Shrink film wrapping of pallet loads - using lateral guides to minimise film diameter for enclosing off-centre or irregular loads

摘要

Equipment for guiding a shroud of heat shrink film downwards to enclose goods supported on a pallet, using chain driven systems of grips and spacing fingers to position the fiom for welding is described in parent patent. The support frame for the suspended frame and associated grips for guiding the mouth of the tubular shroud down over the pack etc. gets a modified mounting so that it is free to move in a horizontal plane in response to ancillary guides which detect the profile of the items to be packed. Pref. air is injected within the shroud to maintain a cushion of air between the film and the pack as the mouth of the shroud is lowered. The suspended frame carries heaters to effect shrink wrapping as it is withdrawn upwards after positioning the film. The overhead frame may have means for preheating the descending film. Offers adjustment of the shroud axis to accommodate off centre or irregularly stacked loads in preference to adoption of an excessively large diameter shroud involving use of more material and higher contraction ratios.