US3721804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for sealing and shrinking plastic film
Assignee: TSI Inc
•
Filing: 1970-12-16
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1990-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for heating packages has two heating elements arranged to provide a high temperature environment for packages wrapped in heat shrinkable film. A first heating element seals the package. A second heating element is enclosed in a heat tunnel and positioned above and laterally displaced from the first element. Heat is directed downwardly by a reflector or by a reflector-fan combination. A belt conveyor carries packages over the first heating element and through the heat tunnel. The conveyor has a lengthwise protrusion along its interior surface, through the full length of the closed belt. Spring loaded rollers at each end of the conveyor have annular notches or channels the sides of which engage the protrusion and prevent belt slippage.
Inventors
- 👤 R Feldman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B53/00; B65B53/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for heat shrinking and sealing plastic film, which comprises: an enclosure; a base plate attached to said enclosure, said base plate having an axial groove in it which divides said base plate into first and second sections; first heating means mounted in heat transfer relationship to a forward portion of said base plate, on each side of said dividing groove; main drive means for moving an object across said base plate, said drive means including at least two rollers, one each of said rollers being rotatably mounted to said enclosure at opposite ends of said base plate, each of said rollers comprising generally cylindrical shaped bodies having a circumferential notch in them dividing said rollers into first and second sections, said notch in each of said rollers and said base plate axial groove aligned so as to define a tracking channel; an endless belt having a roller engaging surface, said belt extending between said rollers so as to be driven thereby; and a protrusion extending from said roller engaging surface of said belt, positioned so as to be carried in said tracking channel during rotation of said belt; means for rotating at least one of said rollers; a heat tunnel enclosing a second portion of said base plate; a reflector mounted internally of said heat tunnel above said base plate; and second heating means mounted internally of said heat tunnel below said reflector of said base plate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for heat shrinking and sealing plastic film, which comprises: an enclosure; a base plate attached to said enclosure, said base plate having an axial groove in it which divides said base plate into first and second sections; first heating means mounted in heat transfer relationship to a forward portion of said base plate, on each side of said dividing groove; main drive means for moving an object across said base plate, said drive means including at least two rollers, one each of said rollers being rotatably mounted to said enclosure at opposite ends of said base plate, each of said rollers comprising generally cylindrical shaped bodies having a circumferential notch in them dividing said rollers into first and second sections, said notch in each of said rollers and said base plate axial groove aligned so as to define a tracking channel; an endless belt having a roller engaging surface, said belt extending between said rollers so as to be driven thereby; and a protrusion extending from said roller engaging surface of said belt, positioned so as to be carried in said tracking channel during rotation of said belt; means for rotating at least one of said rollers; a heat tunnel enclosing a second portion of said base plate; a reflector mounted internally of said heat tunnel above said base plate; and second heating means mounted internally of said heat tunnel below said reflector of said base plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one roller is spring loaded to maintain predetermined tension on said belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said reflector is essentially flat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said reflector is curvilinear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 including a fan assembly mounted on said tunnel, and directed to force air toward said base plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reflector has a first and second surface having a plurality of openings therebetween, said reflector being essentially flat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reflector has a first and a second surface having a plurality of openings therebetween and is curvilinear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said tunnel has a front, a back, and side walls and additionally has a control device mounted therein below said second heating element and above said base plate, said control device comprising: a top surface running from said front to said back and spaced inboardly of said side walls; two side surfaces attached to said top surface and to said enclosure; and means for controlling air flow through said side surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for controlling air flow through said side surfaces comprises manually operating louvers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said reflector has a first and a second surface having a plurality of openings therebetween, said reflector being essentially flat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said reflector has a first and a second surface having a plurality of openings therebetween and is curvilinear.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
246 words
