it was manufactured. In most cases, such machinery is wrapped by an operator who holds a sheet of wrapping material and walks around the machinery again and again while raising and lowering the sheet and while maintaining the material under tension until the apparatus is completely enveloped. Wrapping by this means is physically taxing because the sheet of wrapping material is heavy and because the sheet must be constantly pulled to keep it under tension. 
   I have invented an apparatus by means of which an article may be wrapped in an improved way over the conventional way. The apparatus supports a roll of wrapping material at a height that can be adjusted. Furthermore, the apparatus is mounted on wheels, castors and the like so that it can be moved around the article or it can be located where it will best facilitate the wrapping operation. An operator does not have to carry the roll by hand, to raise and lower it by hand or to pull it to keep the wrapping material under tension. As a result the operator avoids back strain, fatigue and injuries resulting from fatigue when he is using the apparatus. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly the wrapping apparatus of my invention comprises: a base mounted for rolling; a post extending upwardly from the base; a winch mounted to the post; and supporting means for a roll of wrapping material. The supporting means is operatively connected to the winch and is raised and lowered thereby. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The wrapping apparatus of my invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an elevation of the wrapping apparatus from the side in conjunction with a roll of flexible wrapping material; and 
       FIG. 2  is an elevation from the end of the apparatus showing the supporting means for the roll of wrapping material. 
   

   Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the description of the drawings. 
   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , the wrapping apparatus includes a base  10 , a post  12  which is connected to the base and extends upwardly therefrom and a winch  14  mounted to the top of the post. A roll  16  of flexible wrapping material extends around and surrounds the post. 
   The base is composed of a pair of cross bars  18 ,  20 . Bar  18  is longitudinally extending and a handle  22  extends upwardly from one of its ends. Bar  20  is laterally extending beneath bar  18 . 
   A castor  24  is attached to the two ends of each bar so that the base may be rolled across a floor. Handle  22  facilitates such rolling and also the steering of the base while it is so rolling. 
   The post is composed to two segments, a lower segment  12   a  and an upper segment  12   b . The upper segment fits into an opening in the lower segment and each segment is provided with a series of openings  28  spaced along their lengths for receipt of a pin for holding the two segments together. The post is thus extendible or telescopic. 
   The winch is mounted to the top of the upper segment and has a conventional pulley  32  around which a cable  34  is wound. The pulley is turned by means of a handle  36 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 2 , the supporting means for a roll of wrapping material includes a bed  38  and a tube  40  which extends upwardly from the bed. The cable of the winch is attached to the tube by means of hook  42 . 
   Tube  40  surrounds post  12  and the tube in turn is surrounded by roll  16  of wrapping material as illustrated in the drawings. The roll is seated on the bed and is raised and lowered by means of the winch. 
   In operation, the wrapping apparatus is moved until it close to the object which is to be wrapped. By means of the winch, the roll of wrapping material is then raised or lowered until it is adjacent to the article. The material is then unwound from the roll and attached to the object by such means as adhesive tape. The wrapping apparatus is then moved around the article while the wrapping material unwinds until the article is completely enveloped by the material. 
   The wrapping apparatus of the invention is suitable for wrapping a variety of different articles such as those in boxes and those which, because of their irregular shapes, are difficult to wrap by hand. The apparatus is particularly suitable for wrapping articles on skids. 
   It will be understood, of course, that modifications can be made to the wrapping apparatus illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.