US3710550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for shrinking plastic film over palletized loads
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-12-03
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1990-12-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for shrinking an overwrap material, such as a plastic material exhibiting preferential shrink properties, over an article to be encapsulated wherein structural members are provided to support heating elements to preferentially heat portions of the plastic overwrap material to shrink it about the article. The structural members are adapted to traverse the article to be encapsulated to pass the heating elements over the overwrap to cause the overwrap material to shrink about the article thereby to encapsulate the article tightly within the overwrap material.
Inventors
- 👤 K Osborne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:08
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B59/00; B65B59/02; B65B53/00; B65B53/02; B65B59/001; B65B59/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In an apparatus for shrinking a heat-shrinkable overwrap material over an article to be encapsulated, the combination of, first and second upstanding U-shaped gantry members each said gantry including upstanding leg members and a connecting bight portion, said gantries being disposed at approximately 90* to one another with the bight portion of said first gantry overlying the bight portion of said second, means adapting each said gantry for simultaneous reciprocable movement along a limited path of movement, heating elements fixed to the upstanding leg members of each said gantry and to the bight portion of said second gantry, the respective planes within which each of said upstanding leg members and said second gantry bight portion moves defining an article receiving area therebetween, means to selectively transport an article covered by an overwrap of heat-shrinkable material into said article receiving area wherein as said gantry members traverse said article receiving area said heating elements heat-shrink said overwrap material about said article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In an apparatus for shrinking a heat-shrinkable overwrap material over an article to be encapsulated, the combination of, first and second upstanding U-shaped gantry members each said gantry including upstanding leg members and a connecting bight portion, said gantries being disposed at approximately 90* to one another with the bight portion of said first gantry overlying the bight portion of said second, means adapting each said gantry for simultaneous reciprocable movement along a limited path of movement, heating elements fixed to the upstanding leg members of each said gantry and to the bight portion of said second gantry, the respective planes within which each of said upstanding leg members and said second gantry bight portion moves defining an article receiving area therebetween, means to selectively transport an article covered by an overwrap of heat-shrinkable material into said article receiving area wherein as said gantry members traverse said article receiving area said heating elements heat-shrink said overwrap material about said article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said heating elements are infrared heating elements and said overwrap material is a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, and a polyolefin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said heating elements fixed to each said upstanding leg members and to said second gantry bight portion comprise a plurality of individual heating units and include extensible and retractable means for mounting each said heating unit on said respective gantry member whereby said individual heating units may be selectively extended away from and retracted toward said gantry member to accommodate articles of varying sizes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second gantry includes roller members carried by the upstanding leg members at their lowermost ends thereof adapted to ride on spaced guide track members to facilitate the reciprocable movement of said second gantry along said guide track members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including a support structure having a horizontal segment disposed above said first gantry bight portion, said first gantry bight portion including means engaging said horizontal segment for slidable disposition therealong whereby said first gantry member is slidably retained on said support structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |