Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of partly removing a wrapping of shrinkable plastics material shrunk about a plurality of units arranged in the form of a substantially rectangular package, said method comprising the steps of: first making intermediate the top wall and the bottom wall of the wrapping in each of two opposite side walls a horizontal first cut extending the entire length of the respective two side walls and parallel to the top and bottom wall of the wrapping; then making along each of the four corners of the wrapping a second cut extending from the top of each corner to the horizontal cuts in the side walls; and finally making a third cut across the top wall about midway between the other two uncut side walls and continued to said side wall cuts crosswise thereto thereby dividing the top wall of the wrapping into two flaps each continued by a portion of said two opposite side walls and a wall portion of the side wall from which it extends; whereby upon folding back of said flaps and said wall portions the upper part of the units is exposed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of partly removing a wrapping of shrinkable plastics material shrunk about a plurality of units arranged in the form of a substantially rectangular package, said method comprising the steps of: first making intermediate the top wall and the bottom wall of the wrapping in each of two opposite side walls a horizontal first cut extending the entire length of the respective two side walls and parallel to the top and bottom wall of the wrapping; then making along each of the four corners of the wrapping a second cut extending from the top of each corner to the horizontal cuts in the side walls; and finally making a third cut across the top wall about midway between the other two uncut side walls and continued to said side wall cuts crosswise thereto thereby dividing the top wall of the wrapping into two flaps each continued by a portion of said two opposite side walls and a wall portion of the side wall from which it extends; whereby upon folding back of said flaps and said wall portions the upper part of the units is exposed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 1 and comprising the further step of making in the two lengthwise slotted opposite side walls of the wrapping two spaced apart parallel cuts extending between said lengthwise side wall cuts and the bottom wall to permit the folding back of said side walls.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
261 words
A device for partly removing in continuous operation a wrapping of shrinkable plastics material shrunk upon a plurality of units arranged in the form of a substantial rectangular package, said device comprising in combination: a first cutting station including first cutting means for horizontally cutting in each of two opposite side walls of the wrapping a horizontal cut extending the length of the respective side wall and being disposed intermediate the top wall and the bottom wall of said wrapping and parallel to said top and bottom walls; a second cutting station including second cutting means for cutting along each of the four corners of the wrapping a second cut extending from the top of the respective corner to at least the lengthwise cuts in said two opposite side walls; a third cutting station including third cutting means for cutting into the top wall of the wrapping a cut extending transversely across said top wall and perpendicularly to said two horizontally cut opposite side walLs, said transverse cut being continued into the cuts in said two opposite side walls, said side wall cuts, said top wall cut and said corner cuts forming two flaps at the top of the wrapping; a gripping and folding means for gripping said two flaps and folding the same back in opposite directions, thereby exposing the upper part of the wrapped units; and conveying means for conveying wrapped packages successively past said cutting stations and said gripping and holding means for coacting of said cutting means and said gripping and holding means with each passing wrapping.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
261 words
A device for partly removing in continuous operation a wrapping of shrinkable plastics material shrunk upon a plurality of units arranged in the form of a substantial rectangular package, said device comprising in combination: a first cutting station including first cutting means for horizontally cutting in each of two opposite side walls of the wrapping a horizontal cut extending the length of the respective side wall and being disposed intermediate the top wall and the bottom wall of said wrapping and parallel to said top and bottom walls; a second cutting station including second cutting means for cutting along each of the four corners of the wrapping a second cut extending from the top of the respective corner to at least the lengthwise cuts in said two opposite side walls; a third cutting station including third cutting means for cutting into the top wall of the wrapping a cut extending transversely across said top wall and perpendicularly to said two horizontally cut opposite side walLs, said transverse cut being continued into the cuts in said two opposite side walls, said side wall cuts, said top wall cut and said corner cuts forming two flaps at the top of the wrapping; a gripping and folding means for gripping said two flaps and folding the same back in opposite directions, thereby exposing the upper part of the wrapped units; and conveying means for conveying wrapped packages successively past said cutting stations and said gripping and holding means for coacting of said cutting means and said gripping and holding means with each passing wrapping.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
The device according to claim 3 wherein the first cutting means comprise a pair of knives having a horizontally disposed cutting edge, each of said knives being disposed adjacent to one of said two opposite side walls of the wrapping, and mounting means for each of said knives, each of said mounting means supporting the respective knife pivotal in a horizontal plane for moving the same into and out of cutting engagement with the respective side wall of the wrapping for cutting said lengthwise cuts as a wrapping is conveyed past said knives.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device according to claim 3 wherein the second cutting means comprise a pair of knives having a vertically disposed cutting edge, each of said knives being disposed adjacent to one of said opposite side walls of the wrapping, and a mounting means for each of said knives, each of said mounting means supporting one of said knives movable in a vertical plane for cutting engagement with a wrapping conveyed past said knives.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The device according to claim 3 wherein the third cutting means comprise a knife having a vertical cutting edge and being mounted in a position in which the knife is in cutting engagement with the top wall of the wrapping and the side wall portions between said lengthwise cuts therein and the top wall when and while said conveying means moves a wrapping past said knife.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
The device according to claim 3 wherein said gripping and said holding means comprise a pair of gripping members each for gripping one of said flaps, and a mounting means for each of said gripper members, each of said mounting means supporting the respective gripper member pivotal between a position in which the gripper member grips the respective flap and a position in which the gripper member holds the gripped flap clear of the wrapped units, thereby unwrapping the upper part thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 7 wherein said gripper members comprise suction means for holding the respective flap by suction force.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
The device according to claim 3 and comprising fourth cutting means for making a further vertical cut in each of said two opposite side walls of the wrapping, each of said fourth cutting means including a knife having a cutting edge and being disposed adjacent to the respective one of said two opposite side walls of the wrapping, and a mounting means for each of said knives, each of said mounting means including a knife moving means for vertically moving the respective knife between a lower position juxtaposed to the plane of the bottom wall of the wrapping and an upper position relative to said lower position when and while the knives are in cutting engagement with said other two opposite side walls.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device according to claim 3 and comprising lifting means engageable with units the upper part of which is exposed due to folding back of said flaps, said lifting means including gripper means engageable with said units for lifting the same out of the cut-open wrapping.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 10 and comprising brush means for removing cut-apart wrappings from said conveying means.