Patent ID: 6938398

Claim:
A system for enclosing a load with film, the load being placed on a pallet and having a top, a bottom, and sides, the film being in the form of a sleeve having sides that define an inner space when separated, the system comprising: a frame including a plurality of vertical members defining an inside of the frame; a platform positioned within the inside of the frame on which the pallet is receivable; a clamp for engaging the sides of the load independently of the pallet when the pallet is disposed on the platform so that the load can be separated from the pallet; a rack mounted to the frame such that the rack is vertically movable between an upper position in which the rack is above the top of the load and a lower position in which the rack is below the bottom of the load when the pallet is disposed on the platform; a pair of cross members mounted to the rack such that the cross members are horizontally movable; engagement means mounted to the cross members for engaging the sides of the film; and sealing means for sealing the sides of the film together when the load is separated from the pallet; whereby the load is enclosed by performing the following procedure: the pallet is placed on the platform; the sides of the film are engaged with the engagement means when the rack is in the upper position; the cross members are moved outwardly to separate the sides of film; the rack is moved to the lower position, thereby enveloping the load within the sleeve; the load is engaged with the clamp; the platform is lowered to separate the load from the pallet; the cross members are moved inwardly so that the sides of the film are brought together; the sides of film are sealed with the sealing means; the sides of the film are disengaged from the engagement means; the cross members are moved outwardly; and the platform is raised to replaced the load on the pallet.