Packaging Wrap Handle

Abstract

A handle usable for loading and applying a packaging wrap material, such as a stretch film, includes two grips or user gripping locations, a structural base and a reel for engaging a roll of packaging wrap material. In use, the roll is placed on the reel, which rotates relative to the handle to facilitate wrapping items for packaging. A hand brake is included that is usable to control or stop the rotation of the reel in order to control the tension applied to the packaging wrap material when applying it to items. In an exemplary manner of use, a shipping pallet is loaded with items to be shipped and a stretch film is wrapped around the items, using the handle, under controlled pressure to provide a tight wrap around the items.

1 . A packaging wrap dispenser comprising:
 a rigid structural base;   a first extension protruding from a first surface of the rigid structural base; and   a second extension protruding from the first surface;   the first extension including a user gripping portion, and a hand brake; and   the second extension including a reel rotationally connected to the second extension, and a user gripping portion.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a roll of packaging wrap material maintained by the reel. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a brake pad. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the brake pad is pivotally connected to the rigid structural base at a first end of the brake pad. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the brake pad is attached to a first end of a brake cable at a second end of the brake pad. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging wrap dispense of  claim 5 , wherein a second end of the brake cable is attached to the hand brake. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the brake pad is configured to be operable by the hand brake. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the brake pad is configured to control a rate of rotation of the reel relative to the second extension. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 8 , wherein the hand brake is configured to control an amount of pressure applied to the reel by the brake pad. 
     
     
         10 . A packaging wrap dispenser comprising:
 a first handle;   a second handle connected to the first handle;   a reel; and   a hand brake connected to the first handle;   wherein the hand brake is configured to control a rate of rotation of the reel.   
     
     
         11 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 10 , further comprising a linkage member between the first and second handles. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 10 , further comprising a brake pad operable connected to the hand brake. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the brake pad is configured to control a rate of rotation of the reel. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the hand brake and brake pad are configured such that operation of the hand brake controls an amount of pressure applies to the reel by the brake pad. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging wrap dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the hand brake and brake pad are connected by a brake cable. 
     
     
         16 . A method of wrapping a parcel with a packaging wrap comprising the steps of:
 providing a roll of packaging wrap on a reel, the reel being connected to first and second handles;   engaging the parcel with a terminal end of the packaging wrap from the roll;   moving the reel around the parcel to encircle the parcel with packaging wrap dispensed from the roll;   operating a hand brake to control a rate of rotation of the reel;   providing a desired level of tension to the packaging wrap as the reel is moved around the parcel.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein operating a hand brake further comprises varying an amount of pressure exerted on the reel by a brake pad. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , providing a desired level of tension further comprises applying a desired amount of pressure on the reel with the brake pad. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising tearing the packaging wrap by increasing the tension beyond the tensile strength of the packaging wrap. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising operating a cutting edge to cut the packaging wrap being dispensed by the reel.