An apparatus for heat shrinking and sealing plastic film, which comprises: an enclosure; a base plate attached to said enclosure, said base plate having an axial groove approximately dividing said base plate in equal sections; a first heating element mounted in heat transfer relationship to a forward portion of said base plate, on each side of said dividing groove; main drive means for moving an object across said base plate, said drive means comprising at least two rollers, each of said rollers being rotatably mounted to said enclosure at opposite ends of said base plate, said rollers comprising generally cylindrical shaped bodies having a circumferential notch in them dividing said rollers in approximately equal cylindrical sections, said circumferential notch in said rollers and said axial groove in said base plate being aligned so as to define a tracking channel; an endless belt having a roller engaging surface, said belt extending between said roller so as to be driven thereby; at least one protrusion extending from said roller engaging surface of said belt, and positioned so as to be driven by said rollers whereby said protrusion passes through said tracking channel during rotation of said belt; means for rotating at least one of said rollers; a heat tunnel enclosing a second portion of said base plate; a reflector mounted internally of said heat tunnel above said base plate; and a second heating element mounted internally of said heat tunnel below said reflector and above said base plate.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
246 words
An apparatus for heat shrinking and sealing plastic film, which comprises: an enclosure; a base plate attached to said enclosure, said base plate having an axial groove approximately dividing said base plate in equal sections; a first heating element mounted in heat transfer relationship to a forward portion of said base plate, on each side of said dividing groove; main drive means for moving an object across said base plate, said drive means comprising at least two rollers, each of said rollers being rotatably mounted to said enclosure at opposite ends of said base plate, said rollers comprising generally cylindrical shaped bodies having a circumferential notch in them dividing said rollers in approximately equal cylindrical sections, said circumferential notch in said rollers and said axial groove in said base plate being aligned so as to define a tracking channel; an endless belt having a roller engaging surface, said belt extending between said roller so as to be driven thereby; at least one protrusion extending from said roller engaging surface of said belt, and positioned so as to be driven by said rollers whereby said protrusion passes through said tracking channel during rotation of said belt; means for rotating at least one of said rollers; a heat tunnel enclosing a second portion of said base plate; a reflector mounted internally of said heat tunnel above said base plate; and a second heating element mounted internally of said heat tunnel below said reflector and above said base plate.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
233 words
An apparatus for heat shrinking and sealing plastic film, which comprises: an enclosure; a base plate attached to said enclosure, said base plate having an axial groove in it which divides said base plate into first and second sections; first heating means mounted in heat transfer relationship to a forward portion of said base plate; main drive means for moving an object across said base plate, said drive means including at least two rollers, one each of said rollers being rotatably mounted to said enclosure at opposite ends of said base plate, each of said rollers comprising generally cylindrical shaped bodies having a circumferential notch in them dividing said rollers into first and second sections, said notch in each of said rollers and said base plate axial groove aligned so as to define a tracking channel; an endless belt having a roller engaging surface, said belt extending between said rollers so as to be driven thereby; and a protrusion extending from said roller engaging surface of said belt, positioned so as to be carried in said tracking channel during rotation of said belt; means for rotating at least one of said rollers; a heat tunnel enclosing a second portion of said base plate; a reflector mounted internally of said heat tunnel above said base plate; and second heating means mounted internally of said heat tunnel below said reflector and above said base plate.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
233 words
An apparatus for heat shrinking and sealing plastic film, which comprises: an enclosure; a base plate attached to said enclosure, said base plate having an axial groove in it which divides said base plate into first and second sections; first heating means mounted in heat transfer relationship to a forward portion of said base plate; main drive means for moving an object across said base plate, said drive means including at least two rollers, one each of said rollers being rotatably mounted to said enclosure at opposite ends of said base plate, each of said rollers comprising generally cylindrical shaped bodies having a circumferential notch in them dividing said rollers into first and second sections, said notch in each of said rollers and said base plate axial groove aligned so as to define a tracking channel; an endless belt having a roller engaging surface, said belt extending between said rollers so as to be driven thereby; and a protrusion extending from said roller engaging surface of said belt, positioned so as to be carried in said tracking channel during rotation of said belt; means for rotating at least one of said rollers; a heat tunnel enclosing a second portion of said base plate; a reflector mounted internally of said heat tunnel above said base plate; and second heating means mounted internally of said heat tunnel below said reflector and above said base plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |