EP2872426A1

EP2872426A1 - Packaged reel of film and arrangements comprising reels of film for bale applications

Info

Publication number: EP2872426A1
Application number: EP13744459.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johan RUBBRECHT; Michael J. HUYGHE
Original assignee: Combipac BV
Current assignee: Combipac BV
Priority date: 2012-07-11
Filing date: 2013-07-11
Publication date: 2015-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-11
Also published as: EP2872426B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaged reel of film (1) for bale applications comprising: . - a reel of film (11) comprising an elongated tubular core (2) and a roll of film (3) wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface (31) on one end of the roll of film (3), a second annular surface (32) on the other end of the roll of film (3), and a cylindrical outer surface (33) therebetween, the roll of film (3) being positioned so that a portion of the core (2) extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film (3), thereby defining a first extended portion (41) on one end of the core and a second extended portion (42) on the other end of the core (2), and . - a first annular plate (51) provided at the first annular surface (31) of the roll of film (11) and/or a second annular plate (52) provided at the second annular surface (32) of the roll of film (3), wherein the opening of the first annular plate (51) receives the first extended portion (41) of the core (2) and/or the opening (58) of the second annular plate (52) receives the second extended portion (42) of the core.

Description

PACKAGED REEL OF FILM AND ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING REELS OF FILM

FOR BALE APPLICATIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a packaged reel of film for bale applications. The present invention relates to a packaged reel of film for use in the baling chamber of a bale press to keep a bale compressed and/or for wrapping a bale to protect the bale. The present invention further relates to arrangements comprising two or more vertically or horizontally positioned reels of film for bale applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For silage making, a bale press is first used to press compact round or square bales which are subsequently wrapped tightly with a number of layers of net, twine or film in the baling chamber. Once the net, twine or film is lying around the bale, the formed bale is ejected from the baling chamber. The net, twine or film ensures that the product remains compressed and that the bale retains its shape. Subsequently, this bale is wrapped with an agricultural stretch wrap film by means of a bale wrapper. By wrapping the bale with a number of layers of agricultural stretch wrap film, an airtight and waterproof bale is obtained and a so-called oxygen-free environment is created inside the bale, which is necessary in order to ensure successful fermentation and storage. The agricultural stretch wrap films used for wrapping bales can be used for different kind of bales like grass, maize, sugar beet pulp, malt, straw, household refuse and other kind of materials which are packed in a bale. These agricultural stretch wrap films can be a standard agricultural stretch film or a pre-stretched stretch film or a barrier stretch film or any other film that can be used for wrapping bales. These agricultural stretch wrap films clearly differ from the industrial stretch wrap films, as the agricultural stretch wrap films are usually coloured and have to be ultraviolet stabilized, but also have to have a different elasticity and a different and greater adhesive power.

Nowadays, agricultural stretch wrap films for bale wrapping applications are packaged in a cardboard box. The box might protect the reel of film during storage, for example, at the manufacturer, distributor, contractor, or farmer and/or during transport, for example, in a lorry, a container, a car, on a bale wrapper, tractor, etc. In particular, the box might protect the film from mechanical damage during storage and/or transport, for example during transport on a bale wrapper before it is used. The cardboard box might also protect the stretch wrap film against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, heating up and dust. A bale wrapper or a tractor can take a quite high number of reels for example on supports or in another way so that the contractor or farmer can wrap bales during the whole day by going from one field to another without turning back to his warehouse for reloading reels. Storing and/or transporting reels of stretch wrap film without a package is not a straightforward alternative because, as already mentioned, the package is necessary for protection of the reel of stretch wrap film. Indeed, damages to a roll of stretch wrap film increase the risk of tearing of the film during wrapping with the consequence of loss of film, loss of time and imperfectly wrapped bales or even worse, damages made to the end surfaces of the roll of stretch wrap film make the complete roll of stretch wrap film useless. Furthermore, an unprotected roll of film might heat up, thereby increasing the tackiness of the film and making it much more difficult for the film to unwind from the roll. Moreover, the cardboard box permits vertical stacking of the reels of film for example on a pallet by providing enough stability to the reels of film.

Storing and/or transporting reels of film for bale applications with only a plastic bag around the reel is also not a straightforward alternative because the bag is completely insufficient for protection of the reel of stretch wrap film. Because the end surfaces of the roll of film are not well protected, damages on these end surfaces make the complete roll of stretch wrap film useless. In addition, a bag will not allow to stack the reels vertically in a stable way.

However, despite the assumed advantages, such a box has the major disadvantages of creating a lot of waste during bale wrapping. Once the reel is taken out of the cardboard box, the box is torn and difficult to take from one field to another on the bale wrapper during wrapping bales. Sometimes contractors leave the torn cardboard boxes lying around on the field of the farmer with the consequence of remarks or even claims of the farmer. Therefore, some contractors or farmers are taking the reels already out of the box when they place them on the supports of the bale wrapper, which increases the risk for damaging the reels before they are even used, for example during lifting, during transporting from one field to another and during wrapping on a field. After bale wrapping, the contractor or farmer needs to collect and store the torn boxes which gives a big mess in his storing place and a loss of storing capacity. Afterwards the contractor or farmer also needs to dispose of this waste. The processing of the resulting waste takes time and costs money for the contractor or farmer.

Another disadvantage is that once the boxes with reels are stacked and wrapped with a stretch film, they are easily crushed by the stretch force and the tension of the wrapped stretch film, because a box has a square surface while a reel has a circular surface. However, the use of less stretch force and/or less tension will give less stable pallet loading. Therefore, thicker cardboard boxes or additional cardboard plates have to be used to stabilize the loaded pallet.

In view thereof, there exists a need for further and/or improved packages and/or arrangements for reels of stretch wrap film which comply at least partly with the aforementioned requirements and solve at least to a certain extend the aforementioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have realised that an annular plate can be used in order to protect a reel of film and that this annular plate also provides sufficient stability for easy vertical stacking, storing and transporting reels of film.

Hence, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a packaged reel of film for bale applications comprising:

a reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film and a cylindrical outer surface therebetween, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core, and

a first annular plate provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or a second annular plate provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film, wherein the opening of the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the opening of the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core.

Surprisingly, the inventors found that the packaged reel of film of the present invention has reduced dimensions compared to a reel of film in a box, because of the thickness of the cardboard of the box, which advantageously allows optimizing the number of reels of film which can be vertically or horizontally stacked next to each other for example on a pallet. Importantly, such optimization allows to increase the efficiency of storage and/or transport of packaged reels of film, while at the same time reducing the cost.

Furthermore, the inventors found that the packaged reel of film of the present invention has reduced gross weight compared to a reel of film in a box, because of the weight of the box, which advantageously allows increasing the number of reels of film which can be transported in a lorry without exceeding the maximum allowed gross weight on the lorry.

Furthermore, the packaged reel of film of the present invention advantageously protects the critical annular surfaces on the ends of the roll of film against one or more of mechanical damage, UV radiation, heating up, and dust, thereby avoiding loss of damaged film, loss of time, imperfectly wrapped bales or even loss of a complete reel of film and avoiding tearing during wrapping because the layers of film wound on the roll are not heated up on the end surfaces of the roll of film.

In addition, the present inventors found that the annular plate of the packaged reel of film may provide an increased stability. For example, the annular plate of the present packaged reel of film provides stability for the reel of film when the reel of film is vertically positioned on the annular plate. Such increased stability advantageously allows vertical stacking, storing and/or transporting of the present packaged reel of film in an efficient and hence, economical manner.

Furthermore, the present inventors found that the annular plates can easily be piled on the supports of the bale wrapper when using the reels of film, advantageously not leaving any packaging material on the field.

Furthermore the packaging material of the packaged reel of film of the present invention which needs to be disposed after bale wrapping is much less compared with the packaging material of a reel of film packed in a box.

Provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film as defined herein, wherein the packaged reel of film comprises the first annular plate provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and the second annular plate provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film, wherein the opening of the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and the opening of the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core.

Such packaged reel of film comprising an annular plate at both annular surfaces of the roll of film advantageously allows protecting both annular surfaces on the ends of the roll of film, thereby avoiding the risk of losing the complete reel of film when an end surface of the roll of film is damaged. Furthermore, a packaged reel of film comprising an annular plate at both end surfaces of the roll of film advantageously provides increased stability for vertically stacking of reels of film, such as for vertically stacking several layers of reels of film.

Provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film as defined herein, wherein the opening of the first annular plate fittingly receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the opening of the second annular plate fittingly receives the second extended portion of the core.

Such packaged reels of film comprising an annular plate wherein the opening fittingly receives the extended portion of the core have the advantage that the annular plate stays on the end surface of the roll of film without the need for additional resources like a sleeve, tape, glue, or any other material or method that keeps the annular plate against the end surface of the roll of film, while at the same time assisting the protection of the end surface of the roll of film.

Provided in preferred embodiments are the packaged reels of film as defined herein, wherein the opening of the first annular plate fittingly receives the first extended portion of the core and the opening of the second annular plate fittingly receives the second extended portion of the core.

In certain embodiments, the first annular plate may further comprise one or more flaps, such as preferably two or more, more preferably three or more, or most preferably four or more flaps, extending radially outwardly from the first annular plate, and the flaps are folded along the circumference of the first annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and/or the second annular plate may further comprise one or more flaps, such as preferably two or more, more preferably three or more, or most preferably four or more flaps, extending radially outwardly of the second annular plate, and the flaps are folded along the circumference of the second annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film. Such a packaged reel of film allows to protect the annular surface of a roll of film and the cylindrical outer surface on the end of the roll of film against mechanical damage for instance during transport of a single reel of film.

Hence, in particular embodiments, the first annular plate may further comprise at least four flaps extending radially outwardly from the first annular plate, and the at least four flaps are folded along the circumference of the first annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and/or the second annular plate may further comprise at least four flaps extending radially outwardly of the second annular plate, and the at least four flaps are folded along the circumference of the second annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film. Such a packaged reel of film allows to protect the annular surface of a roll of film and the cylindrical outer surface on the end of the roll of film against mechanical damage for instance during transport of a single reel of film.

In certain embodiments, the packaged reel of film may comprise a first sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and/or a second sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the second annular plate. Such a packaged reel of film advantageously provides additional protection on the edges of the reel of film against mechanical damage for instance during transport of a single reel of film.

In certain embodiments, the packaged reels of film may further comprise a sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

The sleeve may advantageously protect the roll of film such as the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, during stacking, storing, transporting and lifting. The sleeve allows stacking the packaged reels of film against each other without damaging the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film. The sleeve may be printed and/or labelled providing the possibility to pass information such as the brand name, instructions, production number, reel number, etc to the end user.

Advantageously, the sleeve may be flexible and may easily be collected during wrapping on the field.

In certain embodiments, the packaged reel of film may further comprise a sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core, wherein the sleeve keeps the first annular plate against the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or keeps the second annular plate against the second annular surface of the roll of film.

The sleeve may keep the annular plate against the end surface of the roll of film, thereby assisting in the protection of the end surface of the roll of film without additional resources like tape, glue or any other material or method that keeps the annular plate against the end surface of the roll of film. Advantageously, the annular plates avoid damages at the end surfaces of the reel of film during applying the sleeve on to the roll of film, for example, during shrinking of the sleeve against the annular plates at the end surfaces of the roll of film.

Also provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film as defined herein, wherein the packaged reels of film may further comprise a sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and at least part of the second annular plate and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

Also provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film as defined herein, wherein the packaged reels of film may comprise a sleeve enclosing the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film.

Also provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film as defined herein, wherein the packaged reels of film may comprise a sleeve enclosing the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and at least part of the second annular plate.

Also provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film as defined herein, wherein the packaged reels of film may comprise a sleeve enclosing the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and enclosing the first annular plate and the second annular plate and further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and at least part of the second extended portion of the core. Also provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film as defined herein, wherein the packaged reels of film may further comprise a sleeve enclosing the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and enclosing the first annular plate and the second annular plate and further enclosing the first extended portion of the core and the second extended portion of the core.

Also provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film as defined herein, wherein the packaged reels of film may further comprise a first sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and at least part of the second annular plate and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and at least part of the second extended portion of the core and a second sleeve enclosing at least part of the first sleeve.

In certain embodiments of the present packaged reels of film, the annular plate may be substantially made of a recyclable material. In certain embodiments of the present packaged reels of film, the annular plate may be substantially made of a reusable material. The annular plate may be substantially made of cardboard. Preferably, the annular plate may be substantially made of corrugated cardboard. Using recyclable materials such as corrugated cardboard advantageously allows complying with certain ecological requirements. Using recyclable materials such as corrugated cardboard may also reduce the costs of the contractor or farmer to cope with the generated waste.

In certain embodiments of the packaged reels of film, the annular plate may indicate the winding direction of the film. In certain further embodiments of the packaged reel of film, at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core, such as at least part of the end surface of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the end surface of the second extended portion of the core, may be modified, preferably coloured. Indicating the winding direction and/or colouring the end surfaces or extended portions of the core may have the advantage that the contractor or farmer knows immediately and easily how to place the reel of film, namely in the correct unwinding direction, on the bale wrapper without loss of time and without additional manual lifting movements of the heavy reel of film. Because a first annular plate is provided at the first extended portion of the core and/or a second annular plate is provided at the second extended portion of the core, it is easy to colour at least part of the first and/or second extended portion, such as at least part of the end surface of the first and/or second extended portion of the core, without damaging or contaminating the roll of film. The annular plate may prevent ink and/or paint to damage the roll of film during colouring.

In certain further embodiments of the packaged reel of film, the end surface of the first extended portion of the core and the end surface of the second extended portion of the core may be modified. In certain further embodiments of the packaged reel of film, the end surface and at least part of the cylindrical outer and/or inner surface of the first extended portion of the core and the end surface and at least part of the cylindrical outer and/or inner surface of the second extended portion of the core may be modified.

A further aspect relates to an arrangement comprising two or more packaged reels of film as defined herein.

The arrangement of the present invention advantageously protects the rolls of film during stacking, storing and transporting the reels in both horizontal and vertical position, in particular, the end surfaces of the rolls of film, against mechanical damage, UV radiation, heating up and dust, thereby avoiding that a complete reel of film needs to be discarded. Furthermore the arrangement of the present invention allows stacking the two or more packaged reels of film closer to each other in comparison with a reel of film in a box, resulting in a more optimised stacking.

Since the packaged reel of film of the present invention may advantageously provide an increased stability for vertically stacking reels of film, a further aspect of the present invention relates to an arrangement as defined herein comprising two or more vertically positioned packaged reels of film.

Such an arrangement advantageously allows to store and/or transport vertically positioned reels of film in an efficient and hence, economical manner.

It will be understood by the skilled person that by vertically positioning a reel of film, a top and a bottom of the reel of film will be defined. The first extended portion of the core may be located at the top or at the bottom of the vertically positioned reel of film. Furthermore, the second extended portion of the core may also be located at the top or at the bottom of the vertically positioned reel of film.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the arrangement further comprises a first plate provided at the first annular plates and/or at the first extended portions of the cores such as at the end surfaces of the first extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film and/or a second plate provided at the second annular plates and/or at the second extended portions of the cores such as at the end surfaces of the second extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

The present inventors have found that such an arrangement further comprising plates may provide additional stabilization to vertically stack reels of film because the extended portions can push through the weight of the reels into the plates, and thereby further filling up the notional annular space surrounding the extended portions of the core and linking the extended portions with the plates. Furthermore, the combination of annular plates and plates advantageously allows to protect the rolls of film and allows to increase the stability of different layers of vertically stacked reels of film since the extended portions of the cores of the reels of film of the different layers are linked with the plates. Furthermore, such a plate may avoid that the vertically positioned reels of film will fall down when a base member such as a pallet stacked with reels of film is opened.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the arrangement further comprises a first plate provided at the first annular plates and/or at the first extended portions of the cores such as at the end surfaces of the first extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film and a second plate provided at the second annular plates and/or at the second extended portions of the cores such as at the end surfaces of the second extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the first plate comprises two or more openings and/or the second plate comprises two or more openings, and wherein the two or more openings of the first plate receive the first extended portions of cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film and/or the two or more openings of the second plate receive the second extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

Such an arrangement further comprising a plate with two or more openings may assure that the notional annular space surrounding the extended portions of the core is completely filled up also when the film is wound (slightly) frustoconical on the core and may hence further increase the stability of the arrangement.

In an arrangement comprising a combination of annular plates and plates comprising two or more openings, the annular plates advantageously protect the rolls of film, in particular, the end surfaces of the rolls of film, against UV radiation, heating up, dust and/or mechanical damage, for instance, during colouring of an extended portion of the core and advantageously increases the stability of the reels of film. Furthermore, the present inventors have found that such an arrangement may provide additional stabilization to vertically stack reels of film because the extended portions can fall into the openings of the plates.

Using a combination of annular plates and plates comprising two or more openings advantageously allows to protect the rolls of film while at the same time increasing stability of the vertically positioned reels of film which will not fall down when a pallet stacked with reels of films is opened. Furthermore, the combination of annular plates and plates comprising two or more openings advantageously allows to protect the rolls of film and allows to increase the stability of different layers of vertically stacked reels of film since the layers are linked to each other by the plates with two or more openings. It will be understood by the skilled person that by vertically positioning the reels of film, a top and a bottom of the reels of film will be defined. In certain embodiments, the first extended portions of the core of the at least two vertically positioned reels of film are all located at the top or are all located at the bottom of the vertically positioned reels of film. Accordingly, in certain further embodiments, the second extended portions of the core of the at least two vertically positioned reels of film are all located at the bottom or are all located at the top of the vertically positioned reels of film.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the first plate comprises two or more openings and the second plate comprises two or more openings, and wherein the two or more openings of the first plate receive the first extended portions of cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film and the two or more openings of the second plate receive the second extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the two or more openings of the first plate fittingly receive the first extended portions of cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film and/or the two or more openings of the second plate fittingly receive the second extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an arrangement comprising:

two or more reels of film, said reels of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface therebetween, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of said core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core,

a first plate comprising two or more openings provided at the first annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film and/or a second plate comprising two or more openings provided at the second annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film, wherein the two or more openings of the first plate receive the first extended portions of the two or more reels of film and/or the two or more openings of the second plate receive the second extended portions of the two or more reels of film.

An arrangement comprising a plate comprising two or more openings advantageously protects the rolls of film, in particular, the end surfaces of the rolls of film, against mechanical damage, UV radiation, heating up and dust. Furthermore, the present inventors have found that such a plate may provide additional stabilization to different layers of vertically stacked reels of film in an arrangement since the plates with two or more openings may link or connect the different layers to each other. Furthermore, such a plate comprising two or more openings advantageously allows to protect the rolls of film while at the same time increasing stability of the vertically positioned reels of film which will not fall down when a base member such as a pallet stacked with reels of films is opened.

An arrangement comprising a plate comprising two or more openings advantageously reduces the dimensions of the reel of film compared to a reel of film in a box, because of the thickness of the cardboard of the box, which advantageously allows optimizing the number of reels of film which can be vertically or horizontally stacked next to each other for example on a pallet. Importantly, such optimization allows to increase the efficiency of storage and/or transport of packaged reels of film, while at the same time reducing the cost.

An arrangement comprising a plate comprising two or more openings advantageously also reduces the gross weight of the reel of film compared to a reel of film in a box, because of the weight of the box, which advantageously allows increasing the number of reels of film which can be transported in a lorry without exceeding the maximum allowed gross weight on the lorry.

In certain embodiments, the arrangement may comprise the first plate comprising two or more openings provided at the first annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film and the second plate comprising two or more openings provided at the second annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film, and wherein the two or more openings of the first plate receive the first extended portions of the two or more reels of film and the two or more openings of the second plate receive the second extended portions of the two or more reels of film.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the two or more openings of the first plate fittingly receive the first extended portions of the two or more reels of film and/or the two or more openings of the second plate fittingly receive the second extended portions of the two or more reels of film.

In certain embodiments of the arrangements, each packaged reel of film of the two or more reels of film may further comprise a sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or at least part of the second annular surface of the roll of film and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

In certain embodiments of the arrangements, each packaged reel of film of the two or more reels of film may further comprise a sleeve enclosing the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or at least part of the second annular surface of the roll of film and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

The sleeve may advantageously protect the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally may protect at least part of the first annular surface of the roll of film, at least part of the second annular surface of the roll of film, at least part of the first extended portion of the core, and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

The sleeve may advantageously protect the roll of film during stacking, storing, transporting and lifting. The sleeve allows stacking the packaged reels of film against each other without damaging the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film. The sleeve may be printed and/or labelled providing the possibility to pass information such as the brand name, instructions, production number, reel number, etc to the end user

Also provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the arrangements comprise two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

Such an arrangement advantageously allows to store and/or transport vertically positioned reels of film in an efficient and economical manner.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the arrangement further comprises a third plate provided at the first plate with one or two openings and/or at the first extended portions of the cores such as at the end surfaces of the first extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film and/or a fourth plate provided at the second plate with one or two openings and/or at the second extended portions of the cores such as at the end surfaces of the second extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

The present inventors have found that an arrangement comprising additional plates may provide additional stabilization to vertically stack reels of film because the extended portions can push through the weight of the reels of film into the plates.

Also described in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the arrangement comprises two or more layers of two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

Advantageously, such arrangements may allow to stably stack an increased number of reels of film using the same space in the warehouse or truck, thereby increasing the storage and/or transport capacity, while reducing costs.

Also described in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the arrangement comprises two or more layers of two or more horizontally positioned reels of film. Advantageously, such arrangements may allow to stack an increased number of reels of film using the same space in the warehouse or truck, thereby increasing the storage and/or transport capacity, while reducing costs.

The arrangements may further comprise support members suitable for horizontal stacking such as honeycomb cardboard support members, plastic support members, or wooden support members.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the arrangement may further comprise a base member and whereby the two or more reels of film are arranged on the base member. The base member preferably is a pallet. Hence, in preferred embodiments, the arrangements further comprise a pallet and whereby the two or more horizontally or vertically positioned reels of film are arranged on the pallet. Using a base member such as a pallet may facilitate storage and/or transport of the reels of film.

In certain embodiments, the arrangement may further comprise a film wrapped around the two or more reels of film and at least part of the base member. An arrangement comprising a wrapped film may advantageously increase the protection of the reels of film. Such an arrangement comprising a wrapped film may also increase the stability of the reels of film, for example when the reels of film are stacked on the base member.

The film for bale applications may have an adhesive layer present at the outside of the roll of film. The film used for wrapping around two or more reels of film may have an adhesive layer and a non adhesive layer. Generally, the adhesive layer of the wrapping film is wrapped against the reels and the non adhesive layer comes at the outside of the pallet, so that when two base members and preferable two pallets are put against each other, they don't stick to each other. The adhesive layer of the wrapping film allows to obtain a dust and water tight wrapping and to avoid loose strings at the end of the wrapping. However, when the reels of film are stacked on a base member without a sleeve, and the arrangement is wrapped with the adhesive layer of the wrapping film against the adhesive layer of the rolls of film, the wrapping film such as stretch film will cling against the rolls of film, thereby increasing the risk that the reels of film fall down when the user opens the arrangement and removes the film wrapped around the pallet. Advantageously, the sleeve may avoid sticking of the wrapping film against the rolls of film and may prevent falling of the reels of film upon opening of the pallet, thereby avoiding damage to the reels of film.

The film such as a stretch film may be wrapped around the two or more reels of film with a high tension and high stretching percentage in order to obtain a stable stacking. On the contrary, reels of film packed in a cardboard box can not be wrapped tightly with high tension and high stretching percentage because the wrapped film will push against the edges of the boxes and the boxes will be crushed and damaged. The arrangements as defined herein advantageously allow the film such as stretch film to be stretched and tensioned at the maximum level, with the advantage of increased stability. Furthermore, the higher the tension and the stretching percentage, the higher the transparency of the wrapping film such as stretch film, thereby increasing the visibility of the two or more reels of film on the pallet.

In certain embodiments of the arrangements as defined herein, the annular plate, plate and/or plate comprising two or more openings may be substantially made of a recyclable material. In certain further embodiments of the arrangements as defined herein, the annular plate, plate and/or plate comprising two or more openings may be substantially made of a reusable material. The annular plate, plate and/or plate comprising two or more openings may be substantially made of cardboard. Preferably, the annular plate, plate and/or the plate comprising two or more openings may be substantially made of corrugated cardboard. Using recyclable materials advantageously allows to comply with certain ecological requirements. Using recyclable materials may also reduce the costs of the contractor or farmer to cope with the generated waste.

In certain embodiments of the arrangements as defined herein, the annular plate, plate and/or plate comprising two or more openings may be reusable.

In certain embodiments of the arrangements as defined herein, the annular plate and/or plate comprising two or more openings may indicate the winding direction of the film. In certain embodiments of the arrangements as defined herein, at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core, such as at least part of the end surface of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the end surface of the second extended portion of the core, may be modified, preferably coloured. Indicating the winding direction and/or colouring at least part of the extended portions of the core may have the advantage that the contractor or farmer knows how to place the reel of film, namely in the correct unwinding direction, on the bale wrapper without loss of time and without additional manual lifting movements of the heavy reel of film. The annular plates or plates with two or more openings may prevent damage and/or contamination of the roll of film during modifying at least part of the extended portions of the cores.

In certain further embodiments of the packaged reel of film, the end surface of the first extended portion of the core and the end surface of the second extended portion of the core may be modified. In certain further embodiments of the packaged reel of film, the end surface and at least part of the cylindrical outer and/or inner surface of the first extended portion of the core and the end surface and at least part of the cylindrical outer and/or inner surface of the second extended portion of the core may be modified. A further aspect relates to a method for protecting a reel of film for bale applications, said method comprises the steps of:

providing a reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface therebetween, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core,

providing a first annular plate at the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or providing a second annular plate at the second annular surface of the roll of film, wherein the opening of the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the opening of the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core, and

modifying, preferably colouring, at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

The annular plate may protect the roll of film, in particular the end surfaces of the roll of film against damage and/or contamination which might be caused during the modification step. The annular plate may advantageously protect the roll of film, in particular the end surfaces of the roll of film against damage and/or contamination which might be caused during the colouring of at least part of the extended portion of the core such as at least part of the end surface of the extended portion of the core.

A further aspect relates to a method for protecting a reel of film for bale applications, said method comprises the steps of:

providing a first annular plate at the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or providing a second annular plate at the second annular surface of the roll of film, wherein the opening of the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the opening of the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core, and enclosing with a sleeve at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, and optionally at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate, and optionally at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

The annular plate may protect the reel of film, in particular the end surfaces of the roll of film against damage which might be caused during the application of the sleeve. The annular plate may protect the reel of film, in particular the end surfaces of the roll of film against heat and damage which might be caused for example during shrinkage of the sleeve around the reels of film.

In certain embodiments, the methods as defined herein may comprise the step of enclosing with a sleeve at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, and at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate, and optionally at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

Also provided herein is a method for protecting a reel of film for bale applications, said method comprises the steps of:

- providing a reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface therebetween, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core,

- modifying, preferably colouring, at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core, and

enclosing with a sleeve at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, and at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate, and optionally at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

In certain embodiments, the methods may comprise providing a first annular plate at the first annular surface of the roll of film and providing a second annular plate at the second annular surface of the roll of film, wherein the opening of the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and the opening of the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the methods as defined herein, wherein the opening of the first annular plate fittingly receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the opening of the second annular plate fittingly receives the second extended portion of the core.

Further provided in preferred embodiments are the methods as defined herein, wherein the opening of the first annular plate fittingly receives the first extended portion of the core and the opening of the second annular plate fittingly receives the second extended portion of the core.

The above and further aspects and preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following sections and in the appended claims. The subject-matter of appended claims is hereby specifically incorporated in this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figures 1A and 1C schematically represent a side view of a cross-section along the longitudinal axis A-A' of a packaged reel of film according to certain embodiments of the invention.

Figures IB and ID schematically represent a top or bottom view (along the longitudinal axis A- A') of the packaged reel of film illustrated in Figure 1A and 1C respectively.

Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 schematically represent an arrangement according to certain embodiments of the invention.

Figure 6A schematically represents an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 6B schematically represents a side view of a cross-section along the axis B-B' of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 6A.

Figure 7 schematically represent an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8A schematically represents an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8B schematically represents a side view of a cross-section along the axis C-C of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 8A.

Figure 9A schematically represents a top or bottom view of an annular plate comprising flaps of the packaged reel of film illustrated in Figure 9B.

Figures 9B and 9C schematically represent a side view of a cross-section along the longitudinal axis A-A' of a packaged reel of film according to embodiments of the invention.

Figure 9D schematically represents a packaged reel of film according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 10 schematically represents a side view of a cross-section along the longitudinal axis A-A' of a packaged reel of film according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 schematically represents a side view of a cross-section along the longitudinal axis A-A' of a packaged reel of film according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised of as used herein are synonymous with "including", "includes" or "containing", "contains", and are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, non-recited members, elements or method steps. The terms also encompass "consisting of and "consisting essentially of.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within the respective ranges, as well as the recited endpoints.

The term "about" as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of and from the specified value, in particular variations of +/-10% or less, preferably +1-5% or less, more preferably +1-1% or less, and still more preferably +/-0.1 % or less of and from the specified value, insofar such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. It is to be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" refers is itself also specifically, and preferably, disclosed. Whereas the term "one or more", such as one or more members of a group of members, is clear per se, by means of further exemplification, the term encompasses inter alia a reference to any one of said members, or to any two or more of said members, such as, e.g., any >3, >4, >5, >6 or >7 etc. of said members, and up to all said members.

