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WO-2026096537-A1 - VENTED HOOD FOR PALLETIZED LOADS AND METHOD

WO2026096537A1WO 2026096537 A1WO2026096537 A1WO 2026096537A1WO-2026096537-A1

Abstract

Perforated stretch film tube for forming a perforated stretch film hood. A length of flattened stretch film with a thickness of between.0025 and.0055 or larger is perforated after extrution and wound around a core to form a roll of perforated stretch film tube with a plurality of perforations spaced spaced by at least an inch and having a diameter of less than ½ inch. The roll is loaded into a palletized load hooder machine, opened with gripping arms, sealed and cut at one end to form a pallet hood, and drawn down over the palletized load and released to secure the load to the pallet.

Inventors

  • Bison, Darrel
  • SMITH, STEVEN D.

Assignees

  • Allied Packaging Corporation

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251028
Priority Date
20251028

Claims (20)

  1. CLAIMS
  2. We Claim:
  3. 1. A roll of perforated stretch film tube for use in forming a perforated stretch film hood, the roll of perforated stretch film comprising:
  4. a length of stretch film in a shape of a flattened tube having a tube wall, the length of stretch film coupled to and wound around a spool core, the tube wall having a thickness of between 0.0025 and 0.0055 inches; and
  5. a plurality' of perforations extending through the tube wall along an entire circumference of the tube wall, the plurality of perforations spaced with a gap of at least 1 inch between each perforation of the plurality' of perforations and an adjacent perforation of the plurality of perforations;
  6. wherein each of the plurality' of perforations has a diameter of less than 1/2 inch.
  7. 2. The roll of perforated stretch film tube of claim 1, wherein the gap is a gap of between 1 inch and 4 inches.
  8. 3. The roll of perforated stretch film tube of claim 1. wherein each of the plurality of perforations has a diameter of at least 1/16 inch and the tube wall has a thickness of between.0025 and.003 inches.
  9. 4. The roll of perforated stretch film tube of claim 1, wherein the length of stretch film is formed of a polymer. 5. The roll of perforated stretch film tube of claim 4, wherein the polymer is polyethylene.
  10. 6. A method of securing a palletized load with perforated stretch film, the method comprising:
  11. providing a roll of perforated stretch film in a shape of a flattened tube wound around a spool core, the perforated stretch film comprising a plurality of perforations each having a diameter of at least 1/16 inch extending through the flattened tube of the perforated stretch film at predetermined spacings throughout the roll;
  12. feeding a first end of the perforated stretch film from the roll into a pallet stretch film hood applicator, the pallet stretch film hood applicator configured to pull a length of perforated stretch film tube from the roll of perforated stretch film, open the perforated stretch film tube and position the length of perforated stretch film tube to be received by a plurality of grippers configured receive the length of perforated stretch film hood tube, wherein the plurality of grippers are further configured to stretch the length of perforated stretch film hood tube to match a length and a width of the palletized load;
  13. forming a palletized load hood by sealing and severing a first end of the length of perforated stretch film from the roll by at least one of heat-sealing and ultrasonic welding;
  14. positioning the perforated stretch film hood above the palletized load, the palletized load having a bottom end positioned on a pallet and a top end;
  15. lowering the length of perforated stretch film hood tube from above the palletized load toward the bottom end of the palletized load with the palletized load hood surrounding the palletized load by gripping and stretching the palletized load hood with the plurality of grippers attached to a plurality of movable arms and moving the plurality of movable arms downward from a top of the palletized load to the pallet and releasing respective portions of the palletized load hood as the plurality of moveable arms move downward to cover the palletized load, wherein the first end of the length of perforated stretch film hood tube is configured to be secured at the top end of the palletized load and a second end of the length of perforated stretch film hood tube, distal to the first end, is configured to extend beyond the bottom end of the palletized load; and
  16. removing the plurality of grippers from the length of perforated stretch film hood tube, where the perforated stretch film hood tube contracts to encase the palletized load and the plurality of movable arms reset to their original positions.
  17. 7. The method of securing a palletized load of claim 6, the method further comprising performing an inspection of the palletized load to ensure that the palletized load is securely encased by the palletized load hood on a top and all sides, wherein the inspection is performed by at least one of an automated sensor system inspection and a visual inspection performed by an operator.
  18. 8. The method of securing a palletized load of claim 6, wherein lowering the perforated stretch film extends the second end of the perforated stretch film to a position between the top end of the palletized load and the second end of the palletized load.
  19. 9. The method of securing a palletized load of claim 6, wherein the roll of perforated stretch film hood tube has a tube wall with a thickness of at least 0.0025 inches.
  20. 10. The method of securing a palletized load of claim 6. wherein each of the plurality of perforations of the flattened tube of the perforated stretch film are spaced between 1 inch and 4 inches from each of an adjacent plurality of perforations. 11. A method of creating a roll of perforated stretch film on a spool core for use as a perforated stretch film hood, the method comprising:

