Stretch wrapping system and process

Abstract

In one aspect, a stretch wrap system configured to separately wrap a plurality of loads in film comprising a plurality of stretch wrapping machines, each machine comprising at least one sensing mechanism configured to sense the presence of a load, and a control box electrically coupled to sensing mechanisms, the control box comprising a start button configured to start the machines when sensing mechanisms detect load. In another aspect, a process of operating a system for stretch wrapping comprising positioning at least one load to be wrapped in front of at least one of a first and second machine wherein the first machine includes a sensing mechanism electrically coupled to a control box and wherein the second machine includes a second sensing mechanism electrically coupled to the control box, inputting a start signal through the control box, transmitting a signal from the control box to each of the sensing mechanisms, determining the presence or absence of a load within an operational space of each of the plurality of stretch wrapping machines and wrapping each present load using a respective one of the plurality of stretch wrapping machines.

1 . A process of operating a system for stretch wrapping having a plurality of stretch wrapping machines, said process comprising:
 (a) providing a first and a second stretch wrapping machine, wherein each of said first stretch wrapping machine and second stretch wrapping machine has an operational space for wrapping a load, and wherein each first and second stretch wrapping machine comprises a first sensing mechanism in communication with a master control for said master control to receive a signal indicating the presence of said load in the operational space of the machine;   (b) positioning a roll of stretch wrap film onto a carrier apparatus of each of said first and second stretch wrapping machine, wherein the carrier apparatus of each said first and second machine is configured to be activated to rotate around a load present in said operational space of the machine for applying the film in tension about a load resent in the operational space;   (c) positioning a stationary load in the operational space of at least one of said stretch wrapping machines, wherein the step of positioning a load in said operational space of a machine provides the presence of a load for the first sensing mechanism of the machine and resulting signal from the sensor of the machine to the master control for identifying the presence of the load in said operational space;   (d) after said step of positioning at least one load, activating a manual start switch to deliver a start signal to the master control, said start signal comprising a signal of an operator command to initiate a stretch wrapping sequence of applying stretch wrap in tension to each load positioned in an operational space of a machine, wherein, upon receiving the start signal from the start switch and the sensor signal identifying the presence of a load in an operational space, the master control delivers a activation signal to each said stretch wrap machine having a load in said operational space, said activation signal from the master controller comprising a signal to a motor which starts a stretch wrap sequence of a load by activating movement of said carrier around the load in the operational space to apply film from said roll in tension around the load.   
     
     
         2 . A process of operating a system for stretch wrapping according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a third stretch wrap machine, said third stretch wrap machine having an operational space for wrapping a load, wherein the third stretch wrapping machine comprises a first sensing mechanism in communication with a master control for said master control to receive a signal indicating the presence of said load in the operational space of the machine.   
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 The step of providing a first and second stretch wrap machine includes providing each said machine with a pre-stretch assembly associated with the carrier, and wherein said step of activating a manual start switch to deliver a start signal to the master control includes a the master controller delivering a signal to the pre-stretch assembly to activate the assembly into a sequence of elongating film from the roll into pre-stretched film, and activating at least a portion of the pre-stretch assembly to move about the load to apply a spiraling layer of the pre-stretched film to the load.   
     
     
         4 . A stretch wrap system for wrapping loads with film in tension, said stretch wrap system comprising:
 at least two stretch wrapping machines, each stretch wrapping machine having a feed roll of stretch wrap film and a pre-stretch carrier, each said carrier being attached to an arm assembly configured to move in a stretch wrapping operation to apply the pre-stretched film in tension upon a load residing in a wrapping zone of the system;   each stretch wrapping machine having a sensing mechanism adapted to detect the presence of a load in said wrapping zone of the respective stretch wrapping machine and to transmit a signal to a controller identifying the presence of a load in the wrapping zone adjacent the machine;   a start switch configured to be activated to transmit a start signal to the controller when the start switch is activated by an operator, wherein the controller is configured to selectively deliver a signal to start a stretch wrapping sequence of each stretch wrapping machine of which said sensing mechanism has signaled presence of a load and wherein said control simultaneously prevents the start of a stretch wrapping machine having no load in the wrapping zone of said machine.   
     
     
         5 . The stretch wrap system of  claim 4 , wherein each said machine further comprises a stand having a boom with said carrier attached to the boom, and wherein each sad machine comprises at least one motor configured to be activated by the controller to direct movement of the carrier within the wrapping zone for applying the film in tension onto a load when positioned in the zone. 
     
     
         6 . The stretch wrap system of  claim 4 , wherein each said machine further comprises a boom arm comprising a carriage holder and a pre-stretch assembly is coupled to said carriage holder, and wherein said pre-stretch carrier is configured to elongate the film as pre-stretched film to be applied as a spiraling layer of the pre-stretched film onto the load when the master controller signals activation of a wrapping sequence of the machine. 
     
     
         7 . The stretch wrap system of  claim 6 , wherein said carriage further comprises a dancer bar assembly comprising a dancer bar and a cam coupled to said dancer bar, said dancer bar assembly is adapted to allow a greater length of film applied at corners of the load. 
     
     
         8 . The stretch wrap system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is comprised of multiple control devices in communication with each other. 
     
     
         9 . A stretch wrap system for wrapping pallet loads with film in tension, said stretch wrap system comprising:
 a plurality of stretch wrapping machines, each stretch wrap machine being positioned adjacent a respective wrapping zone configured for receiving a stationary load placed by an operator and having a feed roll of dispensable stretch wrap film, wherein each said machine is has a carrier configured to dispense the film from the feed roll in tension when directed in a wrapping sequence about a load positioned in the respective wrapping zone adjacent the machine;   each said wrapping machine having a sensing mechanism configured to detect the presence of a stationary load in said adjacent wrapping zone, said sensing mechanism being configured to transmit to a controller a load-presence signal to provide the controller indication whether a stationary load is present in said wrapping zone;   a start switch configured for selective manual activation is in communication with the controller to provide a start signal to the master controller, said controller being in communication with each of said plurality of stretch wrapping machines to activate a stretch wrapping sequence of each machine independently to start a drive assembly for applying the film to a load residing in the wrapping zone;   wherein the master controller, after receiving a signal from the start switch and signal from at least one sensor, selectively identifies which of the plurality of stretch wrapping machines is to be activated and delivers a signal to each said machine to be activated to initiate movement of wrapping of the stretch wrap film in tension about a stationary load a sensor has identified as being present in a wrapping zone.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein each said machine further comprises at least one stand and at least one base coupled thereto, and wherein the carrier is secured to a boom attached to the stand and movement of the carrier is controlled by a motor activated by the controller when the controller receives a start signal. 
     
     
         11 . The stretch wrap system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is comprised of multiple control devices in communication with each other.