EP0411981A1 - Method and machine for banding a palettized load - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to: A helical wrapping machine for the vertical lateral faces (4) of a palletized load (2) with a strip of plastic film (5) whose width is a fraction of the height of the load (2 ) which comprises: - a frame (6); - A table (7) supporting the load (2) in a fixed position during the wrapping of the load (2) and which may be associated with means for supplying and evacuating the load (2); - a carriage (8) movable supporting a film reel (9) with axis (9a) of generally vertical direction; - mechanical means (10) for supporting and guiding the carriage (8), carried by the frame (6), such that the carriage (8) can be moved according to a movement resulting from the combination of a vertical upward movement and / or descending and of a horizontal loop movement surrounding the load (2); - Means (11) for driving the carriage (8) capable of ensuring its effective displacement, along an at least substantially helical path with a vertical axis (12) surrounding the load (2), with a view to helical wrapping with the strip film (5); characterized in that it further comprises and in combination: - means (27) for deflecting in its own plane the film strip (5) coming from the film reel (9) and for vertical offset of the section of film downstream outlet (28) of the film strip (5), with respect to the film reel (9), which means (27) are on the one hand carried by the carriage (8) at least substantially opposite the reel of film (9) and, on the other hand, deformable during the wrapping between two extreme configurations corresponding to two distinct extreme states respectively active where they provide the maximum vertical deviation and offset and inactive where the deviation and offset are zero or minimum ; - Means (29) for controlling and driving the means (27) for deflection and vertical shift to make them pass from their active state to their inactive state or vice versa; - So that in a certain relative situation of the carriage (8), during wrapping, the implementation of the means (29) of control and drive has the effect of a relative offset in the vertical direction of the downstream outlet section (28 ) of the film strip (5) applied to the load (2) relative to the film reel (9).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a machine for helically wrapping a palletized load with a strip of film of stretchable plastic.

Machines of this type are already known comprising (documents EP 0 177 413, 0 220 712, US 4 109 445 and US 4 587 796 or machine sold by the NEWTEC INTERNATIONAL group under the name ("DRA-PAL OCTOPUS") a frame , a load position support table fixed during the wrapping of the load and which can be associated with means of supply and means for discharging the load (such as roller conveyors); '' a reel of film with a generally vertical direction axis; mechanical means for supporting and guiding the carriage, carried by the frame, such that the carriage can be moved according to a movement resulting from the combination of a vertical upward movement and / or descending and of a horizontal loop movement surrounding the load; and carriage drive means capable of ensuring its effective movement, in particular along an at least substantially helical path with a vertical axis surrounded nt the load, with a view to wrapping with the film strip.

The mechanical means for supporting and guiding the carriage can be the subject of several variant embodiments: rotating arm (documents EP 0 177 413, EP 0 220 712 and US 4 109 445) or horizontal frame, surrounding the load, movable in vertical direction and along which the carriage is moved (document US 4,587,796).

In one possible variant, the machine is not automatic (document US 4 109 445) and, in this case, the initial attachment of the film strip to the load, the terminal cross section of the film strip and the association of the extreme end part of the film strip with the banded load are carried out manually. In another variant, these operations are carried out automatically, the wrapping machine being automatic and comprising, for this purpose, carried by support means, means for transversely cutting the strip of film made active at the end of the wrapping of the load. ; means for temporarily holding the initial end portion of the film strip coming from the film reel, active before the flow of the wrapping; means for associating the terminal end portion of the film strip with the banded load active at the end of the banding; and means for controlling and operating the cutting means, holding means and association means (documents EP 0 177 413 and US 4,587,796).

With machines of this type, it is possible to carry out a helical wrapping of the vertical lateral faces of a palletized load and for this purpose a load to be wrapped is brought and placed on the support table in a fixed position; the initial end portion of the film strip coming from the film reel is held against a vertical face of the load; the load remaining always fixed, the film reel is moved around the load and, consequently, the film reel is unwound and the load is banded with the film strip coming from the reel the film flow rate being determined to be this which is appropriate according to the type of wrapping carried out; at least one turn of film strip is thus produced on the load; the film strip is cut transversely; the terminal end part of the film strip is associated with the banded load; and on the one hand the new initial extreme part of the film strip is maintained, on the other hand the banded load is removed, so that another banding process can be repeated with another load.

According to an implementation which is also known, helical wrapping is carried out, the film reel being, at the start of the wrapping process, in the extreme lower position, that is to say in its relative position closest to the table in the direction vertical; then the film reel is moved in an upward helical movement around the load and until the film strip covers its vertical lateral faces. Then, a downward helical movement is carried out on the film reel to make a second layer of film strip covering and intersecting on the first layer produced during the upward helical wrapping and this until the film reel returns to its initial position in the lower extreme position.

The method and the machine described above in general can be the subject of variant embodiments or improvements.

First of all, this technology is preferably implemented with a stretch film, preferably stretched beyond, in particular clearly beyond, the elastic limit so as to create subsequently, once applied to the load, compressive and holding forces. load cohesion. However, this technology can also be implemented with a non-stretchable film, in particular a heat-shrinkable film. The film can be solid or perforated, thus forming a net. It may be more or less wide. The wrapping can be continuous with all the turns of film overlapping or discontinuous, certain areas of the load remaining free (see in particular documents FR 2 505 775, US 4,204,377, US 4,235,062). The process and the machine are manual, semi-automatic or automatic.

Regarding the implementation with a pre-stretched stretch film before its application to the load, a motorized or non-motorized pre-stretching device is used, with two upstream and downstream rollers or with a single roller, as well that this results from documents FR 2 281 275, FR 2 468 506, FR 2 470 056, FR 2 489 780, FR 2 571 655, FR 2 571 656, as well as from the known existence of a pre-stretching device known under the name of "DYNA-DRAPEUR" marketed by the companies of the NEWTEC INTERNATIONAL Group and of a pre-stretching device "VARISTRETCH" of the company MULLER MANUFACTURING INC.

Then, the machine can also comprise, carried by the frame, a pressure plate mounted so as to be able to be raised or lowered, by means of drive means and freely pivoting about its vertical axis, driven pivotally by the load when it is applied on its upper horizontal face; a gripper for gripping the film which can be opened and closed and retracted as a whole, by means of drive, carried by the table, or the carriage, or the pressure plate; and associated with the clamp, means for transversely cutting the film and / or means for securing the film to itself or to the load (see in particular documents US 4 255 918, US 4 271 657, US 4 336 679, US 4 387 548, US 4 387 552, US 4 418 510, US 4 050 221, US 4 302 920, FR 2 416 167, EP 0 110 751, FR 2 535 297, FR 2 572 359, GB 2 014 107).

