Handheld wrap-dispensing tool with consistent wrap force and rapid wrap roll replacement

Abstract

A handheld wrap-dispensing tool for dispensing wrap material from a roll over packages to be securely shipped on a shipping pallet. The tool enables quick and easy changing of the roll, thereby greatly reducing time needed to replace rolls of wrap material. The tool includes a pole having a handle end and a locking end having a retaining pin. A compression spring is mounted along the pole and abutts a lock collar, such that the spring is compressed in accordance with the position of the lock collar along the pole. A bottom cone has a through-slot and a retention notch perpendicular to the through-slot that allows passage of the retaining pin, and then allows rotating the pole so as to seat or unseat the retaining pin in the retention notch to attach or remove the bottom cone from the locking end so as to quickly change the roll of material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handheld wrap-dispensing tool for dispensing wrap material from a roll over packages supported on a shipping pallet, also facilitating quick and easy changing of the roll, the tool comprising:
 a pole having a handle end, and a locking end having a retaining pin;   a lock collar adjustably mounted at a position along the pole;   a spring mounted along the pole and abutting the lock collar, the spring configured to be compressed in accordance with the position of the lock collar along the pole;   a top plate slidably mounted along the pole and abutting the spring, also configured to press against a roll of wrap material when the spring is compressed;   a bottom cone having a through-slot and a retention notch perpendicular to the through-slot, the through-slot configured to allow passage of the retaining pin by pushing the pole towards the bottom cone so as to compress the spring, and then rotating the pole 90 degrees so as to either seat or unseat the retaining pin in the retention notch to respectively attach or remove the bottom cone from the locking end of the pole so as to change the roll of material.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the lock collar includes a set screw configured to be adjustably secured at the position along the pole. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom cone has a bottom surface that is configured to create friction between the bottom and the floor so as to prevent rotation of the bottom cone relative to the floor when rotating the pole 90 degrees so as to either seat or unseat the retaining pin in the retention notch to respectively attach or remove the bottom cone from the locking end of the pole so as to change the roll of material. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom cone is configured to stand upright. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom cone is configured to have a portion that fits within an end of a roll of wrap material when the spring is compressed. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom cone is a truncated cone of a height that provides clearance to allow pushing the pole towards the bottom cone so as to compress the spring, and then to allow rotating the pole 90 degrees so as to either seat or unseat the retaining pin in the retention notch. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the pole is a tube having a length and a diameter each configured to accommodate a plurality of various rolls of wrap material. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the lock collar is configured to be locked along the pole at a specific position in accordance with the weight and stability of a palletized load, thereby creating and maintaining an amount of spring compression force that results in a repeatable wrap force that can provide a required containment force for the palletized load. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the top plate is configured to have a portion that fits within an end of a roll of wrap material when the spring is compressed. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining pin is shorter than the inner diameter of a roll of wrap material. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining pin is configurable to fit within a roll of wrap material. 
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the handle end of the pole is covered by a material configured to enhance grip effectiveness and comfort.