Patent ID: 7114308

Claim:
An apparatus for binding a three-dimensional load with adhesive tape, wherein the load comprises a plurality of three-dimensional items, each item having an upper end and a lower end that together define the item's height, the apparatus comprising: a turntable for supporting and rotating the three-dimensional load; an adhesive tape dispenser for dispensing adhesive tape, the dispenser being movable relative to the turntable and the load; a logistical controller arranged to control rotation of the load and the movement of the tape dispenser; and means for inputting into the logistical controller at least one dimension corresponding to the height of an item in the load and at least one dimension of the overall load; the logistical controller comprising a computer program that calculates a preferred tape-placement location on the individual item intermediate its respective upper and lower ends based upon both the inputted dimension corresponding to the height of the item and the at least one dimension of the overall load, wherein the tape-placement location is selected to optimize secure binding of the load; and the controller arranged to control the apparatus to dispense the tape onto the tape-placement location by rotating the load and moving the tape dispenser, and to thereby wrap the load in a load-specific pattern that securely binds the load.