Roll-up compressive packaging apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of said belt defining a loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt under tension to place the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop by straightening said loop after the strip is rolled up, and means associated with said moving means for substantially disengaging said moving means from said belt when the rolled strip is being discharged.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said belt moving means comprises a drive roll engageable with said belt adjacent the opening of said loop and on the upstream side of said loop.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 2 characterized by said disengaging means comprises a pinch roll, and means for moving said pinch roll toward and away from said drive roll with said belt being disposed therebetween.

Claim 5

Apparatus acording to claim 1 characterized further by a plurality of supporting rolls disposed generally under said loop to support the loop and the strip therein as the loop expands.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized by belt means carried by said supporting rolls and movable in the same direction as the lower portion of said loop.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said discharging means comprises a pivotable frame carrying a portion of said belt and said belt moving means.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized by a slack control roll carried by said pivotable frame, and means for moving said slack control roll outwardly from said pivotable frame to reduce the slack in the loop of the belt as the pivotable frame is opened.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by a float roll positioned above the loop and engageable therewith as the loop increases in size, and means for controlling the amount of pressure applied to the loop by said float roll.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized by at least one additional float roll positioned adjacent and in parallel relationship with the first float control roll.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by means for applying a length of tape to a trailing end of the strip with the tape extending substantially beyond the trailing end, as the trailing end approaches the loop.

Claim 12

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip into a roll, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, means for supporting and driving said belt in a manner to define a loop therein, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop after the strip is rolled up, means for placing said belt under increasing tension to supply greater pressure to the strip being rolled as the loop increases in size, said tension means comprises at least two stationary rolls, an intermediate, take-up roll positioned therebetween and movable toward and away from said stationary rolls, said belt extending around one of said stationary rolls, around said take-up roll, and around the other of said stationary rolls, means for urging said take-up roll in a direction away from said stationary rolls, said urging means comprising a first elongate, flexible member connected with said take-up roll, circular means spaced from said take-up roll around which a portion of said flexible member is wrapped, means for urging said circular means in a direction to wrap the flexible member thereon, said last-named means comprising a shaft, means connected with said shaft for engaging said circular means, tensioning means mounted on said shaft in an eccentric manner, a second flexible member wrapped on said tensioning means, and means for placing said second flexible member under tension resulting in a force on said first elongate flexible member which is insufficient to prevent movement of said take-up roll towArd said stationary rolls as the loop increases in size, the eccentric mounting of said tensioning member causing the distance from the tangential point of departure of said second flexible member to said shaft to increase as said take-up roll moves toward said stationary rolls.

Claim 13

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip into a roll, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, means for supporting and driving said belt in a manner to define a loop therein, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop after the strip is rolled up, means for placing said belt under increasing tension to supply greater pressure to the strip being rolled as the loop increases in size, said tension means comprises at least two stationary rolls, an intermediate, take-up roll positioned therebetween and movable toward and away from said stationary rolls, said belt extending around one of said stationary rolls, around said take-up roll, and around the other of said stationary rolls, means for urging said take-up roll in a direction away from said stationary rolls, said urging means comprising a first elongate, flexible member connected with said take-up roll, circular means spaced from said take-up roll around which a portion of said flexible member is wrapped, means for urging said circular means in a direction to wrap the flexible member thereon, said last-named means comprising a shaft, means connected with said shaft for engaging said circular means, tensioning means mounted on said shaft in an eccentric manner, a second flexible member wrapped on said tensioning means, and means for placing said second flexible member under tension resulting in a force on said first elongate flexible member which is insufficient to prevent movement of said take-up roll towArd said stationary rolls as the loop increases in size, the eccentric mounting of said tensioning member causing the distance from the tangential point of departure of said second flexible member to said shaft to increase as said take-up roll moves toward said stationary rolls.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by said means for placing said second flexible member under tension comprising a fluid-operated cylinder having a piston rod connected to said second flexible member.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by a gear mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith and a second gear connected and rotatable with said circular means and meshing with said first gear.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by said means for supporting and guiding said belt comprises a drive roll engageable with the belt adjacent the opening of the loop.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 14 characterized by a pinch roll, and means for moving said pinch roll toward and away from said drive roll with said belt being positioned between them.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by said discharging means comprises a pivotable frame carrying a portion of said belt, and means for pivoting said pivotable frame when the strip is rolled up.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by a float roll positioned above the loop and engageable therewith as the loop increases in size, and means for controlling the amount of pressure applied to the loop by said float roll.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by means for applying a length of tape to a trailing end of the strip with the tape extending substantially beyond the trailing end, as the trailing end approaches the loop.

Claim 21

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising a belt, a portion of said belt defining a loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for placing said belt under tension, means for moving said belt, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop after the strip is rolled up, means for applying a length of elongate, flexible material to the other end of the strip prior to the other end entering said belt loop, with the elongate flexible material extending substantially beyond the other end, said means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop comprises a conveyor, and said applying means comprises means for placing a portion of the elongate, flexible material on said conveyor prior to the other end of the strip passing beyond said conveyor.

Claim 22

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising a belt, a portion of said belt defining a loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for placing said belt under tension, means for moving said belt, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop after the strip is rolled up, means for applying a length of elongate, flexible material to the other end of the strip prior to the other end entering said belt loop, with the elongate flexible material extending substantially beyond the other end, said means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop comprises a conveyor, and said applying means comprises means for placing a portion of the elongate, flexible material on said conveyor prior to the other end of the strip passing beyond said conveyor.

Claim 23

Apparatus according to claim 19 characterized by said elongate, flexible material being a tape fed with an adhesive side facing upwardly, and means for activating the adhesive prior to feeding the tape onto said conveyor.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 20 characterized by said means for activating the adhesive comprises bristles having lower ends in contact with the adhesive side of the tape, and means for applying water to said bristles.

Claim 25

Apparatus according to claim 21 characterized by said water applying means comprises a spray head.

Claim 26

Apparatus according to claim 19 characterized by means for increasing the tension on said belt as the size of the loop increases.

Claim 27

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of which defines an open loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for moving said belt, said moving means being positioned adjacent the opening of the loop and on the upstream side thereof, means for placing said belt under tension to place the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop by straightening said loop after the strip is rolled up, and means associated with said moving means for reducing the rate of movement of said belt by said moving means when the rolled strip is being discharged.

Claim 28

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of which defines an open loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for moving said belt, said moving means being positioned adjacent the opening of the loop and on the upstream side thereof, means for placing said belt under tension to place the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop by straightening said loop after the strip is rolled up, and means associated with said moving means for reducing the rate of movement of said belt by said moving means when the rolled strip is being discharged.

Claim 29

Apparatus acCording to claim 24 characterized by said belt moving means comprises a drive roll engageable with said belt.

Claim 30

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of which defines a loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt under tension to place the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop by straightening said loop after the strip is rolled up, and a plurality of supporting rolls disposed generally under said loop to support the loop and the strip therein as the loop expands.

Claim 31

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of which defines a loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt under tension to place the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop by straightening said loop after the strip is rolled up, and a plurality of supporting rolls disposed generally under said loop to support the loop and the strip therein as the loop expands.

Claim 32

Apparatus according to claim 26 characterized by belt means carried by said supporting rolls and movable in the same direction as the lower portion of said loop.

Claim 35

A method according to claim 28 characterized further by applying a packaging material around the final portion of the outer surface of said body within said zone prior to releasing the wrapped body from said zone.

Claim 36

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of which defines an open loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt under tension to place the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop by straightening said loop after the strip is rolled up, and said means for feeding an end of a strip into a loop comprises a conveyor located below the strip and a guide plate located above said conveyor for aiding in directing the forward end of the strip into the loop, the edge of said plate away from said loop being adjustable in a direction toward and away from said conveyor.

Claim 37

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of which defines an open loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt under tension to place the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop by straightening said loop after the strip is rolled up, and said means for feeding an end of a strip into a loop comprises a conveyor located below the strip and a guide plate located above said conveyor for aiding in directing the forward end of the strip into the loop, the edge of said plate away from said loop being adjustable in a direction toward and away from said conveyor.

Claim 38

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising a belt, a portion of said belt defining a loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for placing said belt under tension, means for moving said belt, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop after the strip is rolled up, means for applying a length of elongate, flexible material to the other end of the strip prior to the other end entering said belt loop, with the elongate, flexible material extending substantially beyond the other end, said means for moving said belt comprises a drive roll engagable with said belt adjacent the opening of said loop and on the upstream side thereof, a pinch roll adjacent said drive roll, and means for moving said pinch roll toward and away from said drive roll with the belt disposed therebetween.

Claim 39

Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising a belt, a portion of said belt defining a loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for placing said belt under tension, means for moving said belt, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop after the strip is rolled up, means for applying a length of elongate, flexible material to the other end of the strip prior to the other end entering said belt loop, with the elongate, flexible material extending substantially beyond the other end, said means for moving said belt comprises a drive roll engagable with said belt adjacent the opening of said loop and on the upstream side thereof, a pinch roll adjacent said drive roll, and means for moving said pinch roll toward and away from said drive roll with the belt disposed therebetween.

Claim 40

Apparatus for packaging a flexible, elongate strip of insulating material, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of which defines a loop, a conveyor for carrying the elongate strip in a longitudinal direction into said loop, means for feeding a length of tape having an adhesive side facing upwardly along with said conveyor and into contact with the lower surface of said elongate strip toward the trailing end thereof, means for activating the adhesive prior to feeding the tape into contaCt with the trailing end of the elongate strip, and means for releasing said tape when a portion thereof extends substantially beyond the trailing end of said elongate strip.

Claim 41

Apparatus for packaging a flexible, elongate strip of insulating material, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of which defines a loop, a conveyor for carrying the elongate strip in a longitudinal direction into said loop, means for feeding a length of tape having an adhesive side facing upwardly along with said conveyor and into contact with the lower surface of said elongate strip toward the trailing end thereof, means for activating the adhesive prior to feeding the tape into contaCt with the trailing end of the elongate strip, and means for releasing said tape when a portion thereof extends substantially beyond the trailing end of said elongate strip.

Claim 42

Apparatus for rolling and compressing flexible, elongate strips in side-by-side relationship, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of which defines an open loop, means for substantially simultaneously feeding ends of adjacent strips in side-by-side relationship into said loop, means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt under tension to place the strips in compression as they are rolled into the loop, means for substantially simultaneously discharging the rolled strips from said loop by straightening said loop after the strips are rolled up, a restriction plate located adjacent each opposite edge portion of said belt which defines the loop to restrict transverse movement of the outer ones of said strips as they are being rolled, said plate being of a size at least substantially equal to said loop at the time the rolled strips are completed.

Claim 43

Apparatus for rolling and compressing flexible, elongate strips in side-by-side relationship, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of which defines an open loop, means for substantially simultaneously feeding ends of adjacent strips in side-by-side relationship into said loop, means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt under tension to place the strips in compression as they are rolled into the loop, means for substantially simultaneously discharging the rolled strips from said loop by straightening said loop after the strips are rolled up, a restriction plate located adjacent each opposite edge portion of said belt which defines the loop to restrict transverse movement of the outer ones of said strips as they are being rolled, said plate being of a size at least substantially equal to said loop at the time the rolled strips are completed.