One of the problems which arises in this kind of machine (known as the type with fixed table and swivel film reel) is that of the interference of some of its moving parts with other moving parts or fixed parts. For example, it is necessary that the carriage which supports the film reel is sufficiently spaced in a vertical direction, above the support table, so that it (and the means which it supports, as well the film) does not interfere with the support table and / or with the supply means and the load evacuation means (conveyors) which extend vertically up to a certain level. Likewise, the mechanical means for supporting and guiding the carriage, the carriage and the film strip coming from the carriage must not inadvertently interfere with the cross-cutting means, the temporary holding means and means of association.

If we refer to document EP 0 220 712, it can be seen that initially the film reel is very substantially offset in a vertical direction and upwards with respect to the lower horizontal face or to the lower horizontal edge of the defined palletized load. by the load support pallet or by the palletized load support table. And, the film strip coming from the film reel is taken by a gripping device located below the film reel which has the effect that the film strip located between this gripping device and the reel of film is crumpled irregularly with, as a consequence, an unsatisfactory wrapping of the film at the lower part of the palletized load, whereas, precisely, this area of the load should receive a wrapping of excellent quality both for mechanical reasons of load, impact protection, etc ...

The main aim of the invention is therefore to propose a method and a wrapping machine of the type mentioned above (fixed table and swivel film reel) in which the wrapping carried out on the lower part of the load is of excellent quality, in particular s 'extending to the lower edge of the load.

In addition, another object of the invention is to propose a wrapping machine of the type mentioned above in which there is no interference unwanted unwanted or risk of interference between the various parts of the machine including fixed and mobile parts.

Finally, another object of the invention is to provide a method and a machine of the type mentioned above in which it is possible, also in the lower extreme part of the load, to longitudinally pleat the film strip - regular and not controlled pleating random - giving it the function of a rope.

Palletised load packaging machines are already known in which such a longitudinal pleating of the film strip is carried out, before its application to the load, in the manner of a rope (in particular documents US 4,204,377, US 4,255 918 and US 4,271,657). However, these devices are then applied to a machine in which the load is pivoting and the film reel support carriage only movable in the vertical direction. However, such machines do not have the limit of machines of the type according to the invention mentioned above since the film reel is not likely to interfere with the support table or with the conveyors for supplying and discharging the load.

To this end, the invention provides a helical wrapping machine for the vertical lateral faces of a palletized load with a strip of plastic film whose width is a fraction of the height of the load which comprises a frame; a load position support table fixed during the wrapping of the load and with which can be associated means for supplying and evacuation of the load; a movable carriage supporting a film reel with a generally vertical direction axis; mechanical means for supporting and guiding the carriage, carried by the frame, such that the carriage can be moved according to a movement resulting from the combination of a vertical upward and / or downward movement and a horizontal loop movement surrounding the load; carriage drive means capable of ensuring its effective displacement, along an at least substantially helical path of vertical axis surrounding the load, for helical wrapping with the film strip.

According to the invention, this machine can comprise, first of all, in addition and in combination: means for deflecting in its own plane the film strip coming from the film reel and for vertical offset of the output section downstream of the film strip, with respect to the film reel, which means are on the one hand carried by the carriage at least substantially opposite the film reel and, on the other hand, deformable during wrapping between two extreme configurations corresponding to two distinct extreme states respectively active where they provide the maximum vertical deviation and offset and inactive where the deviation and offset are zero or minimum; and, secondly, means for controlling and driving the deflection and vertical shift means to make them pass from their active state to their inactive state or vice versa; so that in a certain relative situation of the carriage, during wrapping, the use of the control and drive means has the effect of a relative offset in the vertical direction of the downstream outlet section of the film strip applied to the load compared to the film reel. Secondly, this machine may further include support means for transverse cutting means of the film strip made active at the end of the wrapping of the load; means for temporarily holding the initial end portion of the film strip coming from the film reel, active before the wrapping begins; means of association of the party end of the strip of film with the banded load, active at the end of the banding; and means for controlling and operating the cutting means, holding means and association means; which support means are arranged to allow sliding in the vertical direction of the cutting, holding and association means and are essentially placed below the means, between the latter and the level of the support table, which has the effect of clear the space above the means.

The invention also relates to a method of helical wrapping of the vertical lateral faces of a palletized load with a strip of plastic film whose width is a fraction of the height of the load in which: a load is brought and placed wrapping on a support table in a fixed position; maintaining the initial end portion of a film strip from a film reel with a generally vertical axis against a vertical face of the load; the load remaining fixed, the film reel is moved around the load and, consequently, the film reel is unwound and the load is wrapped with the film strip coming from the reel; at least one turn of film strip is thus produced on the load; the film strip is cut transversely; the terminal end part of the film strip is associated with the banded load; the new initial end portion of the film strip is maintained and the banded load is removed; characterized in that in at least one step of wrapping the load with the film strip, the film reel is moved in a horizontal loop path and, in this step, the film strip unwound from the reel is deflected and shifts it in the vertical direction.

• - La figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une variante possible de machine selon l'invention.
• - Les figures 2, 3, 4 sont trois vues schématiques en élévation d'une variante possible de machine selon l'invention respectivement sans décalage, avec décalage, et avec décalage et pliage ou roulage.
• - Les figures 5 et 6 sont deux vues schématiques respectivement de dessus et frontale en élévation du chariot et des moyens de déviation de film de la machine selon l'invention.
• - Les figures 7 et 9 sont deux vues de côté du chariot illustrant plus en détail les moyens de déviation et les moyens de commande et d'entraînement de ceux-ci.
• - La figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 7.
• - La figure 10 est une vue éclatée du chariot et des pièces support des barres de déviation et de guidage.
• - Les figures 11 et 12 sont similaires aux figures 7 et 9 et illustrent le pivotement et le coulissement des barres de déviation et de guidage ainsi que le coulissement du vérin d'entraînement et son coulissement par rapport à la patte en fourche de la plaquette support des barres de déviation et de guidage.
• - La figure 13 est une vue en plan, en élévation illustrant la déviation et le décalage du film.

The other characteristics of the invention will result from the description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a possible variant of machine according to the invention.
• - Figures 2, 3, 4 are three schematic elevational views of a possible variant of machine according to the invention respectively without offset, with offset, and with offset and folding or rolling.
• - Figures 5 and 6 are two schematic views respectively from above and front in elevation of the carriage and film deflection means of the machine according to the invention.
• - Figures 7 and 9 are two side views of the carriage illustrating in more detail the deflection means and the control and drive means thereof.
• - Figure 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.
• - Figure 10 is an exploded view of the carriage and the support parts of the deflection and guide bars.
• - Figures 11 and 12 are similar to Figures 7 and 9 and illustrate the pivoting and sliding of the deflection and guide bars as well as the sliding of the drive cylinder and its sliding relative to the fork leg of the support plate deflection and guide bars.
• - Figure 13 is a plan view, in elevation illustrating the deflection and offset of the film.

