Abstract:
A stretch wrap applicator includes one or more cutting members arranged to engage the stretch wrap to cut it into strips as it is dispensed from the roll. The strips are then gathered and stretched into strings that are wrapped around the object. A roller is biased toward the stretch wrap roll to ensure an even flow of stretch film from the roll and more consistent tension on the film dispensed from the roll. The roller includes a groove. A cutting member is disposed to rest in the groove such that stretch film passes over and around the roller as it is dispensed from the roll and then engages the cutting member in the grove before the stretch film separates from the roller.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/326,424 filed Apr. 22, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to the packaging industry and, more specifically, to application of stretch film or wrap to objects. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Stretch film or wrap is generally known in the industry as a material that can be used to securely wrap a collection of objects together using the stretch material&#39;s resiliency and dinginess. Stretch wrap is typically understood to be a polyethylene stretch film that is generally dispensed from a roll form for use in a variety of applications. For instance, stretch wrap is held against a collection of objects and dispensed and stretched around the collection of objects and wrapped over itself up to several times to cover and hold together the collection of objects. In the shipping industry, for example, a collection of materials may be placed on a pallet to secure such articles together during the shipping process. A collection of boxes placed on a pallet can be shipped as a single cohesive unit when bound together through wrapping with stretch wrap. Other applications of stretch wrap are known such as wrapping agricultural products or simply binding together a collection of items. 
         [0004]    Although such usages for stretch wrap are well known and documented, the amount of stretch wrap used in any given application can be extensive. For example, for an industrial supplier that ships large numbers of pallets of materials out on a consistent basis, a large inventory of stretch wrap must be maintained to facilitate the regular shipment of such products. For example, a large amount of stretch film may be necessary to wrap a given pallet of materials. 
         [0005]    Typically, during application, a tension is applied to the stretch film as it is applied to the objects being wrapped. This tension stretches the film to facilitate a secure binding of the wrapped objects together, and this tension process also both strengthens the stretch film and allows for the use of less film. One known device includes an idler roller that engages and rotates with the stretch wrap as it is pulled from its roll. The idler roller facilitates stretching of the wrap along its length due to the tension on the film. The roller also generally maintains the film&#39;s flat shape as it engages the object around which it is being wrapped. Although this stretch is advantageous, further stretch and strength is still desirable. Another known approach is to stretch the stretch wrap with tension in the long direction while holding the sides of the stretch wrap to reduce narrowing. Such an approach is largely done through complex and expensive machinery. 
         [0006]    Another common application for stretch film is the containment and shipment of agricultural products where these products need to be ventilated to avoid spoilage or for evaporation of water. Current applications use stretch film that has holes cut into the film to allow the film to breath. This process is either done in-line during the manufacturing of the stretch film with expensive equipment or done off line as a secondary operation using expensive equipment to wind, perforate, and then rewind the film. Another known approach includes gathering the stretch film into ropes or strings after dispensing. For example, a dispensed stretch film can be cut into individual sections that are then individually gathered into strings that can be used for securing packaged items. This roping or stringing process, however, can be complicated by uneven dispensing of the stretch film from its roll, resulting in uneven cutting of the film or jamming of the film at the cutting device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Generally speaking and pursuant to these various embodiments, a stretch wrap manipulator is provided that includes one or more cutting members arranged, for instance, in parallel and designed to engage the stretch wrap to cut it into strips as it is dispensed from the roll. The roll is engaged by a roller biased against the stretch wrap roll. The roller&#39;s pressure against the stretch wrap roll ensures an even flow of stretch film from the roll and more consistent tension on the film dispensed from the roll. The roller includes a groove. A cutting member is disposed to rest in the groove such that stretch film passes over and around the roller as it is dispensed from the roll and then engages the cutting member in the grove before the stretch film separates from the roller. Gathering mechanisms are disposed to receive and gather the cut strips of stretch film into strings that are wrapped around the object. Optionally, the two cut strips engage and roll over second and third rollers, respectively, to further stretch the material before engaging the respective gathering mechanisms. The strings formed from the stretch wrap can stretch to an extended length while maintaining excellent tensile strength to secure heavy loads. Accordingly, such approaches more reliably and consistently provide the strings made from stretch film that save on the volume of stretch wrap used to secure a load without significantly compromising strength as a result of the stretching action while gathering the strips into strings. Moreover, by disposing the cutting member partially in a groove, accidental injuries related to the cutting member may be reduced. 
         [0008]    In one described example, one or more cutting blades are disposed along a width of the stretch wrap where it separates from the roll. Beyond the cutting blades are gathering devices that gather individual strips of the stretch wrap into strings. The end of the stretch wrap is engaged to the object being wrapped such that the stretch wrap is under tension as it is removed from the roll, cut, and gathered into strings. The gathering devices apply this tension to the strips to stretch the strips as they are gathered together into the strings while passing through the gathering devices. This stretching can effect a significant increase in the length of the stretch wrap available to wrap around the object. It also creates a product that allows for the natural venting of the pallet. It also allows the film to be used in a concentrated area of the pallet. 
         [0009]    The increase in stretch and gathering into strings of the stretch wrap results in a strong material that can hold together large loads while reducing the overall amount of stretch wrap used. So configured, efficiency of use of the stretch wrap increases. In addition, it provides for gaps between the stretch film which will allow the product to vent. These and other benefits may become clearer upon making a thorough review and study of the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the stretch wrap dispenser described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  comprises a perspective view of a prior art stretch film dispenser; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  comprises a top, front perspective view of an example stretch film dispenser as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  comprises a top, back perspective view of the example stretch film dispenser of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  comprises a top, left perspective view of the example stretch film dispenser of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  comprises a perspective view of a portion of the example stretch film dispenser of  FIG. 2  illustrating the cutting support and gathering devices; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  comprises a perspective view of a portion of the example stretch film dispenser of  FIG. 2  illustrating the cutting support; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  comprises a perspective view of a portion of the example stretch film dispenser of  FIG. 2  illustrating the cutting member and support separated from the groove. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring now to the drawings and, in particular to  FIG. 1 , a prior art stretch film dispenser with cutter is illustrated. The stretch film dispenser includes a frame  104  having a handle  105  extending from the frame. A rotatable support  115  is configured to engage and hold a roll  120  of stretch film and rotate with the roll  120  as the stretch film  125  is pulled and removed from the roll  120 . The frame  104  also supports an elongated support member  130  that extends next to the roll  120 . The support member  130  extends approximately parallel to the support  115  to be along a path between the stretch film  125  dispensed from the stretch roll  120  and the object to be wrapped or secured. A cutting member  133  is supported by the support member  130  and relative to the stretch film  125  to cut the stretch film  125  into two strips  127  upon removal from the roll  120 . Two gathering devices  140  are disposed to stretch and gather the two strips  127  of stretch film  125  into strings  150  configured to wrap around the object. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , an example, improved stretch film dispensing and stringer apparatus  200  for converting stretch film  225  into string or rope  250  is illustrated. The stretch film dispensing and stringer apparatus  200  includes a support frame  204  including an extension handle  205  that facilitates manual application of stretch film to an object. The frame  204  can be made of any suitable material such as a metal such as steel or plastic having sufficient strength to support the various aspects of the stretch film dispenser  200  against the forces experienced during stretch film application. Although described for a manual process, the teachings of this disclosure are not limited to hand application of stretch film and may be applied to mechanical or automatic application of stretch wrap or film to objects. A portion  215  of the support frame  204  is configured to rotatably support a roll of stretch film and dispense the stretch film in response to tension on the stretch film. The support  215  may be a rotatable arm or an elongated element such as using ball bearing support or the like designed to engage a hollow center of a stretch film roll, gripping members designed to engage either end of a stretch film roll, or other design suitable to support a roll  220  of stretch film for dispensing. 
         [0021]    A roller  260  is supported in a biased manner toward the portion  215  of the support frame  204  that supports the stretch film roll  220  so as to engage the roll  220  of stretch film. The biased engagement of the roller  260  evens out the dispensing of the stretch film  225  from the roll  220  and provides a more consistent tension on the stretch wrap dispensed from the roll. The roller  260  is mounted in a rotatable fashion using roller bearings or other suitable structure known in the art such that the roller rotates as the stretch film  225  is dispensed and rolls over the roller  260 . The roller also stretches and tensions the stretch film  225  as it wraps and moves around the roller  260 . In one example, the roller  260  is one or more pre-formed plastic pieces to reduce adhesion between the stretch wrap  225  and the roller&#39;s surface although other materials can be used. 
         [0022]    One example of the cutting mechanism  233  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5-7 . The cutting mechanism  233  includes a blade  234  supported in a biased manner toward the roller  260  such that at least a portion of the blade  234  inserts into a groove  262  defined by the roller  260 . In the illustrated example, the blade  234  is supported by a blade support arm  233  that is biased toward the roller  260  so that the blade support arm  235  engages the roller  260 . The blade  234  extends from the blade support arm  235  into the roller&#39;s groove  262 . The roller  260  defines the groove  262  around its circumference so as to be able to receive the blade  234  continuously throughout its rotation. The groove  262  may be formed in a one-piece roller  260  or may be formed by a spacing between separate roller pieces that roll together with the stretch film. In one example, the blade  234  is a curved blade. By being disposed partially in the groove  262 , the blade  234  reliably engages the tensioned stretch film  225  as it moves toward the blade  234  and between the roller  260  and the blade support arm  235  while the film  225  is stretched on the roller&#39;s surface. Although only one example of the cutting mechanism  233  is shown and described, it is contemplated that other arrangements for biasing a cutting blade toward the roller to effect a more consistent and cleaner cutting of the stretch film are possible. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , two gathering devices  240  disposed to individually receive, stretch, and gather the strips  227  into strings  250 . In the illustrated example, the gathering devices  240  are metal (e.g., stainless steel or aluminum) members, each defining elongated and curved apertures  242  through which the cut strips  227  of stretch film pass. These narrow apertures effectively gather the strips  227  into ropes or string  250  while passing through the apertures  242 . The stretch film will naturally partially stick to the metal of the gathering devices  240 , thereby effecting additional stretching of the material as the strings  250  are pull through the apertures  242 . The gathering devices  240  and their apertures  242  extend away from their support member  230  at an oblique angle, effectively toward an object to be secured by the string  250  dispensed from the device. Although the figures illustrate a device with only one cutting member  233  with two gathering devices  240 , more cutting members and gathering devices may be disposed to cut additional strips to be formed into stretch film string. Moreover, a single gathering device  240  may be disposed to gather together two strips into single string or rope. 
