DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] FIG. 1 depicts a plastic connector 10 for beginning a plastic stretch wrap operation in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. A number of variations are depicted along with the basic connector in FIG. 1.

[0024] Connector 10 is configured to have two arms 1, 3 in a rough V-shape, with an interior apex 2 therebetween. A hook structure 4 extends from the second arm 3. In the first embodiment, connector 10 is preferably made of a low density plastic, approximately {fraction (1/10)} of an inch thick. The connector can be formed by cutting from or stamping from a sheet of low density plastic or by an injection molding process. The overall structure of connector 10 is flexible, both laterally, and longitudinally. As a result, connector 10 can be formed to conform to the size and shape of the articles (to be packaged) to which it is to be connected.

[0025] The two arms 1, 3 of the V-shaped structure are used to hold the end of the plastic film (not shown) when taken from a roll. In one embodiment, hook structure 4 is designed to attach to a wooden pallet holding the packages to be wrapped. In an embodiment that is configured specifically for use with wooden pallets, arm 1 is approximately 3 inches in length, arm 3 is approximately 2{fraction (l/2)} inches in length, and hook structure 4 has approximately a 1 inch inside radius. As previously indicated, the plastic constituting connector 10 is low density, easily cut or stamped from a sheet. The thickness of the plastic is approximately {fraction (1/10)} inch.

[0026] The size of hook structure 4 is directed to easily fitting around the floor pieces of a standard wooden pallet. A fairly wide range of pallet sizes and configurations can be accommodated by the structure of connector 10 as depicted in FIG. 1. However, larger pallets or different configurations of pallets can be accommodated by altering the size and even shape of hook structure 4.

[0027] The V-shaped structure constituted by arms 1, 3 is crucial in that the end of the plastic as it is taken from the roll is inserted between the two arms and held by the interior apex 2. The full thickness of the plastic roll is pulled together, inserted firmly into interior apex 2 and held between arms 1, 3. Since the plastic film is easily compressible and the interior apex 2 flexible, a firm friction connection between the plastic film and the interior apex can be achieved very easily simply by bunching the entire width of the plastic film at its leading end and inserting the compressed plastic forcefully between arms 1, 3, forcing them slightly further apart. The tendency of the plastic film to expand and the arms 1, 3 to return to their original position effects a very strong connection between connector 10 and the plastic film from the roll.

[0028] In operation, the operator of the plastic film wrapping system pulls the leading edge of the plastic film from the roll of plastic, bunch the end together and insert it between arms 1, 3. Then the operator need only hook connector 10 to a suitable attachment point on the package to be wrapped, or preferably to the pallet supporting the package. Tension is maintained as the plastic is unrolled and attached to an appropriate point using connector 10. Once this has been done, the normal wrapping operation can proceed without delay or other inconvenience. The operator need not waste time and energy tying the end of the plastic film to either the pallet or the package being wrapped. As a result, a more secure connection is made to the package/pallet combination, and far less energy is expended in making the connection. The rest of the wrapping operation proceeds more quickly since tension is not lost in an awkward tying operation. But rather, tension is maintained by the rapid unrolling of the plastic film as the connector is placed on the pallet/package arrangement, and the remainder of the wrapping process proceeds immediately.

[0029] A wide variety of plastic films and rolls can be accommodated by making minor modifications in the connector structure 10 of FIG. 1. For example, interior apex 2 can be increased in size to conform with the dotted line in FIG. 1, depicting concavity 5. Such a configuration allows a greater mass of plastic film to be held at interior apex 2, thereby accommodating much wider rolls of plastic film, or heavier plastic wrapping material. As wider rolls of plastic film (or heavier plastic) are used, the size of concavity 5 can be increased, as can the size of arms 1, 3.

[0030] It should be noted that while standard plastic wrapping film is used in a number of embodiments of the present invention, thicker wrapping plastic can also be used with appropriate adjustments of the size of arms 1, 3 and concavity 5. Further, since the connector 10 is to be expended as a part of the wrapping of the package, additional techniques can be used to hold the plastic permanently between arms 1, 3.

[0031] While the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is made of a low density plastic, any appropriate material can be used. Very often such materials are dictated by the type of plastic film being used for wrapping the package, environmental conditions, specific packing requirements and the size of the package. In some applications, the contact 10 can be made of wood, or even cardboard. Any type of plastic can be suitable, as well as rubber, or even metal. Any weight or material can be selected depending upon the requirements of a particular packing situation.

[0032] Further, hook 4 need not be rounded as depicted in FIG. 1. Rather, the hook structure can be squared, or have multiple sides, for example an hexagonal configuration. Since contact 10 is designed in at least one embodiment to be disposable in that it is shipped with the product, and is expected to be used only once, adhesive can be used to permanently, and more effectively hold the plastic between arms 1, 3. Further, adhesive, such as adhesive pad 8, can be used in the hook structure 4 to better grip either the package or a supporting pallet. Other devices can also be used to better hold both the plastic and the package or its support. For example, serrations 6 can be provided on the interior arms 1, 2 of the V-shaped structure to better grip those plastic films that tend to be tough or slippery. Likewise, teeth can be provided on the interior of the hook structure 10 to better grip either the pallet or the boxes placed thereon.

[0033] Further, connector 10 of the present invention can be made of multiple materials such as a metal framework and plastic teeth. Various types of adhesive can be used, including removable gum.

[0034] While it is expected that the connectors 10 are disposed of by being sent with the wrapped packages, it is also possible that the connectors can be retrieved from the packages and reused by the recipient. In the alternative, the recipient of the packages can send the connectors back to the source for reuse. Because the simplest versions of the connector is a lightweight plastic, the low cost of these items may be such that returning the connectors for reuse is not justified. In the alternative, connectors that are made of more durable or expensive materials can be reused either by the recipient or by the original sender once the connectors have been returned.

[0035] The use of even expensive materials to constitute connector 10 is easily justified through the savings that will be achieved as a result of faster packing operations. The individuals handling the packing operation for plastic film wrapping process will not only carry out the job more quickly and more efficiently but there will be less deterioration due to operator fatigue.

[0036] While a number of embodiments have been presented by way of example, the present invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the present invention encompasses all variations, modifications, adaptations, permutations or embodiments that would occur to one skilled in this technology having been taught the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention should be limited only by the following claims.