The machine according to the invention is intended for helical wrapping of the vertical lateral faces 1 of a palletized load 2, furthermore limited by an upper horizontal face 3 and a lower horizontal face 4 (under pallet), with a film strip 5 plastic material whose width or width is a fraction of the height of the load 2 (between the faces 3 and 4). The palletized load 2 comprises on the one hand a lower pallet 2a forming a support and template and, on the other hand, the load 2 itself resting by its lower face on the pallet 2a.

The machine according to the invention is of the type with fixed table and film reel with pivoting axis. To this end, it comprises a frame 6; a table 7 supporting the load 2 in a fixed position during the wrapping of the load 2 and which may be associated with supply means and means for discharging the load 2 (such as supply conveyors and evacuation with coplanar rollers with table 7); a carriage 8, movable, supporting a film reel 9 with axis 9a of generally vertical direction; mechanical means 10 for supporting and guiding the carriage 8, carried by the frame 6, such that the carriage 8 can be displaced according to a displacement resulting from the combination of a vertical upward and / or downward displacement and a displacement in horizontal loop surrounding load 2; means 10 for driving the carriage 8 capable of ensuring its effective movement, along an at least substantially helical path with a vertical axis 12, surrounding the load 2, with a view to helical wrapping with the film strip 5. The frame 6 can have vertical uprights (for example four) 13 supporting, at their upper ends, longitudinal members 14 forming a horizontal superstructure frame. This frame 6 surrounds the table 7 placed inside and in the lower position. The support table 7 is generally of the type allowing both the fixed maintenance, above, of the palletized load 2 but also its supply and its evacuation. For example, the table 7 is with rollers controlled as regards their movement and their blocking by means of a geared motor (not shown) or equivalent. This table 7 is fixed as a whole (as opposed to the so-called pivoting tables of wrapping machines with pivoting table and film reel with fixed axis). The table 7, horizontal, has an axis which is (or is close to) the axis 12. The carriage 8 constitutes a compact assembly and it comprises, for example, a lower horizontal plate 15 and an upper horizontal plate 16, spaced apart vertically and facing each other, the spacing corresponding substantially to that of the width of the film, that is to say the axial length of the film reel 9 placed between the two plates 15, 16.

The means 10 can be the subject of variant embodiments. In the case of Figure 1, they are of the rotating arm type. To this end, they then comprise a vertical mast 17, off-center with respect to the axis 12 but parallel to it, supporting the carriage 8 rather downwards and itself supported, at its upper end 18, at the outer end of a horizontal console 19 pivotally mounted around the axis 12 on the frame 6 and in particular its superstructure frame. In this variant, the carriage 8 is mounted so as to be able to slide vertically upwards or downwards on the mast 17 by means of sliding means 20 such as a vertical track with which rollers or the like cooperate. The drive means 11 may comprise, in this variant, a motorization 21 of the carriage 8 along the mast 17 and a motorization 22 of the console 19 (therefore of the mast 17) around the axis 12. These motorizations 21, 22 are controlled from a control cabinet comprising a programmed automaton, such that the console 19, therefore the mast 17, can be rotated or locked in rotation and the carriage 8 can be slidably driven on the mast 17 or blocked in translation in a coordinated manner appropriate to the packaging to be produced.

However, the means 10 can also be produced according to other variants. Thus, the carriage can be fixed to a horizontal ring pivotally mounted around the main vertical axis of the machine, carried by a horizontal frame mounted on the frame with vertical sliding up or down, a motor carried by the frame allowing the crown drive (see document US 4,587,796). Or, again, the carriage can be slidably mounted on a circular track or equivalent surrounding the load, which track is part of a frame mounted on the frame with vertical sliding up or down.

The machine may also include a presser 23, carried by the frame 6, in particular by the superstructure frame, situated in a horizontal plane, of axis 12, carried so as to be able to pivot around the axis 12 and be raised or lowered vertically by means of drive 24 so as to be applied to or released from the upper horizontal face 3 of the load 2. Such a presser 23 intended to be applied to the upper horizontal face 3 of the load contributes to its hold in position during wrapping.

In the case of an automatic machine, the latter also preferably comprises means for cross-cutting the film strip 5 made active at the end of the wrapping of the load 2; means for temporarily holding the initial end portion of the film strip 5 coming from the film reel 9, active before the wrapping begins; means for associating the end end portion of the film strip 5 with the wrapped load 2, active at the end of the wrapping; and means for controlling and operating the cutting means, holding means and association means.

These cutting means, temporary holding, association with their control and maneuvering means can be presented, in themselves, or be incorporated in a set in general form of clamp and / or applicator mounted mobile to be active, inactive, retracted. We can refer to this in the known state of the art (in particular documents US 4,587,796, EP 0 177 413 or "DRA-PAL OCTOPUS" machine already cited). This set of means can be carried by the carriage 8 or by the presser 23 (see document EP 0 180 517) or even directly by the frame. According to a variant of the invention (Figure 2), these means designated as a whole by the reference 25 and shown only diagrammatically can be carried by support means 26. The support means 26 are essentially placed below the means 25, between these last and the level of the support table 7, which has the effect of clearing the space above the means 25. For example, the support means 26 are constituted by a lifting table. This lifting table 26 is preferably placed in the immediate vicinity of the rotary table 7, between the latter and the track of the mast 17 or of the carriage 8 on the horizontal plane of the rotary table 7. The location of the support means 26 is lateral, at the distance between the feed and discharge conveyors 2. Several alternative embodiments can be envisaged as regards the vertical sliding stroke of the support means 26, therefore of the means 25. Either the stroke is limited, the means 25 remaining in the vicinity of the support table 7 but which can, in this vicinity, be raised or lowered rather up above or down below, at least partially, of the support table 7. Either the stroke is larger and could go upwards to the vicinity of the upper horizontal face 3 of the load 2 (or of the presser 23). The choice of the variant is defined as a function of the type of packaging to be produced: helical with two crossed layers rising internally and descending externally in the first case; separate bands forming a single layer helical banding or wrapping in the second case. The production of a lifting table 26 having the characteristics indicated can be the subject of different variants: the table can be supported by a vertical piston placed below or by a rack or by articulated crutches.

The film 5 used can be of the stretch or non-stretch type, in particular heat-shrinkable. It can be solid or openwork like a net. It may be more or less wide. The wrapping may be continuous, all the turns of film 5 overlapping or discontinuous, certain areas of the load remaining free.