         [0024]    Additionally, other forms of the gathering device  240  are possible, including, for example, be rigid rings or washers secured to the support member. The inner round (although other shapes are possible) apertures of the rings or washers engage, gather, and provide and maintain tension on the stretch film as the strips pass through the apertures while moving toward the object to effect additional stretch and gathering of the stretch film into the elongated strings that are applied to the object. The inner apertures may comprise or be coated in a variety of materials to effect different stretching forces on engaging the stretch wrap. In another example, the gathering devices include two members supported by the support member and intersecting in a direction away from the support configured to support the roll. The two members and support member define an aperture disposed to direct one of the strips away from the roll. The two members may be two distinct members that are mechanically connected together to define the aperture with the support, or, in another approach, the two members may be separate legs of a single angled member that is mounted to the support to define the aperture. 
         [0025]    In the illustrated example, a support member  230  extends approximately parallel (being sufficiently in line to facilitate the stretching and gathering operations along the width of the stretch wrap) to the portion of the support frame  215  that supports the stretch wrap roll  220 . So disposed, the support member  230  sits along a path between the stretch film  225  dispensed from the stretch roll  220  and the gathering devices  240 . By one approach, the support member  230  is fixedly attached to the support frame  104  in such a way that it provides positioning of the various elements of the dispenser  200  to facilitate reliable operation of the device. 
         [0026]    For example, strip rollers can be rotatably supported by the support member  230  and disposed to rotatably engage the strips  227  between the roller  260  and the at least two gathering devices  240 . Like the primary roller  260 , the strip rollers are mounted in a rotatable fashion using roller bearings or other suitable structure known in the art such that the strip rollers rotate as the stretch film strips  227  move away from the cutting mechanism  233  and roll over the individual strip rollers. The strip rollers also stretch and tension the stretch film strips as they wrap and move around the strip rollers. In the illustrated example, there are separate strip rollers (one for each stretch film strip) mounted to the single support member  230  and are independently rotatable. In other approaches one strip roller may engage and stretch more than one stretch film strip. The strip rollers may each comprise one or more pre-formed plastic pieces to reduce adhesion between the stretch wrap and the strip roller&#39;s surface although other materials can be used. 
         [0027]    Optionally, an extension handle  205  is disposed opposite of the support member  230  to facilitate manual operation and control of the stretch wrap  225  as it is applied to the object. Although only one example of the support member arrangement is shown, it is contemplated that the roller  260  and cutting mechanism  233  can be supported in other ways to be biased toward the stretch wrap roll  220  with the blade in the roll&#39;s groove to operate as described. 
         [0028]    In still another example, the gathering members  240  include a rigid member mounted to the support member  230  and having a distal end extending away from the support that defines an aperture  242 . The aperture  242  is configured to receive, gather, and stretch one of the strips  227  into one of the strings as the strips  227  pass through the apertures  242 . In this example the rigid members made include any of a variety of materials having different flexibilities such that the rigid members may have some flex during the stretching and dispensing of the stretch film  225 , but not so much flex that the rigid members are unable to direct the strings toward the object being secured. As with the above examples, the inner aperture  242  may comprise or be coated in a variety of materials to effect different stretching forces on engaging the stretch wrap  225  as it moves through the aperture  242 . In still another approach, the gathering devices can be mounted so as to be rotatable to allow a user to selectively engage the gathering devices  240  mid-stream (during continuous dispensing of the stretch film) to apply un-gathered stretch film or gathered strings to a load. Examples of such gathering devices are described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0109525, titled Stretch Wrap Dispenser With Gathering Mechanism, published Apr. 24, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0029]    So configured, the dispenser  200  is able to more reliably and consistently cut, stretch, and gather the stretch film  225  into stretched strings  250  having a significant tensile strength while also being stretched out enough to effect a savings in the amount of stretch wrap  225  used to wrap and secure a particular object. Such approaches can be advantageous for certain loads that need some air circulation and thus cannot withstand being fully sealed by the stretch film. Moreover, string or rope  250  gathered in this manner is more available to be un-gathered back into a flat stretch film  225  for further or reuse. In a different approach, the string or rope  250  can be rolled up onto a roll and stored as string or rope for later dispensing and use for securing object. 
         [0030]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.