Patent ID: 7389625

Claim:
A packaging apparatus comprising: a support unit having a first cantilevered support shaft with an unsupported first open end portion and a supported first base portion, the first cantilevered support shaft being adapted to rotatably support a film roll; a packaging unit operatively coupled to the support unit, and adapted to package items using a film of the film roll supported by the support unit; and a temporary holding unit having a second cantilevered support shaft that has an unsupported second open end portion and a supported second base portion, the second cantilevered support shaft being adapted to support the film roll, and a movement mechanism having a plate member movably mounted on the second cantilevered support shaft and a drive mechanism configured to controllably move the plate member toward and away from the second open end portion relative to the second cantilevered support shaft, the drive mechanism being configured to move the plate member to controllably pass the film roll from the second cantilevered support shaft to the first cantilevered support shaft so that the film roll is moved with respect to the second base end of the second cantilevered support shaft along an axial direction of the second cantilevered support shaft when the first open end portion of the first cantilevered support shaft and the second open end portion of the second cantilevered support shaft are substantially aligned.