According to the invention, the machine also comprises, in combination, first of all, means 27 for deflecting in its own plane the film strip 5 coming from the film reel 9 and for vertical offset of the downstream outlet section 28 of the film strip 5, relative to the film reel 9, which means 27 are on the one hand carried by the carriage 8 at least substantially opposite the film reel 9 and, on the other hand, deformable during the wrapping between two extreme configurations corresponding to two distinct extreme states respectively active where they provide maximum and inactive vertical deviation and offset where the deviation and offset are zero or minimum; and, secondly, means 29 for controlling and driving the means 27 for vertical deflection and offset to make them pass from their active state to their inactive state or vice versa; so that in a certain relative situation of the carriage 8, during wrapping, the implementation of the control and drive means 29 has the effect of a shift relative in the vertical direction of the downstream outlet section 28 of the film strip 5 applied to the load 2 with respect to the film reel 9.

We now refer to FIG. 13 which illustrates in more detail the deflection and the offset of the film 5. In this figure, the film reel 9 and the film 5 itself are shown in elevation, the plane of this figure being, in the machine, a vertical plane. D denotes the longitudinal central line of the film 5, that is to say the line located at equal distance from the two free longitudinal edges lower 30 and upper 31 of the film strip. The film 5 coming from the film reel 9 can be, fictitiously, divided into several sections placed longitudinally one after the other, from upstream to downstream in the direction of travel F of the film 5 during the wrapping of the reel of film 9 to the load 2, namely: an upstream section 32 at the output of the reel 9, adjoining the reel 9, an intermediate section 33 on which the deflection and the offset are made, adjoining the upstream section 32 downstream of this last and the downstream outlet section 28 downstream of the intermediate section 33 and up to the load 2. The intermediate section 33 has two transverse folds (from one edge 30 to the other 31) of the film strip 5, respectively an upstream fold 34 and a downstream fold 35. The two folds 34, 35 can be defined as a folding of the film strip 5 on itself. The two folds 34, 35 are spaced from each other along the straight line D by a certain distance L. The two folds 34, 35 are parallel to each other and they are not perpendicular to the straight line D (c that is to say parallel to the transverse direction T of the film strip, which direction is perpendicular to the straight line D) but inclined to the transverse direction T with an angle α. In the intermediate section 33, the film strip therefore forms made of folds 34, 35, two or three superimposed layers, in accordion. Given the inclination of the folds 34, 35 in the transverse direction T and the parallelism of the two folds 34, 35 the downstream outlet section 28 is offset with respect to the upstream section 32 by a value H = L sin. α. This means that the straight line D, in the section 28, is offset parallel and along the axis 9a with respect to its position in the upstream section 32, this offset being equal to H, as has been defined. Consequently, the longitudinal edges 30, 31 in the section 28 are offset (vertically on the machine) relative to the longitudinal edges 30, 31 in the section 32 the offset is represented by the side H in the figure. The offset can be made up or down (respectively towards the edges 31 or 30) depending on the direction in which the folds 34, 35 are made. The offset is, in fact, made, with respect to the coil 9 on the opposite side where the folds 34, 35 (more precisely the straight lines which extend them) meet the axis 9a. In the case of the figures, the folds 34, 35 have their intersection with the axis 9a above the reel 9, so that the film is shifted downwards. In particular, the distance between the axis 9a and the points of intersection of the folds 34, 35 with the edges 30, 31 of the film 5 is greater for the lower edge 30 than for the upper edge 31. Preferably and according to the invention, as follows from the following, the film 5 is preferably shifted downwards, that is to say that the lower edge 30 is located lower for the section 28 than for the section 32. Or, in other words, the end part of the film 5 used for packaging is located at a lower level than the reel 9. This is obtained with a strip of film 5 which remains stretched and flattened, without being crumpled or deformed in its section used for packaging.

As follows from the description, thanks to the means 29, the means 27 allow the film 5 either to not be deflected or offset (Figure 2), or to be deflected or offset (Figure 3).

In a first alternative embodiment, the means 29 for controlling and driving the means 27 for vertical deflection and offset are manual and comprise a manual control member actuable by an operator. In a second alternative embodiment (case of the figures) the means 29 for controlling and driving the means 27 for vertical deflection and offset are automatic and controlled by the position of the carriage 8, in particular the relative position of the carriage 8 with respect to to the table 7 in the vertical direction, or the height of the carriage 8 or of the film reel 9, relative to the table 7 supporting the load 2. In this second variant, the machine preferably comprises means 36 for identification of the relative position of the carriage 8 relative to the table 7 in the vertical direction; and a programmed automaton which, as a function of this relative position, defines, for the means 29 for controlling and driving the means 27 for deflection and vertical offset, the state in which the latter must be. For example, the means 36 comprise a photoelectric cell 36a receiving a light beam 36b emitted by a light source 36c, the cell 36a and the source 36c can be carried by the frame 6, in particular the uprights 13, and the beam 36b can be intercepted by the carriage 8 or the film 5. These locating means 36 make it possible to define a position for triggering the control of the means 27 for vertical deflection and offset which is a certain relative position of the carriage 8 relative to the table 7 in the direction vertical, on either side of which the means 27 for vertical deflection and offset are respectively in one of their two extreme states active and inactive. Where appropriate, several sets of means 36 can be provided located at different heights of the machine and therefore several trigger positions.

Preferably and according to the application provided in the machine according to the invention, the trigger position is or is close to the relative position of the carriage 8 closest to the table 7 in the vertical direction - that is to say the position lower relative extreme of the carriage 8 - the means 27 for vertical deflection and offset being, respectively, in the inactive state and in the active state when the carriage 8 is, relative to the table 7 and the vertical direction, more distant -that is to say above - and less distant - that is to say below - the release position, so that in the same lower relative extreme position of the carriage 8, the film strip 5 coming from the film reel 9 is applied to vertically distinct zones of the lateral faces 1 of the load 2, namely, on the one hand, facing the film reel 9 and, on the other hand, shifted downwards compared to the film reel 9, which has the effect that e the film strip 5 can cover for the purpose of wrapping, the load 2 to its lower face 4 or close to it without interference from the film reel 9 or from the movable members of the machine which are associated with it other parts or parts of the machine (including conveyors).

