Wrapping apparatus having top loading and threading film dispenser

Abstract

A film dispenser is provided, including an open top roll carriage having a base plate on which a film dispensing assembly, including an upstream roller and a downstream roller, may be mounted. A film path for film traveling through the film-dispensing assembly may be at least partially defined by a surface of the upstream roller and a surface of the downstream roller. The film path may be accessible via the open top of the roll carriage. The film dispenser may also include a drive assembly for the upstream roller and the downstream roller mounted below the base plate.

1 . A film dispenser comprising:
 an open top roll carriage having a base plate on which a film dispensing assembly, including an upstream roller and a downstream roller, is mounted; and   a film path for film traveling through the film-dispensing assembly, the film path being at least partially defined by a surface of the upstream roller and a surface of the downstream roller, the film path being accessible via the open top of the roll carriage; and   a drive assembly for the upstream roller and the downstream roller mounted below the base plate.   
   
   
       2 . The film dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the upstream roller is cantilevered from the base plate of the roll carriage. 
   
   
       3 . The film dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the downstream roller is cantilevered from the base plate of the roll carriage. 
   
   
       4 . The film dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the roll carriage further includes a first support connecting an upper end of the upstream roller to the base plate of the roll carriage, and a second support connecting an upper end of the downstream roller to an upper portion of the roll carriage. 
   
   
       5 . The film dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the upstream roller is supported by a first support, the first support extending in a first direction from a fixed end to a free end, and the downstream roller is supported by a second support, the second support extending in a second direction from a fixed end to a free end, the second direction substantially opposing the first direction. 
   
   
       6 . The film dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the upstream roller and the downstream roller are coupled to a serpentine drive belt, the serpentine drive belt being coupled to a drive means, and being configured to rotate the upstream roller and the downstream roller. 
   
   
       7 . The film dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the roll carriage further includes a roll support for supporting a roll of film, the roll support being vertically offset downward from the base plate of the roll carriage. 
   
   
       8 . The film dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein a top surface of the roller support lies in a plane extending through a drive housing of the drive assembly. 
   
   
       9 . The film dispenser of  claim 1 , further including a selectively tiltable film drive down roller, the selectively tiltable film drive down roller driving the film from a first elevation to a second elevation, lower than the first elevation, when the selectively tiltable drive down roller is in a tilted position. 
   
   
       10 . The film dispenser of  claim 1 , further including a roping assembly, the roping assembly forming at least a portion of the film into a cable during wrapping of the load. 
   
   
       11 . A film dispenser comprising:
 a roll carriage having a base plate on which a film dispensing assembly is mounted, and an open top opposite the base plate;   a film path for film traveling through the film-dispensing assembly, wherein the open top includes one or more passageways configured to receive a length of film for insertion downward into the film path; and   a drive assembly for driving the film dispensing assembly, wherein the drive assembly is mounted below the base plate.   
   
   
       12 . The film dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the film dispensing assembly includes an upstream roller and a downstream roller. 
   
   
       13 . The film dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the upstream roller and the downstream roller is cantilevered from the base plate of the roll carriage. 
   
   
       14 . The film dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the drive assembly is low-profile, and includes at least one sprocket, a serpentine drive belt operatively coupled to the at least one sprocket, and a housing. 
   
   
       15 . The film dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the roll carriage further includes a roll support for supporting a roll of film, the roll support being vertically offset downward from the base plate of the roll carriage. 
   
   
       16 . A method for wrapping a load, comprising:
 inserting a length of film downward into a film path of a film dispensing assembly mounted on a base plate of a roll carriage;   providing relative rotation between the film dispensing assembly and the load; and   driving the film dispensing assembly to dispense film for wrapping the load using a drive assembly mounted below the base plate.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein inserting the length of film downward includes inserting the length of film through one or more passageways above the film dispensing assembly, wherein the one or more passageways are configured to receive a continuous length of film for insertion downward into the film path. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further including wrapping a bottom portion of the load. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein driving the film dispensing assembly includes rotating an upstream dispensing roller and a downstream dispensing roller of the film dispensing assembly with the drive assembly. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including roping a portion of the film prior to the film upstream of the upstream dispensing roller.