Plastic wrap connector

Abstract

A connector is attached to one end of plastic wrapping film as it is deployed from a roll. A connector firmly holds one end of the plastic wrap material as it is bunched together. An operator, once having connected the plastic to the connector, then attaches the connector to a package to be wrapped. The plastic is then deployed (either manually or automatically) from the roll around the package.

I claim:  
     
         1 . Connector for connecting plastic wrapping material to a package to be wrapped, said connector comprising: 
 (a) two arms connected at one end of each to form a substantially V-shaped structure with an interior apex; and,    (b) a hook structure arranged at one end of one of said arms, and configured to connect to said package to be wrapped.    
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said plastic wrap is a stretchable film.  
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein said plastic stretchable film is deployed from a roll.  
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 3 , wherein said hook structure is semi-circular in shape.  
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said connector is laterally and longitudinally flexible.  
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 5 , further comprising a concavity formed at said interior apex.  
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said hook structure further comprises means for gripping said package to be wrapped.  
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 7 , wherein said means for gripping comprise a serrated edge on an interior surface of said hook structure.  
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 7 , wherein said means for gripping comprise adhesive material arranged on an interior surface of said hook structure.  
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said connector is constituted by a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, rubber, wood, cardboard and metal.  
     
     
         11 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said package to be wrapped includes a pallet to which said hook structure is connected.  
     
     
         12 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein said connector is substantially 0.1 inch in thickness and constituted by a low density plastic.  
     
     
         13 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said two arms and said interior apex comprise means for gripping said plastic wrapping material.  
     
     
         14 . The method of wrapping a package with plastic wrapping material, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) attaching one end of said plastic wrapping material to a first part of a connector;    (b) attaching a second part of said connector to said package; and,    (c) deploying said plastic wrapping material around said package.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said plastic wrapping material is stretchable film deployed from a roll.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (a) of attaching a second part of said connector to said package and step (b) of deploying said plastic film are carried out under tension as said film is deployed from said roll wherein said plastic film stretches as it is deployed.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said package comprises a pallet and said step (b) of attaching a second part of said connector comprises attaching said second part of said connector to said pallet.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein step (b) of attaching a second part of said connector is carried out by a human operator and step (c) of deploying said plastic film is carried out using an automated plastic film deployment system.