In the method according to the invention, a load 2 is placed and placed to be wrapped on a support table 7 in a fixed position; maintaining the initial end portion of a film strip 5 from a film reel 9 with axis 9a of generally vertical direction against a vertical face 1 of the load 2; the load 2 remaining fixed, the film reel 9 is moved around the load 2 and, in Consequently, the film reel 9 is unwound and the load 2 is banded with the film strip 5 coming from the reel 9; at least one turn of film strip 5 is thus produced on load 2; the film strip 5 is cut transversely; the terminal end part of the film strip 5 is associated with the banded load 2; the new initial end portion of the film strip 5 is maintained and the banded load 2 is removed. In at least one step of banding the load 2 with the film band 5, the film reel 9 is moved along a path horizontal loop and, in this step, we deflect the film strip 5 unwound from the reel 9 and we shift it in the vertical direction. Preferably, the deflection and offset step is carried out when the film reel 9 has been brought into its relative position closest to the table 7 in the vertical direction. And, in particular, the deflection and offset step is carried out at the end of a helical wrapping process. This means that the machine according to the invention can operate generally according to the cycles known from the state of the art. However, when the carriage 8 is placed at its lowest level on the mast 17, that is to say slightly above the level of the table 7 and of the supply and evacuation conveyors so as not to interfere with them during the pivoting of the carriage 8 around the axis 12 (FIG. 2), the means 27 for deflection and offset pass from their inactive state to their active state (FIG. 3) which allows without further lowering the carriage 8 to cover lower areas of the palletized load 2, for example the pallet 2a itself. The support means 26 in the variant where they consist of a lifting table placed next to the table 7 can be functionally associated with the shift of the film obtained by the means 27.

In a preferred embodiment, the means 27 for vertical deflection and offset include at least two return and guide bars 37, 38 of the film strip 5, parallel to each other, spaced transversely from one another, at less substantially opposite one another, namely an upstream bar 37 and a downstream bar 38 over which the film strip 5 coming from the film reel 9 passes in this order, so as to be able to guide the film strip deflected and offset by forming two folds respectively upstream 34 and downstream 35. These two bars 37, 38 are carried by the carriage 8. They are movable as a whole and lockable between two distinct extreme positions respectively inclined on the vertical and vertical correspond to the two active and inactive extreme states. In FIG. 2, the bars 37 and 38 are vertical and parallel to the axis 9a, which corresponds to the inactive state of the means 27. On the contrary, in FIG. 3, the bars 37 and 38 are inclined on the verticals from their respective upper ends 39 further from the axis 12 than their respective lower ends 40, this situation corresponding to the active state of the means 27 making a shift of the film 5 downwards.

To ensure the mobility of the bars 37, 38 in order to make them pass from the vertical situation to the inclined situation (or vice versa), by the use of deflection and offset means 27, the return and guide bars 37 , 38 are carried by the carriage 8 while being pivotally movable as a whole and lockable around horizontal axes 41, 42, mutually parallel and substantially perpendicular to the axes of the deflection and guide bars 37, 38 and to the passing vertical plane by the axis 9a of the film reel 9 and the axis 12 of the load 2, or even the plane of the downstream outlet section 28. For example, the assembly of the two return and guide bars 37, 38 is mounted articulated at a first of their ends 40 or 39 on the carriage 8 around the pivot axes 41, 42 and is slidably mounted at a second from their ends 39 or 40 on the carriage 8 along a horizontal sliding axis 43 and orthogonal to their pivot axes 41, 42. In the variant illustrated in the drawings, the first end is the lower end 40 and the second end the upper end 39. As is clearly visible in FIGS. 4, 12, 13, the deflection and guide bars 37, 38 constitute, with the carriage 8, a deformable parallelogram which ensures the deflection and the offset of the film 5. The sliding axis 43 is preferably substantially located in the plane passing through the axis 12 and the two longitudinal axes 44, 45 of the two bars 37, 38.

The two return and guide bars 37, 38 are unitarily fixed with respect to their respective longitudinal axes 44, 45 and have an outer surface capable of allowing the film strip to slide, with zero or limited friction. For example, the deflection and guide bars 37, 38 are longitudinally hollow, each comprising an axial channel 46, and are provided with holes 47 opening on their outer surfaces in communication with the axial channel 46 or opening on the part of their surface. outside receiving the film. A source of compressed air is in communication via connecting conduits 48 with the channels 46. A control of the source of compressed air ensures the outlet of compressed air through the through holes 47 during wrapping, particularly during the step of deviation and offset. This result can be reinforced by making bars 37, 38 of polished metal, sliding, with a small diameter to limit contact with the film 5. The means 29 for controlling and drive means 27 for vertical deflection and offset comprise drive means with locking of the return and guide bars 37, 38 between their two extreme positions. For this purpose and for example, these drive means comprise at least one jack 49 carried by the carriage 8, arranged at least substantially horizontally along the sliding axis 43 and orthogonally to the pivot axes 41, 42 of the return bars and guide 37, 38, driving the two return and guide bars 37, 38 between their two distinct extreme positions.

The return and guide bars 37, 38 are mounted at their ends 39, 40 on ball joints 50. These are carried, at the lower ends 40 by the lower plate 15 and at the upper ends by a plate 51 substantially coplanar with the upper plate 16 and placed next to it opposite the zone of the lower plate where the ball joints 50 are located. The plate 51 carries, on its front edge 52, a fork leg 53 offset to come opposite the upper plate 16 or a lug 54 for fixing to the carriage 8 (in particular the upper plate 16). The jack 49 is fixed by its body 55 to the upper plate 16 or the lug 54 and its rod 56 is fixed by its end to the fork lug 53 so as to be able to slide transversely perpendicular to the sliding axis 43. Preferably a upright 57 rigidly connects the lug 54 to the lower plate 15, this upright 57 being located in a vertical plane. The association of the rod 56 of the jack 49 with the fork leg 53 is such that the sliding of the rod causes the concomitant sliding of the plate 51, while allowing a relative vertical movement of the fork leg 53 relative to the cylinder rod 56, which is made necessary by the fact that the plate 51 and the plate lower 15 form with the bars 37, 38 a deformable parallelogram, so are likely to be close to or distant from each other depending on the state of deformation (flattening) of the parallelogram.

As already mentioned, in their active position, the return and guide bars 37, 38 are inclined with their upper ends 39 furthest from the axis 12 of the load support table 7 2 and their lower ends 40 most close to the axis 12. As follows from the above, the film 5 slides on the bars 37, 38, both in the direction of its travel and also transversely for the offset. For this purpose, it is provided that the bars 37, 38 have a length substantially greater than the width or width of the film 5 so as to allow, without hindering it, this transverse sliding.

