METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING A TOP AND BOTTOM OF A LOAD

摘要

An apparatus and method for wrapping a top and bottom of a load (212) with packaging material (214) is provided. The apparatus includes at least one no n- driven packaging material guide (220a, 220b) is provided for use in combination with a powered conveying surface (218). The non-powered packagin g material guide includes at least one row of non-driven wheels (222) attached to a rail (224). The force applied by the packaging material (214) as it is wrapped around the guide is supported by both the rail (224) and the at leas t one row of non-driven wheels (222). The rail also serves to bridge any gaps between the non-driven wheels, thereby preventing capture of packaging material between the non-driven wheels. Preferably, the packaging material guide includes two rows of non-driven wheels, one on each side of the rail. Further, it is preferable that the rail connect the two rows of wheels such that the two rows of wheels form an angle of 60 degrees between them. The packaging material guide is preferably positioned above the load but may als o be positioned either below the load or to the sides of the load.