Patent ID: 8037661

Claim:
A shuttle change system for use in a wrapping apparatus for wrapping an associated item, the wrapping apparatus having an oval track vertically oriented with a cantilevered base portion and an openable portion in the track to move the item into and out of the track, the wrapping apparatus including a shuttle configured for movement along an inner periphery of the track, the shuttle having a wrapping material dispensed therefrom for wrapping around the item, the shuttle change system comprising: a carrier; a pair of track sections mounted to the carrier, spaced from one another, the track sections being parallel to one another and each adapted to support a shuttle, wherein the carrier is moveable vertically, longitudinally and laterally to align either of the pair of tracks with the cantilevered base portion of the track, and wherein one of the tracks is adapted to receive a shuttle to be replaced and the other of the tracks is adapted to store a replacement shuttle for movement onto the track, the carrier being movable away from the track to permit the openable track portion to open and close without interference.