The return and guide bars 37, 38 are located near the film reel 9 and spaced in a horizontal direction from the vertical lateral faces 1 of the load 2. The whole of the carriage 8 supporting the film reel 9 and the means 27 and 29 is therefore compact. The carriage 8 can also include a series of film guide rollers 5, namely two rollers 58 against each other (on either side of the film) near the film reel 9; two successive rollers spaced apart in the direction of travel of the film strip 5, namely an upstream roller 59 and a downstream roller 60 both close to the film reel 9 and the rollers 58, the roller 60 bringing the film 5 towards the edge 61 of the carriage 8 turned towards the table 7 to escape and not to interfere with the mast 17. Two other rollers 62, 63 are placed opposite the coil 9, near the means 27, 29, substantially symmetrically rollers 59, 60 relative to a vertical plane of symmetry of the mast 17. Other structures of the carriage 8 can however be envisaged.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the machine also comprises a pleating or longitudinal rolling member of an edge 30 or 31 of the film strip 5, carried by the carriage 8 downstream of the means 27 for vertical deflection and offset . And, preferably, this pleating or rolling member is constituted by the lower plate 15 which supports the deflection and guide bars 37, 38 at their lower ends 40 and against which the film strip is biased, due to its deflection by said bars 37, 38, taking into account the suitable and adapted axial length of said bars 37, 38, as is clearly visible in FIG. 4. It is understood that the pleating member 15 thus formed is functionally associated with the means of deflection and offset 27. It suffices that the length of the bars 37, 38 is adapted to the angle of inclination of the bars 37, 38, on the vertical to obtain pleating or rolling of the lower edge 30 of the film strip 5. This pleating or rolling has the effect that the downstream outlet section 28 is then of smaller transverse width than the film 5 in strip located on the reel 9.

The shift of the film 5 downwards, by means 27, 29, combined with the pleating or rolling of the lower horizontal edge 30 of the film makes it possible to obtain better quality packaging than those previously obtained.

In the case of this variant embodiment with pleating or rolling, the method is such that in at least part of the deflection and offset step, the film strip 5 to be applied to the load 2 is longitudinally pleated.

The machine according to the invention, when it implements a stretch film, may include means for the longitudinal stretching of the film 5 carried by the carriage 8. These longitudinal stretching means consist, for example, of a pre-stretcher having at least one pivoting roller on which the film 5 passes in synchronism from an upstream zone to an upstream speed lower than a downstream zone at a higher downstream speed. There is no need to describe here such pre-stretchers, the skilled person can refer to the known state of the art. For example, such a pre-stretcher with two rollers at differential speeds could be constituted by the pair of rollers 59, 60 or 62, 63 arranged accordingly. As a variant, the pre-stretcher is placed downstream of the deflection and offset means 27.

It goes without saying that the invention also relates to the variant in which the shift is carried out in several stages thanks to several assemblies such as those described individually.

Claims (28)