Description

VENTED HOOD FOR PALLETIZED LOADS AND METHOD RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U. S. provisional patent application 63/713299. filed October 29, 2024 to Darrel Bison and Steven D. Smith, titled “VENTED HOOD FOR PALLETIZED LOADS AND METHOD”, and U. S. nonprovisional patent application 19/371962, filed October 28, 2025 to Darrel Bison and Steven D. Smith, titled “VENTED HOOD FOR PALLETIZED LOADS AND METHOD”, the entirety of the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by this reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This document relates to a vented hood for palletized loads, a method of manufacture, and a method of use. BACKGROUND [0003] Stretch hooding systems are used in the packaging industry for securing and protecting palletized loads during transportation and storage. They operate by stretching a plastic film over the palletized goods to create a tightly wrapped and sealed unit. This process offers several benefits, including stability, protection from environmental factors such as moisture and dust, and improved handling efficiency. [0004] Certain goods, such as perishable food items, chemicals, and materials requiring controlled storage conditions, need adequate ventilation to prevent spoilage, degradation, or condensation buildup. Conventional stretch hood films are impermeable, restricting airflow and potentially causing excessive heat buildup or moisture retention within the pallet. SUMMARY [0005] Aspects of this disclosure relate to a roll of perforated stretch film tube for use in forming a perforated stretch film hood, the roll of perforated stretch film including length of stretch film in a shape of a flattened tube having a tube wall, the length of stretch film coupled to and wound around a spool core, the tube wall having a thickness of between 0.0025 and 0.0055 inches, and a plurality of perforations extending through the tube wall along an entire circumference of the tube wall, the plurality of perforations spaced with a gap of at least 1 inch between each perforation of the plurality of perforations and an adjacent perforation of the plurality of perforations, wherein each of the plurality of perforations has a diameter of less than 1/2 inch. [0006] Particular embodiments of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. The gap may be a gap of between 1 inch and 4 inches. Each of the plurality of perforations has a diameter of at least 1/16 inch and the tube wall has a thickness of between.0025 and.003 inches. The length of stretch film is formed of a polymer. The polymer is polyethylene. [0007] Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of securing a palletized load with perforated stretch film, the method including providing a roll of perforated stretch film in a shape of a flattened tube wound around a spool core, the perforated stretch film comprising a plurality of perforations each having a diameter of at least 1/16 inch extending through the flattened tube of the perforated stretch film at predetermined spacings throughout the roll, feeding a first end of the perforated stretch film from the roll into a pallet stretch film hood applicator, the pallet stretch film hood applicator configured to pull a length of perforated stretch film tube from the roll of perforated stretch film, open the perforated stretch film tube and position the length of perforated stretch film tube to be received by a plurality of grippers configured receive the length of perforated stretch film hood tube, wherein the plurality of grippers are further configured to stretch the length of perforated stretch film hood tube to match a length and a width of the palletized load, forming a palletized load hood by sealing and severing a first end of the length of perforated stretch film from the roll by at least one of heat-sealing and ultrasonic welding, positioning the perforated stretch film hood above the palletized load, the palletized load having a bottom end positioned on a pallet and a top end, lowering the length of perforated stretch film hood tube from above the palletized load toward the bottom end of the palletized load with the palletized load hood surrounding the palletized load by gripping and stretching the palletized load hood with the plurality of grippers attached to a plurality of movable arms and moving the plurality of movable arms downward from a top of the palletized load to the pallet and releasing respective portions of the palletized load hood as the plurality of moveable arms move downward to cover the palletized load, wherein the first end of the length of perforated stretch film hood tube is configured to be secured at the top end of the palletized load and a second end of the length of perforated stretch film hood tube, distal to the first end, is configured to extend beyond the bottom end of the palletized load, and removing the plurality of grippers from the length of perforated stretch film hood tube, where the perforated str