Method and apparatus for wrapping elongate load having generally circular or generally annular ends

摘要

An apparatus (10) for wrapping a wrapping film (20) over an elongate load (12), which has a generally cylindrical exterior and two generally circular or generally annular ends (18) includes two blocker rollers (32) which cradle the load (12) with its axis extending horizontally and which are arranged for rotating the load about the load axis. A dispenser (42) mounts a roll (22) of the wrapping film (20) with its axis extending vertically. The dispenser (42) is mounted on a rotatable arm (50), which is rotatable about a vertical axis. A carriage (62) is provided for mounting the dispenser (42) and for carrying the dispenser (42) and the roll (22) back and forth along the cradled load (12). Thus, the roll (22) is moved along an oblong path, whereby the film (20) pulled from the roll (22) is wrapped over the near side of the load (12), one end (18) of the load (12), the far side of the load (12), and the other end (18) of the load (12), as load (12) is rotated. The roll (22) remains at an elevation above a central portion (16) of the load (12) so as to permit the central portion (16) to remain unwrapped. IMAGE