1. Helical wrapping machine for the vertical lateral faces (4) of a palletized load (2) with a strip of plastic film (5) whose width is a fraction of the height of the load (2) which comprises:
- a frame (6);
- a table (7) supporting the load (2) in a fixed position during the wrapping of the load (2) and with which can be associated means for supplying and evacuating the load (2);
- a carriage (8) movable supporting a film reel (9) with axis (9a) of generally vertical direction;
- mechanical means (10) for supporting and guiding the carriage (8), carried by the frame (6), such that the carriage (8) can be moved according to a movement resulting from the combination of a vertical upward movement and / or descending and of a horizontal loop movement surrounding the load (2);
- Means (11) for driving the carriage (8) capable of ensuring its effective displacement, along an at least substantially helical path with a vertical axis (12) surrounding the load (2), with a view to helical wrapping with the strip film (5);
characterized in that it further comprises and in combination:
Means (27) for deflecting in its own plane the film strip (5) coming from the film reel (9) and for vertical offset of the downstream outlet section (28) of the film strip (5), relative to the film reel (9), which means (27) are on the one hand carried by the carriage (8) at least substantially opposite the film reel (9) and, on the other hand, deformable during the wrapping between two extreme configurations corresponding to two distinct extreme states respectively active where they ensure the maximum vertical deviation and offset and inactive where the deviation and offset are zero or minimum;
- Means (29) for controlling and driving the means (27) for deflection and vertical offset to make them pass from their active state to their inactive state or vice versa;
- So that in a certain relative situation of the carriage (8), during wrapping, the implementation of the means (29) of control and drive has the effect of a relative offset in the vertical direction of the downstream outlet section (28 ) of the film strip (5) applied to the load (2) relative to the film reel (9). 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises, carried by support means (26) a set of means (25) comprising:
- Means of transverse cutting of the film strip (5) made active at the end of the wrapping of the load (2);
- means for temporarily holding the initial end portion of the film strip (5) coming from the film reel (9), active before the wrapping begins;
- means for associating the end end portion of the film strip (5) with the load (2) banded, active at the end of the banding;
- And means for controlling and operating the cutting means, holding means and association means. 3. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the means (29) for controlling and driving the means (27) for deflection and vertical offset are manual and comprise a manual control member operable by an operator. 4. Helical wrapping machine for the vertical lateral faces (4) of a palletized load (2) with a strip of plastic film (5) whose width is a fraction of the height of the load (2) which comprises:
- a frame (6);
- a table (7) supporting the load (2) in a fixed position during the wrapping of the load (2) and with which can be associated means for supplying and evacuating the load (2);
- a carriage (8) movable supporting a film reel (9) with axis (9a) of generally vertical direction;
- mechanical means (10) for supporting and guiding the carriage (8), carried by the frame (6), such that the carriage (8) can be moved according to a movement resulting from the combination of a vertical upward movement and / or descending and of a horizontal loop movement surrounding the load (2);
- Means (11) for driving the carriage (8) capable of ensuring its affective movement, along an at least substantially helical path with a vertical axis (12) surrounding the load (2), with a view to helical wrapping with the strip film (5);
characterized in that it further comprises and in combination:
Means (27) for deflecting in its own plane the film strip (5) coming from the film reel (9) and for vertical offset of the downstream outlet section (28) of the film strip (5), relative to the film reel (9), which means (27) are on the one hand carried by the carriage (8) at least substantially opposite the film reel (9) and, on the other hand, deformable during the banding between two extreme configurations corresponding to two distinct extreme states respectively active where they ensure maximum and inactive vertical deviation and offset where the deviation and offset are zero or minimum;
- Means (29) for controlling and driving the means (27) for deflection and vertical offset to make them pass from their active state to their inactive state or inversely automatic and subject to the position of the carriage (8), in particular the relative position of the carriage (8), relative to the table (7) in the vertical direction;
- So that in a certain relative situation of the carriage (8), during wrapping, the implementation of the means (29) of control and drive has the effect of a relative offset in the vertical direction of the downstream outlet section (28 ) of the film strip (5) applied to the load (2) relative to the film reel (9). 5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises means (36) for locating the relative position of the carriage (8) relative to the table (7) in the vertical direction; and a programmed automaton which, as a function of this relative position, defines, for the means (29) for controlling and driving the means (27) for deflection and vertical shift, the state in which the latter must be. 6. Machine according to claim 4 characterized in that there is provided at least one position for triggering the control of the means (27) for deflection and vertical offset which is a certain relative position of the carriage (8) relative to the table (7) in vertical direction, on either side of which the means (27) for vertical deflection and offset are respectively in one of their two extreme states active and inactive. 7. Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the trigger position is or is close to the relative position of the carriage (8) closest to the table (7) in the vertical direction - that is to say the position lower relative extreme of the carriage (8) the means (27) for deflection and vertical offset being, respectively, in the inactive state and in the active state when the carriage (8) is, relative to the table (7) and the vertical direction, more distant - that is to say above - and less distant - that is to say below - from the release position, so that in the same lower relative extreme position of the carriage (8), the film strip (5) coming from the film reel (9) is applied to vertically distinct areas of the lateral faces (1) of the load (2), namely, on the one hand, facing of the film reel (9) and, on the other hand, offset downwards with respect to the film reel (9), which has the effect that the film strip (5) can cover for wrapping, the load (2) to its lower face (4) without interference from the film reel (9) or from the moving parts of the machine associated with it with the other parts es or parts of the machine. 8. Helical wrapping machine for the vertical lateral faces (4) of a palletized load (2) with a strip of plastic film (5) whose width is a fraction of the height of the load (2) which comprises:
- a frame (6);
- a table (7) supporting the load (2) in a fixed position during the wrapping of the load (2) and with which can be associated means for supplying and evacuating the load (2);
- a carriage (8) movable supporting a film reel (9) with axis (9a) of generally vertical direction;
- Mechanical means (10) for supporting and guiding the carriage (8), carried by the frame (6), such that the carriage (8) can be moved according to a movement resulting from the combination of a vertical movement ascending and / or descending and of a horizontal loop movement surrounding the load (2);
- Means (11) for driving the carriage (8) capable of ensuring its effective displacement, along an at least substantially helical path with a vertical axis (12) surrounding the load (2), with a view to helical wrapping with the strip film (5);
characterized in that it further comprises and in combination:
Means (27) for deflecting in its own plane the film strip (5) coming from the film reel (9) and for vertical offset of the downstream outlet section (28) of the film strip (5), relative to the film reel (9), which means (27) are on the one hand carried by the carriage (8) at least substantially opposite the film reel (9) and, on the other hand, deformable during the wrapping between two extreme configurations corresponding to two distinct extreme states respectively active where they ensure the deviation and the maximum vertical offset and inactive where the deviation and the offset are zero or minimum the means (27) of deflection and vertical offset comprising at least two return and guide bars (37, 38) of the film strip (5), mutually parallel, spaced transversely from one another, at least substantially facing one another, namely a bar upstream (37) and a downstream bar (38) over which the film strip (5) passes coming from the film reel (9) in this order, so as to be able to guide the deflected and offset film strip by forming two folds respectively upstream (34) and downstream (35); these two bars (37, 38) being carried by the carriage (8) and being movable as a whole and lockable between two distinct extreme positions respectively inclined on the vertical and vertical correspond to the two active and inactive extreme states;
- Means (29) for controlling and driving the means (27) for deflection and vertical offset to make them pass from their active state to their inactive state or vice versa;