All documents cited in the present specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions may be included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention.

As noted, the present inventors found according to a first aspect of the present invention a packaged reel of film for bale applications comprising: (a) a reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface therebetween, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core, and (b) a first annular plate provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or a second annular plate provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film, wherein the opening of the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the opening of the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core.

In an embodiment, the reel of film comprises an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core.

The term "core" as used herein refers to the central supporting member of the reel of film on which the roll of film is wound. The core may be substantially rigid.

In a certain embodiment, the core may be substantially made of any material which allows to form an elongated tubular core on which a roll of film can be wound. In a certain embodiment, the core is substantially made of cardboard. In a certain embodiment, the core is substantially made of a plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In a certain embodiment, the core is substantially made of wood. In a certain embodiment, the core is substantially made of steel. In a certain embodiment, the core is substantially made of a composition comprising one or more of cardboard, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, wood and steel.

The term "film", as used herein, is meant to encompass any film used for bale applications.

The film used for bale applications can be used for different kind of bales like grass, maize, sugar beet pulp, malt, straw, household refuse and other kind of materials which are packed in a bale. The film for bale applications can be a standard agricultural stretch film, a pre-stretched stretch film, a barrier stretch film or any other film that can be applied on bales.

The film may be an agricultural stretch wrap film for wrapping bales. The film may be a film used in the baling chamber to keep the bale compressed. The film may be a blown or cast film. The film may be a standard stretch film. The film may be a pre-stretched film such as a pre-stretched blown- extrusion film. The film may be pre-stretched in the longitudinal direction, in the transversal direction or in the longitudinal direction and in the transversal direction. The film may be a barrier stretch film.

The film may be substantially made of polyolefin. The term "polyolefin" generally refers to homopolymers, or copolymers having a methylene linkage between monomer units which may be formed by any method known to those skilled in the art. Examples of polyolefins broadly includes polymers such as polyethylene and ethylene copolymers having a small amount of a copolymer such as vinyl acetate, ethylene-alpha olefin copolymers (LLDPE), polypropylene, polybutene, and other polymeric resins falling in the "olefin" family classification, polyethylene (PE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE), ultra low-density polyethylene (ULDPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), high- density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra high-density polyethylene (UHDPE), ethylene/propylene copolymers, polypropylene (PP), propylene/ethylene copolymer, polyisoprene, polybutylene, polybutene, poly-3-methylbutene-l, poly-4-methylpentene-l, or copolymers of ethylene with one or more alpha-olefins such as butene-1, hexene-1 or octene-1. The film may comprise polyamide (PA), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), or any other material which can improve the barrier properties.

In an embodiment, the roll of film wound on the core comprises a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface therebetween.

The recitations "first annular surface" and "second annular surface", as used herein, refer to the end surfaces of the roll of film. The recitation "cylindrical outer surface", as used herein, refers to the tubular surface or cylindrical mantle surface comprised between the end surfaces. The recitations "end surface of the roll of film", "annular surface of the roll of film" and "annular surface on the end of the roll of film" may be used interchangeably herein.

The term "end surfaces" of a tubular object such as a roll of film or a core, refers to the two planes defined by the tubular object and perpendicular to the axis of the tubular object.

The term "annular" is generally used to refer to a ring-shaped object, i.e., an object comprised between two concentric circles.

The annular surfaces of the roll of film may be substantially flat or may be (slightly) frustoconical.

In an embodiment, the roll of film is positioned so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core.

It shall be understood by the skilled person that the terms "first extended portion of the core" and "second extended portion of the core" are not in any way dependent of the vertical position, horizontal position or any other position of the reel of film. The first extended portion and second extended portion can have the same or a different height. Preferably, the first extended portion and second extended portion have approximately the same height. The recitation "first and/or second extended portion", as used herein, is meant to encompass the first extended portion, or the second extended portion, or the first extended portion and the second extended portion.

In an embodiment, the packaged reel of film comprises a first annular plate provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or a second annular plate provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the packaged reel of film may comprise one or more, for example, two, three, four or more annular plates provided at the annular surface of the roll of film.

The term "annular plate", as used herein, refers to a ring-shaped plate or a plate comprised between two concentric circles.

The term "plate" is generally meant to encompass a substantially flat object. The plate may be slightly curved.

The recitation "an annular plate provided at an annular surface of the roll of film", as used herein, is meant to encompass an annular plate covering at least part of the annular surface of the roll of film. The annular plate may at least partly fill up the notional space surrounding the extended portions of the core and adjacent to the end surface of the roll of film such as the notional space adjacent to the (slightly) frustoconical end surface of the roll of film. When the annular plate is provided at the annular surface of the roll of film, one surface of the annular plate, i.e., the inner surface of the annular plate is directed to the roll of film and the other surface of the annular plate, i.e., the outer surface of the annular plate is directed outwardly.

The annular plate may be kept against the annular surface of the roll of film by means of a sleeve, tape or glue, or when the opening of the annular plate fittingly receives the extended portion of the core.

In certain embodiments, the inner diameter of the annular plate may be at least 70% of the outer diameter of the core, for example the inner diameter of the annular plate may be at least 80 %>, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99.0%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.8% of the outer diameter of the core. In these embodiments, in order that the opening of the annular plate can fittingly receive the extended portion of the core, the annular plate may be perforated from the inner diameter towards the outer diameter of the annular plate. Also provided in preferred embodiments are the packaged reels of film or arrangements, wherein the inner diameter of the annular plate is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the core. In certain embodiments, the inner diameter of the annular plate may be any diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the annular plate and which ranges between the outer diameter of the core and the outer diameter of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the outer diameter of the annular plate may be any diameter which is larger than the inner diameter of the annular plate and which ranges between the outer diameter of the core and the outer diameter of the roll of film.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film or arrangements as taught herein, wherein, the outer diameter of the annular plate may be at least 70% of the outer diameter of the roll of film, for example, the outer diameter of the annular plate may be at least 80%>, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99.0%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.8% of the outer diameter of the roll of film. Also provided in preferred embodiments are the packaged reels of film or arrangements as taught herein, wherein the outer diameter of the annular plate is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the roll of film.

Also provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film or arrangements as taught herein, wherein the outer diameter of the annular plate is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the roll of film. An annular plate with an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the roll of film guarantees that the end surface of a roll of film is fully covered and protected. The recitation "the outer diameter of the annular plate is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the roll of film" is meant to encompass an annular plate wherein the outer diameter is about 1 mm to 8 mm larger than the outer diameter of the roll of film, such as wherein the outer diameter is about 8 mm larger than the outer diameter of the roll of film, for example, wherein the outer diameter is about 6 mm larger than the outer diameter of the roll of film, for example, wherein the outer diameter is about 4 mm larger than the outer diameter of the roll of film, for example, wherein the outer diameter is about 2 mm larger than the outer diameter of the roll of film for example, wherein the outer diameter is about 1 mm larger than the outer diameter of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments of the packaged reels of film or arrangements as taught herein, the outer diameter of the annular plate may be larger than (i.e. increased compared with) the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film. An annular plate with an outer diameter larger than (i.e. increased compared with) the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film allows folding the annular plate over the edge of the roll of film and thereby guarantees that at least part of the cylindrical surface on the end of a roll of film is covered and protected.

In certain embodiments, the part of the annular plate which is larger than the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film, or in other words the portion of the annular plate which extends radially beyond the circumference of the annular surface of the roll of film, may be folded (over the edge of the roll of film) to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the end of the roll of film.

The term "folding", as used herein, refers to bending over of something relatively flat.

In certain embodiments, the part of the annular plate which is larger than the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film may be folded substantially perpendicularly relative to the remaining part of the annular plate provided at the annular surface of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the outer diameter of the annular plate may be at least about 5 mm larger than (i.e. is increased by at least about 5 mm compared with) the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film. For example, the outer diameter of the annular plate may be at least about 2 cm, at least about 4 cm, at least about 6 cm, at least about 8 cm, at least about 10 cm, at least about 20 cm, or at least about 50 cm larger than the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film. For example, the outer diameter of the annular plate may be about 5 mm to about 50 cm larger than the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film. For example, the outer diameter of the annular plate may be about 1 cm to about 40 cm, about 2 cm to about 30 cm, about 3 cm to about 20 cm, or about 4 cm to about 16 cm larger than the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the first annular plate may further comprise at least four flaps extending radially outwardly from the first annular plate, and the at least four flaps are folded along the circumference of the first annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and/or the second annular plate may further comprise at least four flaps extending radially outwardly of the second annular plate, and the at least four flaps are folded along the circumference of the second annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film. Such a packaged reel of film allows to protect the annular surface of a roll of film and the cylindrical outer surface on the end of the roll of film against mechanical damage for instance during transport of a single reel of film. Advantageously, the annular plate with flaps allows folding the flaps over the edges of the reel of film to form a protective hood or cap on the end(s) of the reel of film.

The term "flap", as used herein, refers to a flat element or sheet or protrusion extending from the annular plate.

In certain embodiments, each flap may be separable from its neighboring flap. In certain preferred embodiments, each flap may be separated from its neighboring flap (e.g. by a space such as a slit or notch).

The recitation "flaps extending radially outwardly from the annular plate" refers to flaps connected to the annular plate along the circumference of the annular plate. The connection allows that the flaps and the annular plate can be folded relative to each other. The annular plate and the flaps are preferably made from the same material. The annular plate and the flaps are preferably made as one piece from the same material.

In certain embodiments, the flaps and the annular plate may be folded substantially perpendicularly relative to each other. In certain embodiments, the flaps may be folded substantially perpendicularly relative to the annular plate provided at the annular surface of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments of the packaged reel of film, wherein the outer diameter of the annular plate is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film, the flaps may be folded along the circumference of the annular plate to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments of the packaged reel of film, wherein the outer diameter of the annular plate is smaller than the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film, at least part of the flaps may be provided at the annular surface of the roll of film and the remaining part of the flaps may be folded along the circumference of the annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film.

Preferably, the outer diameter of the plate formed by the annular plate with the flaps (i.e. the plate comprising the annular plate and the flaps extending radially outwardly from the annular plate) is larger than the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film.

The recitation "flaps are folded to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the end of the roll of film", as used herein, is meant to encompass flaps which are folded to be provided at the at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film. The terms "to cover", "to overlap with", "to be provided at" or "to receive" may be used interchangeably herein.

In certain embodiments, the flaps, such as the at least four flaps, may be connected with the circumference of the annular plate so that when folded the flaps form a cylindrical tube member capable of overlapping or receiving the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the flaps, such as at least four flaps, may be connected with substantially 360 degrees of the circumference of the annular plate. In certain embodiments, flaps, such as the at least four flaps may substantially be connected with at least about 280 degrees, for example at least about 300 degrees, at least about 320 degrees, or at least about 340 degrees of the circumference of the annular plate. In certain embodiments, a flap may be connected with at least about 10 degrees of the circumference of the annular plate. For example, a flap may (each independently, though similarly or identically dimensioned flaps may be preferred) be connected with at least about 10 degrees, at least about 20 degrees, at least about 30 degrees, at least about 40 degrees, at least about 45 degrees, at least about 50 degrees, at least about 60 degrees, or at most about 90 degrees of the circumference of the annular plate. For example, a flap may (each independently, though similarly or identically dimensioned flaps may be preferred) be connected with about 180 degrees or less, or about 160 degrees or less, or about 140 degrees or less, or about 120 degrees or less, or about 100 degrees or less, of the circumference of the annular plate. For example, a flap may (each independently, though similarly or identically dimensioned flaps may be preferred) be connected with between about 10 degrees and about 180 degrees, or between about 40 degrees and about 160 degrees, or between about 60 degrees and about 140 degrees, or between about 80 degrees and about 120 degrees, such as with about 90 degrees, of the circumference of the annular plate.

In certain embodiments, at least about 80% of the circumference of the annular plate may be connected with the flaps, such as with the at least four flaps. For example, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95% of the circumference of the annular plate may be connected with the flaps, such as at least four flaps.

As said, in certain embodiments of the packaged reels of film or arrangements as taught herein, the annular plate may comprise at least four flaps as defined herein, for example at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, at least nine, at least ten, at least eleven, at least twelve, at least sixteen, or at least twenty flaps extending radially outwardly from the annular plate.

In certain preferred embodiments of the packaged reels of film or arrangements as taught herein, the annular plate comprises eight flaps extending radially outwardly of the annular plate, wherein the eight flaps are connected with the circumference of the annular plate so that when folded the flaps form a cylindrical tube member capable of overlapping with or receiving the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film. Such packaged reels of film advantageously allow protecting an annular surface of a roll of film and an end portion of a roll of film along the circumference of the cylindrical outer surface.

In certain embodiments, the flaps may be randomly positioned (i.e. positioned at random intervals) around the annular plate. In certain preferred embodiments, the flaps may be regularly positioned (i.e. positioned at regular intervals) around the annular plate. In certain preferred embodiments, the flaps may be symmetrically positioned around the annular plate. Such packaged reels of film advantageously allow to easily fold the flaps while at the same time sufficiently covering the end portion of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the circumference of the annular plate may be modified to facilitate folding of the flaps relative to the annular plate. In certain embodiments, the circumference of the annular plate may be modified by perforations, one or more slits, or a groove (i.e. decreased thickness of the plate) along at least part or whole circumference of the annular plate. In certain embodiments, the annular plate and the flaps may be connected by means of a hinge element such as perforations, one or more slits, or a groove (i.e. decreased thickness of the plate). Such a modification advantageously facilitates folding the flaps over the annular surface of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the flaps may be modified to facilitate folding of the flaps relative to the annular plate. In certain embodiments, the flaps, preferably each flap, may be modified (e.g. perforated) along part of a circular line concentric with the annular plate. In certain embodiments, the flaps, preferably each flap, may be modified by perforations, a slit, or a groove (i.e. decreased thickness of the plate) applied along part of a circular line concentric with the annular plate. Such a modification advantageously facilitates folding the flaps over the annular surface of the roll of film, even when the outer diameter of the annular plate is smaller than the outer diameter of the annular surface of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the flaps may have substantially similar shape and size.

In certain embodiments, the size of the flap in the radial direction may be at least about 5 mm. For example, the size of the flap in the radial direction may be at least about 1 cm, at least about 2 cm, at least about 3 cm, at least about 4 cm, at least about 5 cm, or at least about 10 cm. In certain embodiments, the size of the flap in the radial direction may be about 5 mm to about 25 cm. For example, the size of the flap in the radial direction may be about 1 cm to about 20 cm, about 2 cm to about 15 cm, about 3 cm to about 10 cm, or about 4 cm to about 8 cm.

In certain embodiments of the packaged reels of film or the arrangements as taught herein, the flaps and the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film may be not associated or they may be associated. The association between the flaps and the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film may keep the flaps of the annular plate provided at the cylindrical outer surface on the end of the roll.

The term "not associated", as used herein, means that the flaps and the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film are not connected, i.e., they do not contact each other.

The term "associated", as used herein, means that the flaps and the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film are connected, i.e., they are at least partly in contact with each other. The association between the flaps and the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film may be a frictional association or a fixed association.

The term "frictional association", as used herein, means that the flaps and the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film are movably connected, i.e., they are at least partly in contact with each other and they can move relative to each other. The term "fixed association", as used herein, means that the flaps and the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film are non-mo vably connected, i.e., they are at least partly in contact with each other and they cannot move relative to each other.

The association between the flaps and the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film is meant to be non-permanent, i.e., the association can be easily removed or disrupted by a user, typically the association can be easily removed or disrupted by the user manually without the need for tools, or with relatively simple tools, such as a utility knife. The terms "non-permanent", "detachable" or "removable" can be used interchangeably herein.

In an embodiment, a sleeve, tape or adhesive (glue) may keep the flaps provided at the cylindrical outer surface on an end of the roll of film.

Also provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film or the arrangements as taught herein, wherein the height of the annular plate may be ranging from about 5% to about 250% of the height of the extended portion, for example, the height of the annular plate may be ranging from about 10%> to about 200%> the height of the extended portion, for example, the height of the annular plate may be ranging from about 20%> to about 150%) of the height of the extended portion, for example, the height of the annular plate may be ranging from about 40%> to about 120%) of the height of the extended portion, for example, the height of the annular plate may be ranging from about 60%o to about 110%> of the height of the extended portion. Further provided in certain embodiments are the packaged reels of film or arrangements as taught herein, wherein the height of the annular plate may be substantially similar to the height of the extended portion. Preferably, the height of the annular plate is ranging from about 70% to about 100%> of the height of the extended portion.

When the height of the annular plate is less than the height of the extended portion, the extended portion may compress a plate such as a corrugated cardboard plate positioned under the two or more vertical positioned reels of film because of their weight. When the height of the annular plate is more than the height of the extended portion, the annular plate such as a corrugated cardboard annular plate may be compressed through the weight of the reels of film.

In certain embodiments, the inner diameter of the annular plate is at least 70% of the outer diameter of the core, the outer diameter of the annular plate is at least 70% of the outer diameter of the roll of film and the height of the annular plate is ranging from about 5% to about 250% of the height of the extended portion.

In certain preferred embodiments, the inner diameter of the annular plate is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the core, the outer diameter of the annular plate is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the roll of film and the height of the annular plate is ranging from about 70% to about 100% of the height of the extended portion.

In certain embodiments, the annular plate, and by extension the plate and/or plate comprising two or more openings, may be reusable and/or may be substantially made of a recyclable material. The term "recyclable material", as used herein, refers to materials which after their use can be processed into new products. In certain embodiments, the annular plate, plate, and/or plate comprising two or more openings may be substantially made of a compressible material. The annular plate or plate comprising two or more openings may be substantially made of paperboard, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, foam such as polystyrene foam or any other recyclable material. Preferably, the annular plate, plate, and/or plate comprising two or more openings is substantially made of corrugated cardboard. The term "cardboard" generally refers to a heavy-duty paper of various strengths.

In certain embodiments, the annular plate, plate, and/or plate comprising two or more openings is substantially made of corrugated cardboard consisting of the following superimposed layers: an outer flat linerboard, a fluted sheet and an outer flat linerboard. In certain embodiments, the annular plate, plate, and/or plate comprising two or more openings is substantially made of corrugated fiberboard consisting of the following superimposed layers: an outer flat linerboard, a fluted sheet, an inner flat linerboard, a fluted sheet and an outer flat linerboard.

In certain embodiments, the annular plate, plate, and/or plate comprising two or more openings may be a single flute corrugated cardboard or a two or more such as three, four or five, or more flute corrugated cardboard. In certain embodiments, the annular plate, plate, and/or plate comprising two or more openings is a two or more such as three, four or five, or more flute corrugated cardboard wherein the flutes may have different thickness or different composition.

In certain embodiments, the annular plate, plate, and/or plate comprising two or more openings may indicate the winding direction of the film. The winding direction may be indicated by an arrow. For instance, the annular plate may indicate the winding direction of the film by an arrow which is printed on the annular plate before the annular plate is provided at the extended portion of the core.

In certain embodiments, the annular plate or the sleeve may also be printed and/or labelled with technical information such as one or more of product information, user instructions and warranty. This technical information allows the contractor or farmer to use the reel of film without the need to look up additional information and hence, without losing time. Furthermore, the technical information such as the product information allows to easily trace the product. In an embodiment, the opening of the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the opening of the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core.

The term "opening of the annular plate", as used herein, is meant to encompass a hole, a void or aperture through the plate.

The recitation "the opening of the annular plate receives the extended portion of the core", as used herein, is meant to encompass that the opening of the annular plate is applied around the extended portion of the core.

The annular plate and the extended portion of the core may be not associated or they may be associated. The association between the annular plate and the extended portion of the core may keep the annular plate provided at the annular surface of the roll of film.

The term "not associated", as used herein, means that the annular plate and the extended portion of the core are not connected, i.e., they do not contact each other.

The term "associated", as used herein, means that the annular plate and the extended portion of the core are connected, i.e., they are at least partly in contact with each other. The association may be a frictional association or a fixed association.

The term "frictional association", as used herein, means that the annular plate and the extended portion of the core are movably connected, i.e., they are at least partly in contact with each other and they can move relative to each other.

The term "fixed association", as used herein, means that the annular plate and the extended portion of the core are non-movably connected, i.e., they are at least partly in contact with each other and they cannot move relative to each other.

The association between the annular plate and the extended portion of the core is meant to be non- permanently, i.e., the association can be easily removed. The terms "non-permanent", "detachable" or "removable" can be used interchangeably herein.

In an embodiment, a sleeve, tape or glue may keep the annular plate provided at the annular surface of the roll of film.

In a further embodiment, the annular plate and the core may also be one piece, wherein the annular plate can be easily removed from the extended portion of the core by tearing of the annular plate from the extended portion along a perforated tear line.

The recitation "the opening of the annular plate fittingly receives the extended portion of the core", as used herein, is meant to encompass that the opening of the annular plate fits over the extended portion of the core or, stated differently, that the extended portion fits in the opening of the annular plate. For example, the opening of the annular plate fittingly receives the extended portion of the core when the inner diameter of the annular plate and the outer diameter of the extended portion of the core are substantially similar.

The extended portion of the core may protrude above the annular plate, the outer surface of the annular plate and the end surface of the extended portion may form a substantially flat surface, or the annular plate may protrude above the extended portion.

Preferably, the extended portion protrudes above the annular plate. The extended portion may protrude above the annular plate by about 7 mm or less, for example, the extended portion may protrude above the annular plate by about 5 mm or less, for example by about 4 mm or less, preferably by about 3 mm or less, more preferably by about 2 mm or less, and still more preferably the extended portion may protrude above the annular plate by about 1 mm or less.

The term "substantially flat surface", as used herein, is meant to encompass a flat surface and variations of and from a flat surface, in particular variations of about 7 mm or less between the outer surface of the annular plate and the end surface of the extended portion, for example about 5 mm or less between the outer surface of the annular plate and the end surface of the extended portion, for example about 4 mm or less between the outer surface of the annular plate and the end surface of the extended portion, preferably about 3 mm or less between the outer surface of the annular plate and the end surface of the extended portion, more preferably about 2 mm or less between the outer surface of the annular plate and the end surface of the extended portion, and still more preferably about 1 mm or less between the outer surface of the annular plate and the end surface of the extended portion.

The outer surface of the first annular plate and the end surface of the first extended portion of the core may form a substantially flat surface and/or the outer surface of the second annular plate and the end surface of the second extended portion of the core may form a substantially flat surface. Such a substantially flat surface provides an increased stability to the reel of film, for instance when the reel of film is vertically positioned on the annular plate. Such increased stability advantageously allows vertical stacking, storing and/or transporting of the present packaged reel of film in an efficient and hence, economical manner.

In an embodiment, the packaged reel of film may further comprises a sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core. In certain embodiments, the sleeve may enclose only the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the sleeve may enclose the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate.

In certain embodiments, the sleeve may enclose the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and the first annular plate and/or the second annular plate and at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

In certain embodiments, the sleeve may enclose the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and the first annular plate and/or the second annular plate and the first extended portion of the core and/or the second extended portion of the core. For instance, the sleeve may be put into the core. A sleeve enclosing the extended portions of the core may advantageously protect the core from moisture. This is important for example when the core is substantially made of cardboard, because moisture may weaken the core thereby destructing the reel of film.

In certain embodiments, the packaged reel of film may further comprise a first sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core and a second sleeve enclosing at least part of the first sleeve.

The recitations "at least part of and "at least a part of may be used interchangeably herein.

In certain embodiments, the packaged reel of film may further comprise two or more sleeves.

In certain embodiments of the packaged reels of film or arrangements as taught herein, the packaged reel of film may further comprise a first sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and/or a second sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the second annular plate. Such a packaged reel of film advantageously provides additional protection on the edges of the reel of film against mechanical damage for instance during transport of a single reel of film.

Optionally, the packaged reel of film may further comprise a third sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, and optionally enclosing at least part of the first sleeve and/or at least part of the second sleeve, and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core. Such a packaged reel of film advantageously allows protecting the reel of film against dust, heating up, and/or UV radiation, while at the same time providing additional protection on the edges of the reel of film against mechanical damage for instance during transport of a single reel of film.

In certain embodiments, the first sleeve may enclose only at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and/or the second sleeve may enclose only at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film. Hence, in such embodiments, the sleeve does not enclose any part of the respective annual plate.

In certain embodiments, the first sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and at least part of the first annular plate and/or the second sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film and at least part of the second annular plate.

In certain embodiments, the first sleeve may enclose only at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and/or the second sleeve may enclose only at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film (hence, the sleeve does not enclose any part of the respective annual plate) and the third sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the first sleeve may enclose only at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and/or the second sleeve may enclose only at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film (hence, the sleeve does not enclose any part of the respective annual plate) and the third sleeve may enclose the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and at least part of the first sleeve and/or at least part of the second sleeve.

In certain embodiments, the first sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and at least part of the first annular plate and/or the second sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film and at least part of the second annular plate, and the third sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film.

In certain embodiments, the first sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and at least part of the first annular plate and/or the second sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film and at least part of the second annular plate, and the third sleeve may enclose the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and at least part of the first sleeve and/or at least part of the second sleeve.

In certain embodiments, the first sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and optionally at least part of the first annular plate and/or the second sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film and optionally at least part of the second annular plate, and the third sleeve may enclose the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, the first sleeve and/or the second sleeve, and at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate.

In certain embodiments, the first sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and optionally at least part of the first annular plate and/or the second sleeve may enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film and optionally at least part of the second annular plate, and the third sleeve may enclose the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, the first sleeve and/or the second sleeve, and the first annular plate and/or the second annular plate and at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

The sleeve may be substantially made from a sheet, wherein the sheet may be put around the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film to define a tube member having first and second end sides. In certain embodiments, the first end side of the first sleeve may align with (i.e. may not extend beyond) the plane defined by the outer surface of the first annular plate and/or the first end side of the second sleeve may align with (i.e. may not extend beyond) the plane defined by the outer surface of the second annular plate. In certain embodiments, the first end side of the first sleeve may at least partially overlap with the first annular plate and/or the first end side of the second sleeve may at least partially overlap with the second annular plate.

In certain embodiments, the first sleeve does not extend beyond the plane defined by the outer surface of the first annular plate and/or the second sleeve does not extend beyond the plane defined by the outer surface of the second annular plate. In certain embodiments, the first sleeve may at least partially overlap with the first annular plate and/or the second sleeve may at least partially overlap with the second annular plate.

In certain embodiment, the first sleeve and/or the second sleeve may have a width ranging from about 1 cm to about 50 cm. For example, the first sleeve and/or the second sleeve may have a width ranging from about 2 cm to about 40 cm, for example from about 4 cm to about 30 cm, for example from about 5 cm to about 20 cm. In certain embodiment, the portion of the first sleeve overlapping with the first annular plate and/or the portion of the second sleeve overlapping with the second annular plate may be from about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm. For example, the portion of the first sleeve overlapping with the first annular plate and/or the portion of the second sleeve overlapping with the second annular plate may be from about 1 cm to about 4 cm, for example from about 1 cm to about 3 cm, for example from about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm.

In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve may be substantially made from a sheet of film such as a heat-shrinkable film. The sleeve may be substantially made from a sheet of film, wherein the sheet of film may be put around the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and may be closed, preferably sealed or glued in the longitudinal direction of the reel of film, to define a tube member having first and second end sides. Optionally said first and/or second end sides may be at least partially shrunk, sealed, or glued, to further enclose at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate and optionally at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core. The sleeve may enclose the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, and at least part of the first annular plate, and/or at least part of the second annular plate, and at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core and the sleeve may be cut in the core after the enclosure step.

The film may be a standard blown or cast film. The film may be a pre-stretched film such as a pre- stretched blown extrusion film. The film may be pre-stretched in the longitudinal direction, in the transversal direction, or in the longitudinal direction and in the transversal direction.

The sleeve may be a bag or tube suitable to be put over the reel of film. Advantageously, the open ends of the bag or tube can be put into the core on one or both sides, thereby keeping the first and second annular plate in place.

The sleeve may be a stretch hood. The term "stretch hood", as used herein, refers to a tube which is smaller than the circumference of the reel of film and which can be stretched in the transversal direction and put over the reel to enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll and optionally at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate and optionally at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

The sleeve may be a shrink tube. The term "shrink tube", as used herein, refers to a tube which is larger than the circumference of the reel of film and which can put around the reel of film and shrunk around the reel of film by heating the tube to enclose at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll and optionally at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate and optionally at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

The sleeve may be substantially made of polyolefin. The film, the bag, the stretch hood, or the shrink tube may be substantially made of polyolefin. The sleeve may be substantially made from bubble wrap. The sleeve may be substantially made from a sheet of paper, cardboard or corrugated cardboard. The sleeve may be substantially made from a sheet of (corrugated) cardboard, wherein the sheet of (corrugated) cardboard may be put around the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film to define a tube member and the tube member of (corrugated) cardboard may be fixed around the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film by means of glue, tape, or a sleeve enclosing the tube member of (corrugated) cardboard. For example, the sheet of (corrugated) cardboard may be put around the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and overlapping portions of the sheet of (corrugated) cardboard may be closed, preferably glued, in the longitudinal direction of the reel of film, to define a tube member having first and second end sides. For example, the sheet of (corrugated) cardboard may be put around the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and adjacent portions of the sheet of (corrugated) cardboard may be closed, preferably with a tape, to define a tube member having first and second end sides. For example, the sheet of (corrugated) cardboard may be put around the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and the sheet of (corrugated) cardboard may be glued to the roll of film to define a tube member having first and second end sides. In certain embodiments, the first sleeve and/or the second sleeve may be at least partially folded and/or crushed to enclose at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate. Optionally, part of the first sleeve and/or part of the second sleeve may be glued to at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate. Optionally, the first sleeve and/or the second sleeve may be enclosed by a third sleeve to keep part of the first sleeve and/or part of the second sleeve provided at at least part of the first annular plate and/or at at least part of the second annular plate. The sleeve may be a combination of a sheet of film, a bag, a tube, a stretch hood, a sheet of paper, a cardboard or a corrugated cardboard.

In certain embodiments, the two or more sleeves may be substantially made from different materials. In certain embodiments, the first sleeve and/or second sleeve may be substantially made from a shock-absorbing material such as paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, or bubble wrap, and optionally the third sleeve may be substantially made from a sheet of film such as a heat- shrinkable film. Such a packaged reel of film advantageously allows protecting the reel of film against dust, heating up, and/or UV radiation, while at the same time providing additional protection on the edges of the reel of film against mechanical damage for instance during transport of a single reel of film.

Further provided herein is the use of a packaged reel of film as defined herein for bale applications. The present inventors have found that use of a packaged reel of film embodying the principles of the present invention reduces the generation of waste. The annular plate can be easily and immediately collected on the bale wrapper for example can be easily piled on the supports of the bale wrapper when using the reels, advantageously not leaving any packaging material on the field and hence, there is also no need to collect the waste afterwards. Therefore, the present method allows the contractor or farmer to save time and money.

Furthermore, the sleeve can be wrapped together with the film during the bale wrapping process and can be recycled together with the film, which may advantageously reduce the costs of processing the waste. Because the sleeve may be flexible, the sleeve can also easily be collected during wrapping on the field.

In certain embodiments, the arrangements as defined herein may comprise two or more for example, three, four, five, or more such as ten, twelve, fifteen, sixteen, eighteen, twenty, twenty- four, thirty-two, forty or more vertically positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein. In certain embodiments, the arrangements as defined herein may comprise at least five, for example at least ten, at least twelve, at least fifteen, at least sixteen, at least twenty, for example at least forty vertically positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein. In preferred embodiments, the arrangements as defined herein may comprise twenty vertically positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein.

In preferred embodiments, the arrangements as defined herein may further comprise a first plate provided at the first annular plates and/or at the first extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film and/or a second plate provided at the second annular plates and/or at the second extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film. The extended portion of the core, for instance when the height of the extended portion is more than the height of the annular plate, may through the weight of the reels of film push in the plate resulting in an increased stability. When the extended portion is less than the height of the annular plate, the annular plate will be compressed through the weight of the reel resulting also in an increased stability.

In certain embodiments, the arrangements as defined herein may comprise at least one layer, for example one, two, three, four, five, or six layers of two or more vertically positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein. In preferred embodiments, the arrangements as defined herein may comprise two or more layers of two or more, vertically positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein. In preferred embodiments, the arrangements as defined herein may comprise three or more layers of two or more, vertically positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein.

Also described in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the two or more vertically positioned packaged reels of film are stacked next to each other on a base member. As already mentioned herein, a packaged reel of film as defined herein has reduced dimensions compared to a reel of film in a box. This allows optimizing the number of vertically positioned packaged reels of film which can be stacked next to each other on a base member such as a pallet. Such optimization advantageously allows to increase the efficiency of both internal and external storage and/or transport of the packaged reels of film, while at the same time reducing the cost of storage and/or transport.

For instance and without limitation, packaged reels of film of 750mm can be vertically stacked in two layers on a base member, packaged reels of film of 500mm can be vertically stacked in three layers on a base member, packaged reels of film of 360mm can be vertically stacked in four layers on a base member, packaged reels of film of 250mm can be vertically stacked in four or six layers on a base member.

Also provided in an embodiment are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein the two or more vertically positioned packaged reels of film comprise in the upper part of the sleeve one or more dots, stripes and/or strips of glue. The glue may aid in keeping the reels of film together.

The term "base member", as used herein, refer to the lowest part or lowest member of the arrangement, in particular the part on which the other elements such as the packaged reels of film rest or are supported. Preferably, the base member is a pallet. Dimensions of pallets are standardized and known in the art. For instance, a "European" pallet, named europallet, has dimensions of 1200mm x 800mm and advantageously fits standard doorways.

In certain embodiments, the arrangements as defined herein may comprise two or more for example, three, four, five, or more such as ten, twelve, fifteen, sixteen, eighteen, twenty, twenty- five, thirty, forty or more horizontally positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein. Such an arrangement advantageously protects the rolls of film for instance during internal and external transport of the reels of film and/or arrangement, in particular, the end surfaces of the rolls of film are protected against mechanical damage, thereby avoiding that a complete reel of film needs to be discarded.

In certain embodiments, the arrangements as defined herein may comprise at least five, for example at least ten, at least twelve, at least fifteen, at least sixteen, at least twenty, for example at least forty horizontally positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein. In preferred embodiments, the arrangements as defined herein may comprise twenty horizontally positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein.

In certain embodiments, the arrangement may comprise at least one layer, for example one, two, three, four, five, or six layers of two or more horizontally positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein. In preferred embodiments, the arrangement may comprise four layers of two or more horizontally positioned packaged reels of film as defined herein.

The arrangements may further comprise support members suitable for horizontal stacking such as honeycomb cardboard support members, plastic support members, or wooden support members. The film for bundling or wrapping the two or more packaged reels of film and at least part of the base member may be a stretch wrap film, a tube film, a shrink tube, a stretch tube, a shrink hood or a stretch hood. Preferably, the film for wrapping the two or more packaged reels of film and at least part of the base member is a stretch wrap film.

It shall be understood by the skilled man that the arrangements may comprise combinations of annular plates and plates comprising two or more openings, both as defined herein.

Furthermore, it shall be understood by the skilled man that the arrangements may comprise combinations of annular plates, plates comprising two or more openings, and/or plates without openings, all as defined herein.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to an arrangement comprising: (a) two or more reels of film, said reels of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface therebetween, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of said core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core, and (b) a first plate comprising two or more openings provided at the first annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film and/or a second plate comprising two or more openings provided at the second annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film, wherein the two or more openings of the first plate receive the first extended portions of the two or more reels of film and/or the two or more openings of the second plate receive the second extended portions of the two or more reels of film.

In an embodiment, the arrangement comprises a first plate comprising two or more openings provided at the first annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film and/or a second plate comprising two or more openings provided at the second annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film.

The recitation "a plate comprising two or more openings", as used herein refers to a plate comprising two or more such as two, three, four, five, or more such as ten, twelve, fifteen, sixteen, eighteen, twenty, twenty-four, thirty-two, forty or more openings. In certain embodiments, the plate comprising two or more openings may comprise at least five, for example at least ten, at least twelve, at least fifteen, at least sixteen, at least twenty, for example at least forty openings.

As used herein, the term "plate" may encompass a plate with two or more openings or a plate without openings.

The recitation "opening of the plate", as used herein, is meant to encompass a hole, void or aperture in or completely through the plate. The recitation "a plate comprising two or more openings provided at the annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film", as used herein, is meant to encompass a plate covering at least part of the annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film. The plate comprising two or more openings may at least partly fill up the notional space surrounding the extended portions of the core and adjacent to the annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film such as the notional space adjacent to the (slightly) frustoconical annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film. When the plate comprising two or more openings is provided at the annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film, one surface of the plate comprising two or more openings, i.e. the inner surface, is directed to the annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film and the other surface of the plate comprising two or more openings, i.e. the outer surface, is directed outwardly.

The plate comprising two or more openings may be kept against the annular surfaces of the rolls of film by means of tape or glue, or by means of a film wrapped around the arrangement, or by means of a shrink tube, stretch tube, or hood.

In certain embodiments, the width and length of the plate are chosen so that they substantially cover the two or more reels of film without protruding from the reels of film or so that on each side they protrude maximum 50 mm, for example maximum 30 mm, for example maximum 10 mm from the reels of film. Also provided in preferred embodiments are the arrangements, wherein the height of the plate is ranging from about 5% to about 250% the height of the extended portions, for example, the height of the plate is ranging from about 10% to about 200% the height of the extended portions, for example, the height of the plate is ranging from about 20%> to about 150%) the height of the extended portions, for example, the height of the plate is ranging from about 40%> to about 120%) the height of the extended portions, for example, the height of the plate is ranging from about 60%> to about 110%> the height of the extended portions. In a certain embodiment, the height of the plate is substantially similar to the height of the extended portions. Preferably, the height of the plate is ranging from about 70% to about 100%) the height of the extended portions.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements, wherein the diameter of the two or more openings of the plate is ranging from about 70% to about 200% of the outer diameter of the core, for example, the diameter of the two or more openings of the plate is ranging from about 80%> to about 150%) of the outer diameter of the core, for example, the diameter of the two or more openings of the plate is ranging from about 90%> to about 125%) of the outer diameter of the core, for example, the diameter of the two or more openings of the plate is ranging from about 95% to about 110%) of the outer diameter of the core, for example, the diameter of the two or more openings of the plate is ranging from about 99% to about 105% of the outer diameter of the core, preferably, the diameter of the two or more openings of the plate is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the core. Also provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements, wherein the height of the two or more openings of the plate is ranging from about 25% to about 100% of the height of the plate, for example, the height of the two or more openings of the plate is ranging from about 50%> to about 100%) of the height of the plate, for example, the height of the two or more openings of the plate is ranging from about 75% to about 100%> of the height of the plate, preferably, the height of the two or more openings of the plate is substantially similar to the height of the plate.

In certain embodiments of the arrangements, the width and length of the plate are so that they substantially cover the two or more reels of film with on each side of the arrangement a protruding of maximum 50mm from the reels of film, the height of the plate is ranging from about 5% to about 250%) the height of the extended portions, the diameter of the two or more openings of the plate is ranging from about 70% to about 200% of the outer diameter of the core and the height of the two or more openings of the plate is ranging from about 25% to about 100%) of the height of the plate.

In certain preferred embodiments of the arrangements, the width and length of the plate are so that they substantially cover the two or more reels of film without protruding from the reels of film, the height of the plate is ranging from about 70% to about 100%) the height of the extended portions, the diameter of the two or more openings of the plate is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the core, the height of the two or more openings of the plate is substantially similar to the height of the plate.

In an embodiment, the two or more openings of the first plate receive the first extended portions of the two or more reels of film and/or the two or more openings of the second plate receive the second extended portions of the two or more reels of film.

The recitation "the two or more openings of the plate receive the extended portions of the two or more reels of film", as used herein, is meant to encompass that the openings of the plate are applied around the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film.

The plate comprising two or more openings and the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film may be not associated or they may be associated. The association between the plate comprising two or more openings and the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film may keep the plate provided at the annular surfaces of the roll of film.

The term "not associated", as used herein, means that the plate comprising two or more openings and the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film are not connected, i.e., they do not contact each other.

The term "associated", as used herein, means that the plate comprising two or more openings and the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film are connected, i.e., they are at least partly in contact with each other. The association may be a frictional association or a fixed association.

The term "frictional association", as used herein, means that the plate comprising two or more openings and the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film are movably connected, i.e., they are at least partly in contact with each other and they can move relative to each other.

The term "fixed association", as used herein, means that the plate comprising two or more openings and the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film are non-movably connected, i.e., they are at least partly in contact with each other and they cannot move relative to each other. The association between the plate comprising two or more openings and the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film is meant to be non-permanently, i.e., the association can be easily removed. The terms "non-permanent", "detachable" or "removable" can be used interchangeably herein. In an embodiment, the plate comprising two or more openings may be non- permanently connected to the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film by means of tape or glue, or by means of a film wrapped around the arrangement, or by means of a shrink tube, stretch tube or hood.

The recitation "the two or more openings of the plate fittingly receive the extended portions of the two or more reels of film", as used herein, is meant to encompass that the openings of the plate fit over the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film or, stated differently, that the extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film fit in the openings of the plate. For example, the openings of the plate fittingly receive the extended portions of the cores when the diameter of the openings and the outer diameter of the extended portions of the cores are substantially similar.

The extended portions of the cores of the two or more reels of film may protrude above the plate comprising two or more openings, the outer surface of the plate comprising two or more openings and the end surface of the extended portion may form a substantially flat surface, or the plate comprising two or more openings may protrude above the extended portions.

Preferably, the extended portions protrude above the plate comprising two or more openings. The extended portions may protrude above the plate comprising two or more openings by about 7 mm or less, for example, the extended portions may protrude above the plate comprising two or more openings by about 5 mm or less, for example by about 4 mm or less, preferably by about 3 mm or less, more preferably by about 2 mm or less, and still more preferably the extended portions may protrude above the plate comprising two or more openings by about 1 mm or less. The term "substantially flat surface", as used herein, is meant to encompass a flat surface and variations of and from a flat surface, in particular variations of about 7 mm or less between the outer surface of the plate comprising two or more openings and the end surface of the extended portions, for example about 5 mm or less between the outer surface of the plate comprising two or more openings and the end surface of the extended portions, for example about 4 mm or less, preferably about 3 mm or less, more preferably about 2 mm or less, and still more preferably about 1 mm or less between the outer surface of the plate comprising two or more openings and the end surface of the extended portions.

The outer surface of the first plate comprising two or more openings and the end surfaces of the first extended portions of the two or more reels of film may form a substantially flat surface and/or the outer surface of the second plate comprising two or more openings and the end surfaces of the second extended portions of the two or more reels of film may form a substantially flat surface.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein a plate comprising two or more openings such as a corrugated cardboard plate with two or more openings is further placed underneath and/or on top of one or more layers of two or more vertically positioned reels of film. Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein a plate comprising two or more openings is placed between two layers of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film. The two or more openings of the plate may receive the extended portions of the reels of film at the top of the bottom layer and the extended portions of the reels of film at the bottom of the top layer. The plate comprising two or more openings may advantageously allow to increase the stability of different layers of vertically stacked reels of film since the layers are linked to each other by the plate comprising two or more openings.

Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein a plate without openings is placed underneath and/or on top of one or more layers of two or more vertically positioned reels of film. Further provided in certain embodiments are the arrangements as defined herein, wherein a plate without openings is placed between two layers of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film. The extended portion of the core, for instance when the height of the extended portion is more than the height of the annular plate, may through the weight of the reels of film push in the plate without openings resulting in an increased stability.

The packaged reel of film as defined herein can be produced by a method for packaging a reel of film for bale applications, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film , a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film , and a cylindrical outer surface there between, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core, and

providing a first annular plate at the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or providing a second annular plate at the second annular surface of the roll of film, wherein the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core.

- providing a reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film , a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film , and a cylindrical outer surface there between, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core, and

providing a first annular plate at the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or providing a second annular plate at the second annular surface of the roll of film, wherein the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core, wherein the first annular plate further comprises flaps, such as at least four flaps, extending radially outwardly from the first annular plate and/or the second annular plate further comprises flaps, such as at least four flaps, extending radially outwardly of the second annular plate, and

folding the flaps, such as at least four flaps, along the circumference of the first annular surface to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and/or folding the flaps, such as at least four flaps, along the circumference of the second annular surface to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film.

The method for packaging a reel of film for bale applications may further comprise the step of enclosing with a sleeve at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate, and optionally enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

The method for packaging a reel of film for bale applications may further comprise the step of enclosing with a first sleeve at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and optionally at least part of the first annular plate and/or enclosing with a second sleeve at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film and optionally at least part of the second annular plate. Optionally, the method for packaging a reel of film for bale applications may further comprise the step of enclosing with a third sleeve at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, and optionally at least part of the first sleeve and/or at least part of the second sleeve, and optionally at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate, and optionally at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

The method for packaging a reel of film for bale applications may further comprise the step of enclosing with a sleeve at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate, and optionally enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core, wherein the sleeve keeps the first annular plate associated with the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or keeps the second annular plate associated with the second annular surface of the roll of film.

The method for packaging a reel of film for bale applications as defined herein may further comprise the step of at least partially colouring the first and/or second extended portion of the core provided with an annular plate. The annular plate may advantageously protect the reel of film, in particular the end surfaces of the reel of film against damage and contamination which might be caused during the colouring.

providing two or more reels of film, each reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film , a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film , and a cylindrical outer surface there between, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core, and

providing a first plate comprising two or more openings at the first annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film and/or providing a second plate comprising two or more openings at the second annular surfaces of the two or more rolls of film, wherein the two or more openings of the first plate receive the first extended portions of the two or more reels of film and/or the two or more openings of the second plate receive the second extended portions of the two or more reels of film. Non-limiting examples of a packaged reel of film and arrangements according to the present invention are for instance illustrated in Figures 1 to 8.

Figure 1A schematically illustrates a side view of a cross-section along the longitudinal axis A-A' of a packaged reel of film 1 for bale applications. The packaged reel of film 1 comprises a reel of film 1 1 comprising an elongated tubular core 2 defining a longitudinal axis A-A'. The reel of film 1 1 further comprises a roll of film 3 wound on the core 2 thereby defining a first annular surface 31 on one end of the roll of film 3, a second annular surface 32 on the other end of the roll of film 3, and a cylindrical outer surface 33 therebetween. The roll of film 3 is positioned on the core 2 so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film 3, thereby defining a first extended portion 41 on one end of the core 2 and a second extended portion 42 on the other end of the core 2. The packaged reel of film 1 comprises a first annular plate 51 provided at the first annular surface 31 of the roll of film 3 and a second annular plate 52 provided at the second annular surface 32 of the roll of film. The opening 58 of the first annular plate 51 fittingly receives the first extended portion 41 of the core 2 and the opening 59 of the second annular plate 52 fittingly receives the second extended portion 42 of the core 2.

Figure IB schematically illustrates a top or bottom view along the longitudinal axis A-A' of the packaged reel of film 1 illustrated in Figure 1A. The view illustrates the annular plate 51 provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film 3 whereby the opening of the first annular plate 51 fittingly receives the first extended portion 41 of the core.

Figure 1C schematically illustrates a side view of a cross-section along the longitudinal axis A-A' of a packaged reel of film 1 for bale applications. The packaged reel of film 1 comprises a reel of film 1 1 comprising an elongated tubular core 2 defining a longitudinal axis A-A'. The reel of film 1 1 further comprises a roll of film 3 wound on the core 2 thereby defining a first annular surface 31 on one end of the roll of film 3, a second annular surface 32 on the other end of the roll of film 3, and a cylindrical outer surface 33 therebetween. The roll of film 3 is positioned on the core 2 so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film 3, thereby defining a first extended portion 41 on one end of the core 2 and a second extended portion 42 on the other end of the core 2. The packaged reel of film 1 comprises a first annular plate 51 provided at the first annular surface 31 of the roll of film 3 and a second annular plate 52 provided at the second annular surface 32 of the roll of film 3. The opening 58 of the first annular plate 51 receives the first extended portion 41 of the core 2 and the opening 59 of the second annular plate 52 receives the second extended portion 42 of the core 2.

Figure ID schematically illustrates a top or bottom view along the longitudinal axis A-A' of the packaged reel of film 1 illustrated in Figure 1 C. The view illustrates the annular plate 51 provided at the first annular surface 31 whereby the opening of the first annular plate 51 receives the first extended portion 41 of the core. As shown in Figure ID, the sleeve 6 encloses a part of the first annular plate 51 and keeps the first annular plate 51 provided at the first annular surface 31 of the roll of film.

As illustrated in Figure 1C and ID, the packaged reel of film 1 may further comprise a sleeve 6 enclosing the cylindrical outer surface 33 of the roll of film 3, the first annular plate 51 and the second annular plate 52. The sleeve 6 keeps the first annular plate 51 provided at the first annular surface 31 of the roll of film 3 and keeps the second annular plate 52 provided at the second annular surface 32 of the roll of film 3.

It will be understood by the skilled man in the art that the packaged reel of film may comprise an annular plate at one or both of the annular surfaces of the roll of film. Accordingly, the sleeve may enclose at least part of one or both of the annular plates. Furthermore, the sleeve may enclose at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core. Furthermore, the sleeve may completely enclose the first extended portion of the core and/or the second extended portion of the core. Furthermore, it will be understood that the packaged reel of film may comprise one or more, for example, two, three, four or more annular plates at the annular surfaces of the roll of film. Furthermore, it will be understood that the packaged reel of film may comprise different types of annular plates, for example, annular plates of different material, different colour, different printing and/or different dimensions.

Referring to Figure 2, an arrangement 7 is shown comprising a layer 12 of twenty vertically positioned packaged reels of film 211. Each packaged reel of film 211 comprises a reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core 22 and a roll of film 230 wound on the core 22, thereby defining a first annular surface (not shown) on one end of the roll of film 230, a second annular surface 232 on the other end of the roll of film 230, and a cylindrical outer surface (not indicated) therebetween, the roll of film 230 being positioned so that a portion of said core 22 extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film 230, thereby defining a first extended portion (not shown) of the core 22 and a second extended portion 242 of the core 22. The packaged reel of film 211 further comprises an annular plate 251 provided at the first annular surface (not shown) of the roll of film 230. The opening of the first annular plate 251 receives the first extended portion (not shown) of the core 22.

Referring to Figure 3, an arrangement 71 is shown comprising one layer 312 of twenty vertically positioned packaged reels of film 311. Each packaged reel of film 311 comprises a reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core (not indicated) and a roll of film 330 wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface (not shown) on one end of the roll of film 330, a second annular surface (not indicated) on the other end of the roll of film 230, and a cylindrical outer surface (not indicated) therebetween. The roll of film 330 is positioned so that a portion of said core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film 330. The extensions past the roll of film 330 define a first extended portion (not shown) of the core and a second extended portion 342 of the core. The packaged reel of film 311 further comprises a first annular plate 351 provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and a second annular plate 352 provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film 330. As illustrated in Figure 3, the opening of the second annular plate 352 fittingly receives the second extended portion 342 of the core.

Referring to Figure 4, an arrangement 72 is shown comprising from the bottom to the top: a pallet 8; a plastic sheet 91 ; a corrugated cardboard plate 92; a layer 412 of twenty vertically positioned packaged reels of film 411 ; a corrugated cardboard plate 93; a layer 413 of twenty vertically positioned packaged reels of film 411 ; and a corrugated cardboard plate 94.

The plastic sheet 91, for example a film, preferably completely covers the pallet 8. The corrugated cardboard plates 92, 93 and 94 may comprise a single, two or more corrugated layers. The corrugated cardboard plates 92, 93 and 94 preferably comprise two corrugated layers. The corrugated cardboard plates 92, 93 and 94 preferably have rounded corners. The corrugated cardboard plates 92, 93 and 94 preferably are not protruding from the pallet 8 and from the reels of film 411.

Each packaged reel of film 411 comprises an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface therebetween. The roll of film is positioned so that a portion of said core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film. The extensions past the roll of film define a first extended portion of the core and a second extended portion of the core. Each packaged reel of film 411 further comprises a first annular plate (e.g. 451,

453) provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and a second annular plate (e.g. 452,

454) provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film. The opening of the first annular plate fittingly receives the first extended portion of the core. The opening of the second annular plate fittingly receives the second extended portion of the core.

The packaged reels of film 411 preferably do not protrude from the pallet 8. Each packaged reel of film 411 is preferably positioned in the same way on the pallet 8, for example with the reel labels all positioned in the same direction.

The extended portions of the cores of the reels of film of the first layer 412 will through the weight of the reels of film push into the first corrugated cardboard plate 92, especially when the height of the extended portions is slightly more than the height of the annular plates 451. The extended portions of the cores of the reels of film of the first layer 412 and of the second layer 413 will through the weight of the reels of film of the second layer 413 push in the second corrugated cardboard plate 93, especially when the height of the extended portions is slightly more than the height of the annular plates (452 and 453 respectively). The corrugated cardboard plates 92 and 93 may provide further protection of the reels of film 411 while at the same time allow increased stability of the arrangement 72. The corrugated cardboard plate 94 may provide additional protection and stability when stacking a second arrangement on top of the first arrangement.

Referring to Figure 5, an arrangement 73 is shown comprising from the bottom to the top: a pallet 81 ; a plastic sheet 591 ; a corrugated cardboard plate 592; a layer 512 of four times five, i.e., twenty vertically positioned packaged reels of film 511; a corrugated cardboard plate 593; a layer 513 of four times five, i.e., twenty vertically positioned packaged reels of film 511 ; and a corrugated cardboard plate 594. The arrangement 73 as shown in Figure 5 is the same as the arrangement shown in Figure 4, however the arrangement 73 further comprises a plastic sheet on the top and a film 99 wrapped around a part of the pallet 81 and all aforementioned layers.

Referring to Figure 6, an arrangement 74 is shown comprising from the bottom to the top: a pallet 83; a plastic bottom sheet 691 ; a corrugated cardboard plate 655 with twenty openings 658; a first layer 612 of four times five, i.e., twenty vertically positioned packaged reels of film 611 ; a corrugated cardboard plate 656 with twenty openings 659; a second layer 613 of four times five, i.e., twenty vertically positioned packaged reels of film 611 ; and a corrugated cardboard plate 657 with twenty openings 660. The arrangement 74 may further comprise a plastic sheet, for example a film, on the top and/or a film wrapped around a part of the pallet and all aforementioned layers. Figure 6B schematically represents a side view of a cross-section along the axis B-B' of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 6A.

The arrangement 74 comprises two layers of four times five, i.e., twenty vertically positioned packaged reels of film 611. Each packaged reel of film 611 comprises a reel of film comprising an elongated substantially rigid tubular core 622 and a roll of film 633 wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface there between. The roll of film 633 is positioned so that a portion of said core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film 633. The extensions past the roll of film 633 define a first extended portion (e.g. 641, 643) of the core and a second extended portion (e.g. 642, 644) of the core. Each packaged reel of film 611 comprises a first annular plate (e.g. 651, 653) provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film 633 and a second annular plate (e.g. 652, 654) provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film 633. As illustrated in Figure 6B, the opening of the first annular plate 651 fittingly receives the first extended portion 641 and the opening of the second annular plate 652 fittingly receives the second extended portion 642. The arrangement 74 further comprises a plate 655 provided at the bottom of the first layer 612 of the vertically positioned reels of film 611, a plate 656 provided between the first layer 612 and the second layer 613 of the vertically positioned reels of film 611 and a plate 657 provided at the top of the second layer 613 of the vertically positioned reels of film 611. The plates 655, 656, 657 advantageously increase the stability of the arrangement 74. Each plate preferably comprises twenty openings. The plates 655, 656, 657 are provided at the annular plates of the packaged reels of film 611. The openings 658 of plate 655 receive the first extended portions 641 of the twenty vertically positioned reels of film 611 of the first layer 612. The openings 659 of plate 656 receive the second extended portions 642 of the twenty vertically positioned reels of film 611 of the first layer 612 and the first extended portions 643 of the twenty vertically positioned reels of film 611 of the second layer 613. The openings 660 of plate 657 receive the second extended portions 644 of the twenty vertically positioned reels of film 611 of the second layer 613.

It will be understood by the skilled man that each packaged reel of film may further comprise a sleeve enclosing the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally at least part of the annular plate to keep the annular plate provided at the annular surface of the roll of film, for example as shown in figure 1C and ID. Furthermore, the sleeve may enclose at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core. Furthermore, the sleeve may enclose completely the first extended portion of the core and/or completely the second extended portion of the core.

Referring to Figure 7, an arrangement 75 is shown comprising four times five, i.e., twenty vertically positioned reels of film 711. Each reel of film 711 comprises an elongated tubular core and a roll of film 730 wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface (not shown) on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface 732 on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface 733 there between. The roll of film 730 is positioned so that a portion of said core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film 730. The extensions past the roll of film 730 define a first extended portion (not shown) of the core and a second extended portion 742 of the core. The arrangement 75 further comprises a first plate 755 provided at the first annular surfaces (not shown) of the roll of film 730 and a second plate 756 provided at the second annular surfaces 732 of the rolls of film 730. The first plate 755 comprises twenty openings (not shown) receiving the first extended portions of the twenty reels of film 711 and the second plate 756 comprises twenty openings 759 receiving the second extended portions 742 of the twenty reels of film 711.

Referring to Figure 8, an arrangement 76 is shown comprising from the bottom to the top: a pallet 84; a plastic bottom sheet 891 ; a corrugated cardboard plate 892; a corrugated cardboard plate 855 with twenty openings 859; a first layer 812 of four times five, i.e., twenty vertically positioned reels of film 811 ; a corrugated cardboard plate 856 with twenty openings 860; a corrugated cardboard plate 893; a corrugated cardboard plate 857 with twenty openings 861 ; a second layer 813 of four times five, i.e., twenty vertically positioned reels of film 811 ; a corrugated cardboard plate 858 with twenty openings 862; and a corrugated cardboard plate 894.

The arrangement 76 comprises two layers of four times five, i.e., twenty vertically positioned reels of film 811. Each reel of film 811 comprises an elongated tubular core 822 and a roll of film 833 wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface there between. The roll of film 833 is positioned so that a portion of said core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film 833. The extensions past the roll of film 833 define a first extended portion (e.g. 841, 843) of the core and a second extended portion (e.g. 842, 844) of the core. The arrangement 76 further comprises a plate 855 comprising twenty openings 859 provided at the first annular surfaces of the first layer 812 of the twenty rolls of film 833, a plate 856 comprising twenty openings 860 provided at the second annular surfaces of the first layer 812 of the twenty rolls of film 833, a plate 857 comprising twenty openings 861 provided at the first annular surfaces of the second layer 813 of the twenty rolls of film 833, and a plate 858 comprising twenty openings 862 provided at the second annular surfaces of the second layer 813 of the twenty rolls of film 833.

Each plate 855, 856, 857, 858 preferably comprises twenty openings. The openings 859 of plate 855 receive the first extended portions 841 of the twenty vertically positioned reels of film 811 of the first layer 812. The openings 860 of plate 856 receive the second extended portions 842 of the twenty vertically positioned reels of film 811 of the first layer 812. The openings 861 of plate 857 receive the first extended portions 843 of the twenty vertically positioned reels of film 811 of the second layer 813. The openings 862 of plate 858 receive the second extended portions 844 of the twenty vertically positioned reels of film 811 of the second layer 813.

The arrangement 74 further comprises a plate 892 provided at the bottom of the plate 855, a plate 893 provided at the top of plate 856 and at the bottom of plate 857 and a plate 894 provided at the top of plate 858. The plates 892, 893 and 894 advantageously increase the stability of the arrangement 74.

It will be understood that the arrangement may comprise one or more, for example, two, three, four or more annular plates at the first and second extended portion of the core of each reel of film.

It will be understood by the skilled man that each reel of film of the arrangements of Figures 6, 7 or 8 may further comprise a sleeve enclosing the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally at least part of the annular surface of the roll of film. Furthermore, the sleeve may enclose at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core. Furthermore, the sleeve may enclose completely the first extended portion of the core and/or completely the second extended portion of the core.

Figure 9A schematically represents a top or bottom view of a protective plate 950 of the packaged reel of film illustrated in Figure 9B. The annular plate 951, 952 comprises an opening 958, 959. The annular plate 951, 952 comprises eight flaps 953, 955 extending radially outwardly from the annular plate 951, 952. The flaps 953, 955 can be folded along the circumference 954 of the annular plate 951, 952. The flaps 953, 955 can also be folded along part 956 of a circular line concentric with the annular plate 951, 952. The flaps 953, 955 are positioned at regular intervals around the annular plate 951, 952. The eight flaps 953, 955 have substantially similar shape and size. The circumference 954 of the annular plate 951, 952 is modified (e.g. perforated) to facilitate folding. Each flap 953, 955 is modified (e.g. perforated) along part of a circular line concentric with the annular plate.

Figure 9B schematically represents a side view of a cross-section along the longitudinal axis A-A' of a packaged reel of film 910 for bale applications. The packaged reel of film 910 comprises a first annular plate 951 provided at the first annular surface 931 of the roll of film 93 and a second annular plate 952 provided at the second annular surface 932 of the roll of film 93. The opening 958 of the first annular plate 951 fittingly receives the first extended portion 941 of the core 92 and the opening 959 of the second annular plate 952 fittingly receives the second extended portion 942 of the core 92. The first annular plate 951 comprises eight flaps 953 which are folded along the circumference 934 of the first annular surface 931 to overlap the cylindrical outer surface 933 on one end of the roll of film 93. The second annular plate 952 also comprises eight flaps 955 which are folded along the circumference 936 of the second annular surface 932 to cover the cylindrical outer surface 933 on the other end of the roll of film 93. Each flap 953, 955 is provided at the cylindrical outer surface 933 on an end of the roll of film by means of a dot of glue.

Figure 9C schematically represents a side view of a cross-section along the longitudinal axis A-A' of a packaged reel of film 911 for bale applications. The packaged reel of film 911 comprises a first annular plate 951 provided at the first annular surface 931 of the roll of film 93 and a second annular plate 952 provided at the second annular surface 932 of the roll of film 93. The opening 958 of the first annular plate 951 receives the first extended portion 941 of the core 92 and the opening 959 of the second annular plate 952 receives the second extended portion 942 of the core 92. The first annular plate 951 comprises eight first flaps 953 which are folded along the circumference 934 of the first annular surface 931 to overlap the cylindrical outer surface 933 on one end of the roll of film 93. The second annular plate 952 also comprises eight second flaps 955 which are folded along the circumference 936 of the second annular surface 932 to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface 933 on the other end of the roll of film 93. The flaps 953, 955 are provided at the cylindrical outer surface 933 on an end of the roll of film by means of a sleeve 96. The sleeve 96 encloses the cylindrical outer surface 933 of the roll of film, the first flaps 953, the second flaps 955, and part of the first annular plate 951 and part of the second annular plate 952.

Figure 9D schematically represents the packaged reel of film 910 (of which a side view of a cross- section along the longitudinal axis A-A' is shown in Figure 9B) according to an embodiment of the invention. The packaged reel of film 910 comprises a first annular plate 951 provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film. The first annular plate 951 comprises eight flaps 953 which are folded along the circumference of the first annular surface and overlap the cylindrical outer surface 933 on one end of the roll of film. The opening of the first annular plate 951 receives the first extended portion 941 of the core. The packaged reel of film 910 also comprises a second annular plate 952 provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film. The second annular plate 952 comprises eight flaps 955 which are folded along the circumference of the first annular surface and overlap the cylindrical outer surface 933 on one end of the roll of film. The packaged reel of film 910 may further comprise a sleeve enclosing the cylindrical outer surface 933, (part of) the flaps 953 and/or (part of) the flaps 955, and (part of) the first annular plate 951 and/or (part of) the second annular plate 952, and (part of) the first extended portion 941 of the core and/or (part of) the second extended portion of the core.

Figure 10 schematically represents a side view of a cross-section along the longitudinal axis A-A' of a packaged reel of film 1. The packaged reel of film 1 comprises a reel of film 1011 comprising an elongated tubular core 102 defining a longitudinal axis A-A'. The reel of film 1011 further comprises a roll of film 103 wound on the core 102 thereby defining a first annular surface 1031 on one end of the roll of film 103, a second annular surface 1032 on the other end of the roll of film 103, and a cylindrical outer surface 1033 therebetween. The roll of film 103 is positioned on the core 102 so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film 103, thereby defining a first extended portion 1041 on one end of the core 102 and a second extended portion 1042 on the other end of the core 102. The packaged reel of film 1 comprises a first annular plate 1051 provided at the first annular surface 1031 of the roll of film 103 and a second annular plate 1052 provided at the second annular surface 1032 of the roll of film 103. The opening 1058 of the first annular plate 1051 fittingly receives the first extended portion 1041 of the core 102 and the opening 1059 of the second annular plate 1052 fittingly receives the second extended portion 1042 of the core 102. The packaged reel of film 1 further comprises a first sleeve 1061, a second sleeve 1062, and a third sleeve 1063. The first sleeve 1061 encloses the cylindrical outer surface 1033 on one end of the roll of film 103. The first sleeve 1061 does not extend beyond the plane defined by the outer surface of the first annular plate 951. The second sleeve 1062 encloses the cylindrical outer surface 1033 on the other end of the roll of film 103. The second sleeve 1063 does not extend beyond the plane defined by the outer surface of the second annular plate 952. The third sleeve 1063 encloses the cylindrical outer surface 1033 of the roll of film 103, the first sleeve 1061, the second sleeve 1062, and part of the first annular plate 1051 and part of the second annular plate 1052. As shown in Figure 10, the first sleeve 1061 and the second sleeve 1062 may be substantially made from corrugated cardboard. The first sleeve 1061 and the second sleeve 1062 may be substantially made from any shock-absorbing material such as paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, or bubble wrap. As shown in Figure 10, the third sleeve 1063 may be substantially made from a heat-shrinkable film.

Figure 11 schematically represents a side view of a cross-section along the longitudinal axis A-A' of a packaged reel of film 1. The packaged reel of film 1 comprises a reel of film 1111 comprising an elongated tubular core 112 defining a longitudinal axis A-A'. The reel of film 1111 further comprises a roll of film 113 wound on the core 112 thereby defining a first annular surface 1131 on one end of the roll of film 113, a second annular surface 1132 on the other end of the roll of film 113, and a cylindrical outer surface 1133 therebetween. The roll of film 113 is positioned on the core 112 so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film 113, thereby defining a first extended portion 1141 on one end of the core 112 and a second extended portion 1142 on the other end of the core 112. The packaged reel of film 1 comprises a first annular plate 1151 provided at the first annular surface 1131 of the roll of film 113 and a second annular plate 1152 provided at the second annular surface 1132 of the roll of film 113. The opening 1158 of the first annular plate 1151 fittingly receives the first extended portion 1141 of the core 112. The opening 1159 of the second annular plate 1152 fittingly receives the second extended portion 1142 of the core 112.

The packaged reel of film 1 further comprises a first sleeve 1161, a second sleeve 1162, and a third sleeve 1163. The first sleeve 1161 encloses cylindrical outer surface 1133 on one end of the roll of film 113 and overlaps with part of the first annular plate 1151. The second sleeve 1162 encloses the cylindrical outer surface 1133 on the other end of the roll of film 113 and overlaps with part of the second annular plate 1152. The third sleeve 1163 encloses the cylindrical outer surface 1133 of the roll of film 113, the first sleeve 1161, the second sleeve 1162, part of the first annular plate 1151, and part of the second annular plate 1152.

As shown in Figure 11, the first sleeve 1161 and the second sleeve 1162 may be substantially made from corrugated cardboard. The first sleeve 1061 and the second sleeve 1062 may be substantially made from any shock-absorbing material such as paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, or bubble wrap. As shown in Figure 11, the third sleeve 1163 may be substantially made from a heat- shrinkable film.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only.

The above aspects and embodiments are further supported by the following non- limiting examples. EXAMPLES

Example 1: Arrangement 1: two layers of vertically stacked reels of film of 750mm with annular plates and a sleeve

An arrangement comprising two layers of four times five, i.e. twenty, vertically stacked reels of film of 750 mm height with annular plates and a sleeve was prepared as follows.

A pallet of 1200mm x 960mm was perfectly positioned and blocked. The upper surface of the pallet was completely covered with a plastic sheet. On the plastic sheet, a first corrugated cardboard plate of 1180mm x 940mm was placed. The corrugated cardboard plate had two corrugated layers and rounded corners with a radius of 120mm. The corrugated cardboard plate was perfectly positioned in the middle of the pallet. On the corrugated cardboard plate, a first packaged reel of film was vertically placed in the corner and subsequently one row of five vertically positioned packaged reels of films was placed along the front side (1200 mm side) of the pallet. Each packaged reel of film had a diameter of about 239mm. The position of the packaged reels of film was determined by a distance of 240mm between the centres of each pair of packaged reels of film. Subsequently, a second, third and fourth row of each five vertically positioned packaged reels of film were placed on the corrugated cardboard plate.

Each packaged reel of film comprised an elongated tubular cardboard core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface there between. The roll of film was positioned on the core so that a portion of said core extended outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion of the core and a second extended portion of the core. The arrangement further comprised a first corrugated cardboard annular plate provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and a second corrugated cardboard annular plate provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film. The opening of the first annular plate fittingly received the first extended portion of the core and the opening of the second annular plate fittingly received the second extended portion of the core. Each packaged reel of film further comprised a sleeve which enclosed the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, a part of the first annular plate and a part of the second annular plate and which kept the first annular plate provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and the second annular plate provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film, thereby helping the association between the annular plates and the extended portions. Each packaged reel of film was placed in the same way, i.e., with its label 45 degrees counter-clockwise with respect to the front side (1200 mm side) of the pallet. The packaged reels of film were placed next to each other and did not protrude from the pallet. The first corrugated cardboard plate did not protrude from the packaged reels of film.

Next, a second corrugated cardboard plate of 1180mm x 940mm was perfectly positioned in the centre on the extended portions and annular plates. The corrugated cardboard plate had two corrugated layers and rounded corners with a radius of 120mm. On this corrugated cardboard plate, a second layer of vertically positioned packaged reels of film was placed in the same way as described for the first layer. The packaged reels of film were the same as described for the first layer. A third corrugated cardboard plate of 1180mm x 940mm was again perfectly positioned in the centre on the extended portions and annular plates of the second layer of vertically positioned packaged reels of film. The corrugated cardboard plate had two corrugated layers and rounded corners with a radius of 120mm.

Subsequently, in the stretch wrapper a plastic top sheet was put on top of the arrangement and a stretch film was wrapped around the arrangement.

The thus-obtained arrangement comprised the following superimposed layers from the top to the bottom: a pallet; a plastic sheet; a first corrugated cardboard plate; a first layer of four times five, i.e. twenty, vertically positioned packaged reels of film; a second corrugated cardboard plate; a second layer of four times five, i.e. twenty, vertically positioned packaged reels of film; a third cardboard plate and a plastic sheet. The arrangement advantageously comprised a total of forty reels of film.

Arrangement la

The core had an outer diameter of 95.5 mm and the height of the extended portion was about 6 mm on both ends. The annular plates had an inner diameter of 95.0 mm, an outer diameter of 237 mm and had a B/C flute with a thickness of about 5 mm in uncompressed state. The uncovered extended portion of about 1 mm on both ends of all reels of film was at least partly pushed into the corrugated cardboard plate.

Arrangement lb The core had an outer diameter of 95.5mm and an extended portion of about 5 mm on both ends. The annular plates had an inner diameter of 95.0 mm, an outer diameter of 238.5 mm and had a C flute with a thickness of about 3 mm in uncompressed state. The uncovered extended portion of about 2 mm on both ends of all reels of film was at least partly pushed into the corrugated cardboard plate.

Arrangement lc

The corrugated cardboard plate was a plate with twenty openings having a diameter of about 104 mm. The center of the openings were positioned on the same position of the center of the cores of the packaged reels of film, the distance between the centers of the openings was 240mm. The core had an outer diameter of 95.5mm and an extended portion of about 7 mm on both ends. The annular plate had an inner diameter of 94.5 mm, an outer diameter of 240.0 mm and had a C flute with a thickness of about 3 mm in uncompressed state. The uncovered extended portion of about 4mm on both ends of all reels of film fell into the openings of the corrugated cardboard plates.

Comparative example 1 : two layers of vertically stacked reels of film of 750mm with cardboard box

An arrangement comprising two layers of four times four, i.e. sixteen, vertically stacked cardboard boxes comprising reels of film of 750 mm height was prepared as follows.

A pallet of 1200mm x 1000 mm was perfectly positioned and blocked. The upper surface of the pallet was completely covered with a plastic sheet. On the plastic sheet, a first corrugated cardboard plate of 960 mm x 960 mm was placed. The corrugated cardboard plate had one corrugated layer. The corrugated cardboard plate was perfectly positioned in the middle of the pallet. On the corrugated cardboard plate , a first box of about 250 mm x about 250 mm was vertically placed 100 mm away from the corner along the front side (1200 mm) of the pallet and subsequently one row of four vertically positioned boxes was placed along the front side (1200 mm side) of the pallet. The reels in the boxes had a diameter of about 239 mm. The boxes were positioned next to one another on the pallet. Subsequently, a second, third and fourth row of each four vertically positioned boxes were placed on the corrugated cardboard plate. Next, a second corrugated cardboard plate of 960 mm x 960 mm was perfectly positioned in the centre on top of the boxes of the first layer. The corrugated cardboard plate had one corrugated layer. On this corrugated cardboard plate, a second layer of vertically positioned boxes was placed in the same way as described for the first layer. A third corrugated cardboard plate of 960 mm x 960 mm was again perfectly positioned in the centre on top of the boxes of the second layer. The corrugated cardboard plate had one corrugated layer.

Subsequently, in the stretch wrapper a plastic top sheet was put on top of the arrangement and a stretch film was wrapped around the arrangement. The thus-obtained arrangement comprised the following superimposed layers from the top to the bottom: a pallet; a plastic sheet, a first corrugated cardboard plate, a first layer of four times four, i.e. sixteen, vertically positioned boxes; a second corrugated cardboard plate, a second layer of four times four, i.e. sixteen, vertically positioned boxes, a third corrugated cardboard plate and a plastic sheet. The comparative arrangement comprised in total thirty-two reels of film and hence, per pallet the comparative arrangement comprised eight reels of film less than the arrangement illustrating the present invention as described in Example 1.

Importantly, pallets with a width of 1200mm can be positioned two near each other in a lorry. In order to get on a pallet a layer of twenty reels with a box, the pallet needs to have a width of 1250mm. Pallets of 1250mm can not be placed next to each other in the lorry because the pallets are too wide.

Conclusively, an arrangement illustrating the present invention advantageously increases the number of reels of film which can be stacked on a pallet, thereby reducing the cost of storage and/or transportation of the reels of film.

To avoid crushed boxes, the stretch film can only be wrapped around the comparative arrangement with a low stretch percentage, low tension and with a minimal number of layers. Therefore, besides the cardboard boxes, the additional cardboard plates are needed to stabilize the loaded pallet.

An arrangement illustrating the present invention can be wrapped with a stretch film with a high stretch percentage, high tension and with as many layers as needed to stabilize the pallet.

Example 2: Arrangement 2: three layers of vertically stacked rolls of 500mm with annular plates

An arrangement comprising three layers of four times four, i.e. sixteen, vertically stacked packaged reels of film of 500mm height with annular plates and without a sleeve was prepared as follows.

A pallet of 1040x1040 mm was perfectly positioned and blocked. The upper surface of the pallet was completely covered with a plastic sheet. On the plastic sheet, a first corrugated cardboard plate of 1020x1020 mm was placed. The corrugated cardboard plate had one corrugated layer and rounded corners with a radius of 130 mm. The corrugated cardboard plate was perfectly positioned in the middle of the pallet. On the corrugated cardboard plate, a first packaged reel of film was vertically placed in the corner and one row of four vertically positioned packaged reels of films was placed. Each packaged reel of film had a diameter of about 259mm. The position of the packaged reels of film was determined by a distance of 260 mm between the centres of each pair of packaged reels of film. Subsequently, a second, third and fourth row of each four vertically positioned packaged reels of film were placed on the corrugated cardboard plate. Each packaged reel of film comprised an elongated tubular cardboard core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface there between. The roll of film was positioned so that a portion of said core extended outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion of the core and a second extended portion of the core. The packaged reel of film further comprised a first corrugated cardboard annular plate provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and a second corrugated cardboard annular plate provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film. The opening of the first annular plate fittingly received the first extended portion of the core and the opening of the second annular plate fittingly received the second extended portion of the core.

The packaged reels of film were placed next to each other and did not protrude from the pallet. The first corrugated cardboard plate did not protrude from the packaged reels of film.

Next, a second corrugated cardboard plate of 1020x1020 mm was perfectly positioned in the centre on the extended portions and annular plates. On the second corrugated cardboard plate, a second layer of vertically positioned packaged reels of film was placed in the same way as described for the first layer. The packaged reels of film were the same as described for the first layer. A third corrugated cardboard plate of 1020x1020 mm was again perfectly positioned in the centre on the extended portions and annular plates of the second layer of vertically positioned packaged reels of film. On the third corrugated cardboard plate, a third layer of vertically positioned packaged reels of film was placed in the same way as described for the first layer. The packaged reels of film were the same as described for the first layer. A forth corrugated cardboard plate of 1020x1020 mm was again perfectly positioned in the centre on the extended portions and annular plates of the third layer of vertically positioned packaged reels of film. The corrugated cardboard plates had one corrugated layer and rounded corners with a radius of 130 mm.

The thus-obtained arrangement comprised the following superimposed layers from the top to the bottom: a pallet; a plastic sheet; a first corrugated cardboard plate; a first layer of four times four, i.e. sixteen, vertically positioned packaged reels of film; a second corrugated cardboard plate; a second layer of four times four, i.e. sixteen, vertically positioned packaged reels of film; a third corrugated cardboard plate, a third layer of four times four, i.e. sixteen, vertically positioned packaged reels of film; a forth corrugated cardboard plate and a plastic sheet. The arrangement advantageously comprised a total of forty eight packaged reels of film. The core had an outer diameter of 101.0 mm and an extended portion of about 5 mm on both ends. The annular plates had an inner diameter of 101.0 mm, an outer diameter of 256 mm and had a B/C flute with a thickness of about 5 mm in uncompressed state. A substantially flat surface was formed by the extended portions and the annular plates.

Example 3: Arrangement 3: four layers of horizontally stacked reels of film of 1280mm with annular plates and sleeves

An arrangement comprising four layers of five horizontally stacked packaged reels of film of 1280mm height with annular plates and a sleeve was prepared as follows.

A pallet of 1300mm x 1 125mm was perfectly positioned and blocked. The upper surface of the pallet was completely covered with a plastic sheet. On the plastic sheet, three support members of 1040mm x 125mm x 20mm were positioned so that the middle of the support member coincides with the middle of the wooden blocks of the pallet and the support members are in the middle of the pallet in the transversal direction, i.e., 43 mm spaced from both outer sides of the pallet. A first packaged reel of film was horizontally placed in the middle support member, then the adjacent packaged reels of film were horizontally placed in the support members and subsequently, the outer packaged reels of film were horizontally placed in the support members. Each packaged reel of film had a diameter of about 224mm. The position of the packaged reels of film was determined by a distance of 224mm between the centres of each pair of reels of film.

Each packaged reel of film comprised an elongated tubular cardboard core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface there between. The roll of film was positioned on the core so that a portion of said core extended outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion of the core and a second extended portion of the core. The arrangement further comprised a first corrugated cardboard annular plate provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and a second corrugated cardboard annular plate provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film. The opening of the first annular plate received the first extended portion of the core and the opening of the second annular plate received the second extended portion of the core.

Each packaged reel of film further comprised a sleeve which enclosed the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, a part of the first annular plate and a part of the second annular plate and which kept the first annular plate provided at the first annular surface of the roll of film and the second annular plate provided at the second annular surface of the roll of film.

The packaged reels of film with a core length of 1295mm were positioned in the middle of the 1300mm pallet length and hence, did not protrude the pallet. Each packaged reel of film was placed in the same way, i.e., with its label 45 degrees to the top with respect to the front side (1300mm side) of the pallet. The packaged reels of film were placed next to each other and did not protrude from the pallet. The support members were honeycomb cardboard support members.

Next, three support members of 1040mm x 75mm x 40mm were positioned so that the middle of the support member coincides with the middle of the wooden blocks of the pallet and the support members are in the middle of the pallet in the transversal direction, i.e., 43 mm spaced from both outer sides of the pallet. Subsequently, a second layer of five horizontally positioned packaged reels of film was placed in the same way as described for the first layer. These steps of positioning three middle support members and five horizontally positioned reels of film was repeated two more times so as to obtain twenty, i.e. four layers of five, horizontally positioned packaged reels of film. Subsequently, three support members of 1040mm x 125mm x 20mm were positioned so that the middle of the support member coincides with the middle of the wooden blocks of the pallet and the support members are in the middle of the pallet in the transversal direction, i.e., 43 mm spaced from both outer sides of the pallet.

Subsequently, in the stretch wrapper a plastic top sheet was put on top of the arrangement and a stretch film was stretched around the arrangement.

The thus-obtained arrangement comprised the following layers from the top to the bottom: a pallet; a plastic sheet; three bottom support members; a first layer of five horizontally positioned packaged reels of film; three middle support members; a second layer of five horizontally positioned packaged reels of film; three middle support members; a third layer of five horizontally positioned packaged reels of film; three middle support members; a fourth layer of five horizontally positioned packaged reels of film; three top support members and a plastic sheet. The arrangement advantageously comprised a total of twenty packaged reels of film. The arrangement advantageously protected the packaged reels of film, in particular the rolls of film and their ends against mechanical damage, heating up, dust and UV radiation.

Claims

1. A packaged reel of film (1) for bale applications comprising:

a reel of film (11) comprising an elongated tubular core (2) and a roll of film (3) wound on the core (2), thereby defining a first annular surface (31) on one end of the roll of film (3), a second annular surface (32) on the other end of the roll of film (3), and a cylindrical outer surface (33) therebetween, the roll of film (3) being positioned so that a portion (41, 42) of the core (2) extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film (3), thereby defining a first extended portion (41) on one end of the core (2) and a second extended portion (42) on the other end of the core (2), and

- a first annular plate (51) provided at the first annular surface (31) of the roll of film (3) and/or a second annular plate (52) provided at the second annular surface (32) of the roll of film (3), wherein the opening (58) of the first annular plate (51) receives the first extended portion (41) of the core (2) and/or the opening (59) of the second annular plate (52) receives the second extended portion (42) of the core (2).

2. The packaged reel of film according to claim 1, wherein the opening (58) of the first annular plate (51) fittingly receives the first extended portion (41) of the core (2) and/or the opening (59) of the second annular plate (52) fittingly receives the second extended portion (42) of the core (2).

3. The packaged reel of film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first annular plate further comprises one or more flaps extending radially outwardly from the first annular plate, and the flaps are folded along the circumference of the first annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and/or the second annular plate further comprises on or more flaps extending radially outwardly of the second annular plate, and the flaps are folded along the circumference of the second annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film.

4. The packaged reel of film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first annular plate further comprises at least four flaps extending radially outwardly from the first annular plate, and the at least four flaps are folded along the circumference of the first annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and/or the second annular plate further comprises at least four flaps extending radially outwardly of the second annular plate, and the at least four flaps are folded along the circumference of the second annular surface of the roll of film to cover at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film.

5. The packaged reel of film according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the packaged reel of film further comprises a first sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on one end of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate and/or a second sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface on the other end of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the second annular plate.

6. The packaged reel of film according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the packaged reel of film (1) further comprises a sleeve (6) enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface (33) of the roll of film (3) and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular plate (51) and/or at least part of the second annular plate (52) and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion (41) of the core (2) and/or at least part of the second extended portion (42) of the core (2).

7. An arrangement comprising two or more packaged reels of film according to any one of claims 1 to 6, such as two or more vertically or horizontally positioned packaged reels of film.

8. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the arrangement comprises two or more vertically positioned packaged reels of film.

9. The arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the arrangement further comprises a first plate (92) provided at the first annular plates and/or at the first extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film and/or a second plate (93) provided at the second annular plates and/or at the second extended portions of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

10. The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the first plate (655) comprises two or more openings (658) and/or the second plate (656) comprises two or more openings (659), and wherein the two or more openings (658) of the first plate (655) receive the first extended portions (641) of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film (611) and/or the two or more openings (659) of the second plate (656) receive the second extended portions (642) of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film (611).

11. An arrangement (75) comprising:

two or more reels of film (711), said reels of film (711) comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film (730) wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface (731) on one end of the roll of film (730), a second annular surface (732) on the other end of the roll of film (730), and a cylindrical outer surface (733) therebetween, the roll of film (730) being positioned so that a portion of said core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film (730), thereby defining a first extended portion (741) on one end of the core and a second extended portion (742) on the other end of the core, a first plate (755) comprising two or more openings (758) provided at the first annular surfaces (731) of the two or more rolls of film (730) and/or a second plate (756) comprising two or more openings (759) provided at the second annular surfaces (732) of the two or more rolls of film (730), wherein the two or more openings (758) of the first plate (755) receive the first extended portions (741) of the two or more reels of film (711) and/or the two or more openings (759) of the second plate (756) receive the second extended portions (742) of the two or more reels of film (711).

12. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein each reel of film of the two or more reels of film further comprises a sleeve enclosing at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film and optionally enclosing at least part of the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or at least part of the second annular surface of the roll of film and optionally further enclosing at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

13. The arrangement according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the arrangement comprises two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

14. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement further comprises a third plate (892) provided at the first plate (855) with two or more openings (859) and/or at the first extended portions (841) of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film (811) and/or a fourth plate (893) provided at the second plate (856) with two or more openings (860) and/or at the second extended portions (842) of the cores of the two or more vertically positioned reels of film (811).

15. The arrangement according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the arrangement comprises two or more layers of two or more vertically positioned reels of film.

16. The arrangement according to any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the arrangement further comprises a base member (81) and whereby the two or more reels of film are arranged on the base member (81), preferably a pallet and optionally a film (99) wrapped around the two or more packaged reels of film (511) and at least part of the base member (81).

17. The packaged reel of film according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or the arrangement according to any one of claims 7 to 16, wherein the annular plate or plate comprising two or more openings indicates the winding direction of the film and/or wherein the annular plate, plate or plate comprising two or more openings is substantially made of a recyclable material, preferably corrugated cardboard, and/or is reusable.

18. The packaged reel of film according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or claim 17, or the arrangement according to any one of claims 7 to 17, wherein at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core is modified, preferably coloured.

19. A method for protecting a reel of film for bale applications, said method comprises the steps of: providing a reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface therebetween, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core,

providing a first annular plate at the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or providing a second annular plate at the second annular surface of the roll of film, wherein the opening of the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the opening of the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core, and modifying, preferably colouring, at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.

20. A method for protecting a reel of film for bale applications, said method comprises the steps of: providing a reel of film comprising an elongated tubular core and a roll of film wound on the core, thereby defining a first annular surface on one end of the roll of film, a second annular surface on the other end of the roll of film, and a cylindrical outer surface therebetween, the roll of film being positioned so that a portion of the core extends outwardly on each end past the roll of film, thereby defining a first extended portion on one end of the core and a second extended portion on the other end of the core,

providing a first annular plate at the first annular surface of the roll of film and/or providing a second annular plate at the second annular surface of the roll of film, wherein the opening of the first annular plate receives the first extended portion of the core and/or the opening of the second annular plate receives the second extended portion of the core, and enclosing with a sleeve at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the roll of film, and at least part of the first annular plate and/or at least part of the second annular plate, and optionally at least part of the first extended portion of the core and/or at least part of the second extended portion of the core.