US3793798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shrink palletized process and apparatus
Assignee: Lantech Inc
•
Filing: 1972-10-06
•
Granted: 1974-02-26
•
Expires: 1992-10-06
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a process for making a high-strength unitary package, which has its generally vertically arranged portion overwrapped by a sheet of material of a type laminateable at its heat-shrinking temperature wherein an overlapped laminated seal is simultaneously formed between the leading and trailing edges of the sheet when the overwrapping sheet is also heat shrunk tightly against the package. Basically, the process comprises the steps of: placing a package on a support; locating a generally vertically arranged rolled-up sheet of a material of a type laminateable at its heat-shrinking temperature on dispenser means mounted for movement relative to the support; withdrawing a leading edge of the material from the dispenser and holding that leading edge against the package; moving the dispenser means relative to the support about a generally vertical axis and thereby causing a sufficient amount of the material to be dispensed from the dispenser means to overwrap the generally vertically arranged portion of the package and also provide a section of the material overlapping the leading edge; severing the overlapping section from the dispenser means and holding it to the package in a position overlapping the leading edge; and heating the overwrapped package to the heat-shrinking temperature of the material and thus simultaneously forming an overlapping laiminated seal between the leading edge and the overlapping section and also heat shrinking the overwrapped material tightly against the package. The present invention is also directed toward the product that is produced by this process and to certain apparatus which can be utilized to perform this process.
Inventors
- 👤 P Lancaster
- 👤 W Lancaster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:07
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B11/00; B65B11/02; B65B11/025; B65B53/00; B65B53/02; B65B2210/00; B65B2210/14; B65B2210/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A process for making a high-strength unitary package comprising the steps of: a. placing a package on a support; b. locating a generally vertically arranged rolled-up sheet of material of a type laminateable at its heat-shrinking temperature on dispenser means mounted for movement relative to said support; c. withdrawing a leading edge of said material from said dispenser means and holding said leading edge against said package; d. moving said dispenser means relative to said support about a generally vertically axis thereby causing a sufficient amount of said material to be dispensed from said dispenser means to overwrap the generally vertically arranged portion of said package and also provide a section of said material overlapping said leading edge; e. severing said overlapping section from said dispenser means and holding it to said package in a position overlapping said leading edge; and f. heating said overwrapped package to the heat-shrinking temperature of said material and thus simultaneously forming an overlapping laminated seal between said leading edge and said section and also heat-shrinking said overwrapped material tightly against said package.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A process for making a high-strength unitary package comprising the steps of: a. placing a package on a support; b. locating a generally vertically arranged rolled-up sheet of material of a type laminateable at its heat-shrinking temperature on dispenser means mounted for movement relative to said support; c. withdrawing a leading edge of said material from said dispenser means and holding said leading edge against said package; d. moving said dispenser means relative to said support about a generally vertically axis thereby causing a sufficient amount of said material to be dispensed from said dispenser means to overwrap the generally vertically arranged portion of said package and also provide a section of said material overlapping said leading edge; e. severing said overlapping section from said dispenser means and holding it to said package in a position overlapping said leading edge; and f. heating said overwrapped package to the heat-shrinking temperature of said material and thus simultaneously forming an overlapping laminated seal between said leading edge and said section and also heat-shrinking said overwrapped material tightly against said package.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said holding is accomplished with non-adhesive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein a portion of said material is also held against a part of the top of said package prior to said heating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 3, wherein said material comprises polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein said sheet comprises film having a thickness in a range between 0.001 and 0.016 inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 5, wherein said heating is performed with infra-red heating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 6, wherein said heating is performed in the absence of forced air circulation means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said holding is performed manually.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said holding is performed by removable weight means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said holding is performed with mechanical fastener means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said material comprises polyethylene.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 11, wherein said material is film having a thickness in a range between 0.001 and 0.016 inches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 12, wherein said heating is performed with infra-red means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 13, wherein said heating is performed in the absence of any forced air circulation means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claiM 11, wherein said heating is performed with infra-red heating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 15, wherein said heating is performed in the absence of forced air circulating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said heating is performed with infra-red heating means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 17, wherein said heating is performed in the absence of force air circulating means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for making a high-strength unitary package, comprising: a. support means for supporting a package; b. dispenser means for locating a generally vertically-arranged rolled-up sheet of material of a type laminateable at its heat-shrinking temperature for movement relative to said support means; c. means mounting said dispenser means for movement about a generally vertical axis; d. drive means for moving said dispenser means relative to said support means about a generally vertical axis and thereby causing a sufficient amount of material to be dispensed from said dispenser means to overwrap the generally vertically-arranged portion of said package and also provide a section of said material overlapping the leading edge of said material; e. means for holding overlapping section of said package in a position overlapping but unsealed to said leading edge; and f. heater means for heating said overwrapped package to the heat-shrinking temperature of said material and thus simultaneously forming an overlapping laminated seal between said leading edge and said section and also heat shrinking said overwrapped material tightly against said package.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for making a high-strength unitary package, comprising: a. support means for supporting a package; b. dispenser means for locating a generally vertically-arranged rolled-up sheet of material of a type laminateable at its heat-shrinking temperature for movement relative to said support means; c. means mounting said dispenser means for movement about a generally vertical axis; d. drive means for moving said dispenser means relative to said support means about a generally vertical axis and thereby causing a sufficient amount of material to be dispensed from said dispenser means to overwrap the generally vertically-arranged portion of said package and also provide a section of said material overlapping the leading edge of said material; e. means for holding overlapping section of said package in a position overlapping but unsealed to said leading edge; and f. heater means for heating said overwrapped package to the heat-shrinking temperature of said material and thus simultaneously forming an overlapping laminated seal between said leading edge and said section and also heat shrinking said overwrapped material tightly against said package.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 19 further including cutter means for severing said overlapping section from said dispenser means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 20 wherein said means for holding said overlapping section to said package in a position overlapping but unsealed to said leading edge is removable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 21, wherein said heater means comprise infra-red heating means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 22, wherein said heater means are absent any forced air-circulating means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 23, wherein said support means is non-rotatably mounted.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 24, wherein said drive means are powered by electric means energized and deenergized by a foot-operable electric switch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 20, wherein said cutter means is carried by said dispenser means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 21, wherein said removable means comprises weight means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 19, further including conveyor means for moving said support means relative to said heater means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 28, wherein said moving of said support means by said conveyor means is limited to a substantially linear path relative to said heater means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 19, wherein said heater means comprises infra-red heating means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 30, wherein said heater means are absent any forced air-circulating means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 19 wherein said means for holding said overlapping section to said package in a position overlapping but unsealed to said leading edge is removable.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 32, wherein said removable means comprises weight means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 19, wherein said support means is non-rotatably mounted.
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) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |