Stretch Wrap and Dispenser

Abstract

A stretch wrap applicator includes a member designed to engage the stretch wrap or stretch film as it is dispensed and to deform the stretch wrap by creating additional pockets of stretch on the stretch wrap transverse to its plane. The additional deformations caused by the member engaging the stretch wrap whether done in-line using the applicator or offline using equipment effects an additional stretch of the stretch film during application beyond the typical stretch caused by tension on stretch wrap when being applied to an object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying a stretch film to an object, the apparatus comprising:
 a support configured to support a roll of stretch film and dispense the stretch film in response to tension on the stretch film;   at least one member having protrusions configured to engage the stretch film after the stretch film extends from the roll and before the stretch film contacts the object;   wherein the protrusions are configured to distort but not pierce the stretch film along a length of the stretch film engaging the at least one member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a support frame and wherein the support frame comprises a rotatable arm configured to rotate with the roll of stretch film relative to the support frame. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the support frame comprises an extension handle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one member having protrusions comprises an elongated rotatable member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the elongated rotatable member is cylindrical with the protrusions extending out from a radius of the cylinder. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a handle configured to effect manual dispensing of the stretch film. 
     
     
         7 . A method for preparing a stretch film for application to an object, the method comprising:
 engaging stretch film with at least one member having protrusions to alter the stretch film along a length of the stretch film by the engaging the at least one member.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising maintaining tension on the stretch film after the stretch film engages the at least one member to effect additional stretch and/or increase ventilation from the stretch film before application to an object. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the engaging the stretch film comprises the at least one member rotating with the stretch film as the stretch film engagingly moves past the at least one member. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising dispensing the stretch film from a roll before the engaging the stretch film with the at least one member and just before application to the object. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising rolling the stretch film onto a roll for later dispensing after the engaging the stretch film with the at least one member. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for applying a stretch film to an object, the apparatus comprising:
 a support configured to support a roll of stretch film and dispense the stretch film in response to tension on the stretch film;   a support frame comprising:
 a rotatable arm configured to rotate with the roll of stretch film relative to the support frame, and 
 an extension handle; 
   at least one elongated rotatable member having protrusions configured to engage the stretch film after the stretch film extends from the roll and before the stretch film contacts the object;   wherein the protrusions are configured to distort or pierce the stretch film along a length of the stretch film engaging the at least one member.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the elongated rotatable member is cylindrical with the protrusions extending out from a radius of the cylinder. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  comprising a handle configured to effect manual dispensing of the stretch film.