- So that in a certain relative situation of the carriage (8), during wrapping, the implementation of the means (29) of control and drive has the effect of a relative offset in the vertical direction of the downstream outlet section (28 ) of the film strip (5) applied to the load (2) relative to the film reel (9). 9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the return and guide bars (37, 38) are carried by the carriage (8) while being pivotally movable as a whole and lockable around axes (41, 42 ) horizontal, mutually parallel and substantially perpendicular to the axes of the deflection and guide bars (37, 38) and to the vertical plane passing through the axis (9a) of the film reel (9) and the axis (12) of the load (2). 10. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the assembly of the two return and guide bars (37, 38) is mounted articulated at a first of their ends (40 or 39) on the carriage (8) around the pivot axes (41, 42). 11. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the assembly of the two return and guide bars (37, 38) is slidably mounted at one second from their ends (39 or 40) on the carriage (8) along a sliding axis (43) horizontal and orthogonal to their pivot axes (41, 42). 12. Machine according to claim 8 characterized in that the two return and guide bars (37, 38) are unitarily fixed by support to their respective longitudinal axes (44, 45), and have an outer surface able to allow the film strip to slide with zero or limited friction. 13. Machine according to claim 8 characterized in that the two deflection and guide bars (37, 38) are longitudinally hollow, each comprising an axial channel (46), and are provided with holes (47) opening onto their outer surfaces in communication with the axial channel (46); a source of compressed air being in communication by connecting conduits (48) with the channels (46); a control of the compressed air source ensuring the outlet of compressed air through the through holes (47) during the wrapping, in particular during the deflection and offset step. 14. Machine according to claim 8 characterized in that the means (29) for controlling and driving the means (27) for deflection and vertical offset comprise drive means with locking of the deflection and guide bars (37 , 38) between their two extreme positions. 15. Machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the drive means comprise at least one jack (49) carried by the carriage (8), disposed at least substantially horizontally along the sliding axis (43) and orthogonally to pivot axes (41, 42) of the deflection and guide bars (37, 38), driving the two deflection and guide bars (37, 38) between their distinct extreme positions. 16. Machine according to claim 8 characterized in that in their active position, the return and guide bars (37, 38) are inclined with their upper ends (39) furthest from the axis (12) of the table load support (7) (2) and their lower ends (40) closest to the axis (12). 17. Machine according to claim 8 characterized in that the return and guide bars (37, 38) are located near the film reel (9) and spaced horizontally from the vertical side faces (1) of the load (2). 18. Helical wrapping machine for the vertical lateral faces (4) of a palletized load (2) with a strip of plastic film (5) whose width is a fraction of the height of the load (2) which comprises:
- a frame (6);
- a table (7) supporting the load (2) in a fixed position during the wrapping of the load (2) and with which can be associated means for supplying and evacuating the load (2);
- a carriage (8) movable supporting a film reel (9) with axis (9a) of generally vertical direction;
- mechanical means (10) for supporting and guiding the carriage (8), carried by the frame (6), such that the carriage (8) can be moved according to a movement resulting from the combination of a vertical upward movement and / or descending and of a horizontal loop movement surrounding the load (2);
- Means (11) for driving the carriage (8) capable of ensuring its effective displacement, along an at least substantially helical path with a vertical axis (12) surrounding the load (2), with a view to helical wrapping with the strip film (5);
characterized in that it further comprises and in combination:
Means (27) for deflecting in its own plane the film strip (5) coming from the film reel (9) and for vertical offset of the downstream outlet section (28) of the film strip (5), relative to the film reel (9), which means (27) are on the one hand carried by the carriage (8) at least substantially opposite the film reel (9) and, on the other hand, deformable during the wrapping between two extreme configurations corresponding to two distinct extreme states respectively active where they provide the maximum vertical deviation and offset and inactive where the deviation and offset are zero or minimum;
- Means (29) for controlling and driving the means (27) for deflection and vertical offset to make them pass from their active state to their inactive state or vice versa;
- A pleating or longitudinal rolling member of an edge (30 or 31) of the film strip (5), carried by the carriage (8) downstream of the means (27) for deflection and vertical offset. 19. Machine according to claim 18, characterized in that the pleating or longitudinal rolling member of the lower edge (30) of the film strip (5) consists of the lower plate (15) which supports the return bars and guide (37, 38) at their lower ends (40) and against which the film strip is biased, due to its deflection by said bars (37, 38), taking into account the axial length of said bars (37, 38). 20. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that it is intended to implement a film (5) stretchable and comprises means of longitudinal stretching of the film (5) carried by the carriage (8). 21. Machine according to claim 20, characterized in that the longitudinal stretching means consist of a pre-stretcher having at least one pivoting roller on which the film (5) passes in synchronism from an upstream zone to an upstream speed lower than a downstream area at a higher downstream speed. 22. Helical wrapping machine for the vertical lateral faces (1) of a palletized load (2) with a strip of plastic film (5) whose width is a fraction of the height of the load (2) which comprises:
- a frame (6);
- a table (7) supporting the load (2) in a fixed position during the wrapping of the load (2) and with which can be associated means for supplying and evacuating the load (2);
- a carriage (8) movable supporting a film reel (9) with axis (9a) of generally vertical direction;
- mechanical means (10) for supporting and guiding the carriage (8), carried by the frame (6), such that the carriage (8) can be moved according to a movement resulting from the combination of a vertical upward movement and / or descending and of a horizontal loop movement surrounding the load (2);
- Means (11) for driving the carriage (8) capable of ensuring its effective displacement, along an at least substantially helical path with a vertical axis (12) surrounding the load (2), with a view to helical wrapping with the strip film (5);
and, in addition, carried by support means (26), a set of means (25) comprising:
- Means of transverse cutting of the film strip (5) made active at the end of the wrapping of the load (2);
- means for temporarily holding the initial end portion of the film strip (5) coming from the film reel (9), active before the wrapping begins;
- means for associating the end end portion of the film strip (5) with the load (2) banded, active at the end of the banding;
- And means for controlling and operating the cutting means, holding means and association means;
which support means (26) are arranged to allow the means (25) to slide in the vertical direction, characterized in that the support means (26) are essentially placed below the means (25), between the latter and the level of the support table, which has the effect of clearing the space above the means (25). 23. Machine according to claim 22 characterized in that the support means (26) are constituted by a lifting table. 24. Helical wrapping machine for the vertical lateral faces (1) of a palletized load (2) with a strip of plastic film (5) whose width is a fraction of the height of the load (2) which comprises:
- a frame (6);
- a table (7) supporting the load (2) in a fixed position during the wrapping of the load (2) and with which can be associated means for supplying and evacuating the load (2);
- a carriage (8) movable supporting a film reel (9) with axis (9a) of generally vertical direction;
- mechanical means (10) for supporting and guiding the carriage (8), carried by the frame (6), such that the carriage (8) can be moved according to a movement resulting from the combination of a vertical upward movement and / or descending and of a horizontal loop movement surrounding the load (2);
- Means (11) for driving the carriage (8) capable of ensuring its effective displacement, along an at least substantially helical axis path (12) vertical surrounding the load (2), for helical wrapping with the film strip (5);
and, in addition, carried by support means (26), a set of means (25) comprising:
- Means of transverse cutting of the film strip (5) made active at the end of the wrapping of the load (2);
- means for temporarily holding the initial end portion of the film strip (5) coming from the film reel (9), active before the wrapping begins;
- means for associating the end end portion of the film strip (5) with the load (2) banded, active at the end of the banding;
- And means for controlling and operating the cutting means, holding means and association means;
which support means (26) are arranged to allow sliding in the vertical direction of the means (25), characterized in that it comprises, in addition and in combination:
- firstly, means (27) for deflecting in its own plane the film strip (5) coming from the film reel (9) and for vertical offset of the downstream outlet section (28) of the film strip (5), relative to the film reel (9), which means (27) are on the one hand carried by the carriage (8) at least substantially opposite the film reel (9) and, on the other hand part, deformable during the wrapping between two extreme configurations corresponding to two distinct extreme states respectively active where they ensure the deviation and the maximum vertical offset and inactive where the deviation and the offset are zero or minimum;
- And, secondly, means (29) for controlling and driving the means (27) for deflecting and vertical shift to change them from their active state to their inactive state or vice versa;
- So that in a certain relative situation of the carriage (8), during wrapping, the implementation of the means (29) of control and drive has the effect of a relative offset in the vertical direction of the downstream outlet section (28 ) of the film strip (5) applied to the load (2) relative to the film reel (9);
- And in that the support means (26) are essentially placed below the means (25), between the latter and the level of the support table (7), which has the effect of clearing the space above the means (25). 25. Method of helical wrapping of the vertical lateral faces (1) of a palletized load (2) with a strip of plastic film (5) whose width is a fraction of the height of the load (2) in which:
- We bring and place a load (2) to bandage on a table (7) support in a fixed position;
- Maintaining the initial end portion of a film strip (5) from a film reel (9) with axis (9a) of general vertical direction against a vertical face (1) of the load (2);
- the load (2) remaining fixed, the film reel (9) is moved around the load (2) and, consequently, the film reel (9) is unwound and the load (2) is banded with the strip film (5) from the reel (9);
- At least one turn of film strip (5) is thus produced on the load (2);
- the film strip (5) is cut transversely;
- the end end part of the film strip (5) is associated with the banded load (2);
- Maintaining the new initial end portion of the film strip (5) and removing the banded load (2);
characterized in that in at least one step of wrapping the load (2) with the film strip (5), the film reel (9) is moved along a horizontal loop path and, in this step, the film strip (5) unwound from the reel (9) and shifted in the vertical direction. 26. The method of claim 25, characterized in that in at least part of the deflection and offset step, the film strip (5) to be longitudinally pleated to be applied to the load (2). 27. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that the deflection and offset step is carried out when the film reel (9) has been brought into its relative position closest to the table (7) in vertical direction. 28. The method of claim 25 characterized in that one carries out the step of deflection and offset at the end of a helical wrapping process.

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