US4095395A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-guiding stretch-wrap machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-05-19
•
Granted: 1978-06-20
•
Expires: 1997-05-19
Abstract
Abstract Motive unit carries stretch-wrap unit around stationary material unit to be wrapped. Motive unit is preferably self-propelled and is biased to be self-guided around the unit to be wrapped. Follower wheel contacts unit to be wrapped and controls steering. Propulsion urges motive unit toward material to be wrapped.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Goldstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:05
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B11/00; B65B11/02; B65B11/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A stretch-wrap machine comprising: a vehicle including, as components of the vehicle, means for supporting the vehicle for free movement along a floor, means for driving the vehicle along the floor around material to be wrapped, said driving means including means for continually biasing the vehicle to move in a direction toward said material without external guidance, and feeler means projecting in said direction for engaging a surface associated with said material in response to said biasing and thereby limiting the movement of the vehicle toward said material; and a stretch-wrap unit mounted on the vehicle for movement therewith along the floor and including means for wrapping stretch-wrap film around the material to be wrapped as the vehicle travels on the floor around said material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A stretch-wrap machine comprising: a vehicle including, as components of the vehicle, means for supporting the vehicle for free movement along a floor, means for driving the vehicle along the floor around material to be wrapped, said driving means including means for continually biasing the vehicle to move in a direction toward said material without external guidance, and feeler means projecting in said direction for engaging a surface associated with said material in response to said biasing and thereby limiting the movement of the vehicle toward said material; and a stretch-wrap unit mounted on the vehicle for movement therewith along the floor and including means for wrapping stretch-wrap film around the material to be wrapped as the vehicle travels on the floor around said material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 1, wherein said feeler means projects from one side of the vehicle and said means for supporting the vehicle comprises a propulsion wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle, and wherein said driving means, including said biasing means, comprises means for propelling said wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 2, wherein said means for supporting the vehicle also comprises an additional wheel at said one side of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 1, wherein said means for supporting the vehicle comprises at least one propulsion wheel and at least one steerable wheel, and wherein said means for driving the vehicle comprises means for propelling said propulsion wheel, said biasing means comprising means for urging said steerable wheel to steer toward the material to be wrapped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 4, further comprising means connecting said feeler means to said steerable wheel for steering said steerable wheel in accordance with the shape of said surface engaged by said feeler means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 4, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring connected to said steerable wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 1, wherein said feeler means has a roller for engaging said surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 7, wherein said roller is of adjustable height to adjust the level at which the roller engages said surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 1, further comprising means for counting the number of revolutions of said vehicle about the material to be wrapped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 9, wherein said counting means comprises means for counting the number of corners of the material to be wrapped that are passed by the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 10, wherein said means for supporting the vehicle comprises a steerable wheel, wherein said biasing means comprises means for urging said wheel to steer in a direction toward the material to be wrapped, and wherein said counting means comprises means responsive to the steering of said wheel as the vehicle passes a corner of the material to be wrapped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The stretch-wrap machine of claim 9, wherein said counting means comprises a sensor mounted on said vehicle and a sensor actuator fixed relative to the material to be wrapped and positioned to actuate the sensor each time the vehicle has completed a revolution about the material to be wrapped.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2057061A
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US2591136A
Cited
US3003297A
Cited
US3393762A
Cited
US3910005A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-19 | 1981-12-19 | 1982-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | 1986-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-19 | 1989-12-19 | 1990-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |