Patent ID: 7000370

Claim:
Apparatus for automated stretch wrapping of articles in a stretchable transparent film, comprising: means for holding a supply of the film; film advancing means for advancing the film forwardly over an opening at a wrapping station; film clamping means for holding the film in a generally planar web across the opening; means for placing an article to be wrapped on the film web at the wrapping station; means for pushing the article against the film and through the opening to stretch the film and form a bag-like enclosure at least partially enveloping the article; and film gathering, sealing and trimming means adjacent the opening for gathering excess film material extending between the opening and the article, said film gathering, sealing and trimming means operative to gather the film in two stages to fully envelope the article, including a first stage in which the film is gathered into a generally flattened condition, and a second stage in which the film is further gathered into a necked down condition, and said sealing and trimming means is operative to engage the necked down film to seal it and separate the excess film from the stretch-wrapped article.