Patent US3629993A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3629993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for wrapping articles in stretchable film
Assignee: EXACT EQUIPMENT Corp
•
Filing: 1969-05-12
•
Granted: 1971-12-28
•
Expires: 1989-05-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for completing the wrapping of articles in heat-sealable stretchable plastic film. The articles are presented to the apparatus encircled in a tube of film, with portions of the tube projecting beyond each side of the article. These projecting portions are gripped at each side by gripper chains and pulled diagonally downward in a substantially vertical plane to stretch the film tightly about the article. The stretched film is then folded on to the underside of the article and heat sealed.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert H Chant Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:24
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B9/00; B65B9/06; B65B49/00; B65B49/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for wrapping articles in stretchable film, said apparatus including: a. support means for supporting a series of articles partially wrapped in tubular manner with stretchable film the open ends of which project laterally in both directions beyond opposite sides of the articles, b. carrier means for transporting said series of partially wrapped articles in succession along said support means; and c. a film-stretching station, said station including: c-1. a pair of endless gripper chains disposed in vertical relation, one above the other, at each side of said support means; c-2. track means for each of said gripper chains maintaining the upper reach of the lower chain in continuous-interleaved interlocking pressure engagement with the lower reach of the upper chain; c-3. means for driving said gripper chains at a speed related to that of said carrier means; c-4. said gripper chains operating to grip the ends of said projecting portions of said film and to pull the same diagonally downward and forward in substantially vertical planes to progressively stretch said film over said article; c-5. the portion of said film which is gripped by said chains following a tortuous path through said interleaved interlocking chains, whereby said film ends are pressure gripped tightly by said chains.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for wrapping articles in stretchable film, said apparatus including: a. support means for supporting a series of articles partially wrapped in tubular manner with stretchable film the open ends of which project laterally in both directions beyond opposite sides of the articles, b. carrier means for transporting said series of partially wrapped articles in succession along said support means; and c. a film-stretching station, said station including: c-1. a pair of endless gripper chains disposed in vertical relation, one above the other, at each side of said support means; c-2. track means for each of said gripper chains maintaining the upper reach of the lower chain in continuous-interleaved interlocking pressure engagement with the lower reach of the upper chain; c-3. means for driving said gripper chains at a speed related to that of said carrier means; c-4. said gripper chains operating to grip the ends of said projecting portions of said film and to pull the same diagonally downward and forward in substantially vertical planes to progressively stretch said film over said article; c-5. the portion of said film which is gripped by said chains following a tortuous path through said interleaved interlocking chains, whereby said film ends are pressure gripped tightly by said chains.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that said upper and lower chains are interleaved both horizontally and vertically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 characterized in that but one of said upper and lower chains is driven.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 characterized in that each of said endless gripper chains includes links having side bars, cross pins and cross bearings, and in that the side bars of the driven chain engage and push against the cross bearings of the other chain, whereby said other chain is driven by said driven chain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized by the provision of: a. a film-folding station along said support means beyond said film-stretching station, said film-folding station including fixed folders interposed in the path of said downwardly pulled ends of film for engaging the film projections and folding the same progressively inwardly toward the center of said support means at the underside of said article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 characterized in that said folder means also functions as a part of said support means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized in that said folder means comprises a pair of wedge-shaped plates, each presenting a horizontally inclined edge to the downwardly pulled film end projections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by the provision of a heat-sealing station along said support means beyond said folding station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized by the provision of a cooling station along said support means beyond saId heat-sealing station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized in that: a. adjustment means are provided for adjusting the width of said support means and the lateral distance between said pairs of gripper chains, said folder means, said heat-sealing station means, and said cooling station means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB764453A
Cited
US2926473A
Cited
US3372526A
Cited
US3357156A
Cited
US3370394A
Cited
US3537235A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |