a pallet base stacked with commodities for wrapping is positioned on a horizontal platform , whereupon the wrapping operation is effected by an l - profile beam carrying a roll of plastic film and rotatable about a vertical axis in such a way as to circle the platform and wind the film around the pallet ; to advantage , the horizontal member of the beam lies below the uncoiling roll of film , passing between the platform and a horizontal bed afforded by the stationary frame of the apparatus , such that with the l - beam set in rotation about the main axis a low center of inertia is achieved .