Patent US4144631A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4144631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for fitting heat shrinkable film seals to necks of vessels
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-09-20
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Granted: 1979-03-20
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Expires: 1997-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A heat shrinkable film is opened up from a collapsed state by suckers and is stretched over several guide members which are then clamped over the neck of a vessel. The film is pushed off the guide members onto the neck of the vessel and is clamped there by clamp members while the guides are withdrawn.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaaki Fujio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:24
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67B; B67B5/00; B67B5/03; B67B5/036; B29; B29C; B29C63/00; B29C63/18; B29C63/38; B29C63/42; B29C63/423; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53657
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for putting a tube of heat shrinkable film on over the neck of a vessel, comprising: (a) inserting the operative ends of a plurality of guides into the tube of film, the guides having a mutual configuration which defines a substantially tubular inside space and a substantially tubular outside surface and being movable substantially radially with respect to one another so as to widen or narrow the inside space and the outside surface; (b) spreading out the film tube by moving the guides apart so as to widen the outside surface defined by them; (c) inserting the neck of the vessel into the inside space defined between the guides past their operative ends; (d) slightly bringing together the guides so as to grip the neck of the vessel between their operative ends; (e) pushing the tube of film along the guides and over the neck of the vessel; and (f) releasing the grip of the operative ends of the guides on the neck of the vessel and removing them from it, leaving the tube of film on the neck.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for putting a tube of heat shrinkable film on over the neck of a vessel, comprising: (a) inserting the operative ends of a plurality of guides into the tube of film, the guides having a mutual configuration which defines a substantially tubular inside space and a substantially tubular outside surface and being movable substantially radially with respect to one another so as to widen or narrow the inside space and the outside surface; (b) spreading out the film tube by moving the guides apart so as to widen the outside surface defined by them; (c) inserting the neck of the vessel into the inside space defined between the guides past their operative ends; (d) slightly bringing together the guides so as to grip the neck of the vessel between their operative ends; (e) pushing the tube of film along the guides and over the neck of the vessel; and (f) releasing the grip of the operative ends of the guides on the neck of the vessel and removing them from it, leaving the tube of film on the neck.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1, further comprising opening up the film tube with a plurality of sucker elements so as to facilitate the insertion performed in step (a).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 1, further comprising clamping the tube of film to the neck of the vessel by a plurality of clamping means so as positively to hold the film onto the neck of the vessel during step (f).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the guides are two in number.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 4, wherein the guides are moved substantially radially so as to widen and narrow the space between them by being pivoted around substantially axial axes at the other longitudinal ends of the guides from their operative ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for putting a tube of heat shrinkable film on over the neck of a vessel, comprising a plurality of guides which have a mutual configuration which defines a substantially tubular inside space and a substantially tubular outside surface, and which are movable substantially radially with respect to one another so as to widen or narrow the inside space and the outside surface, and which have free operative ends adapted for gripping the neck of a vessel between them, and which have an outer surface adapted for guiding the tube of film over the guides onto the neck of the vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for putting a tube of heat shrinkable film on over the neck of a vessel, comprising a plurality of guides which have a mutual configuration which defines a substantially tubular inside space and a substantially tubular outside surface, and which are movable substantially radially with respect to one another so as to widen or narrow the inside space and the outside surface, and which have free operative ends adapted for gripping the neck of a vessel between them, and which have an outer surface adapted for guiding the tube of film over the guides onto the neck of the vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising a plurality of sucker elements which open up the tube of film prior to the guide elements being inserted into it.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising clamping means which clamp the tube of film to the neck of the vessel when it has been placed thereover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the guides are two in number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the guides are moved substantially radially so as to widen and narrow the space between them by being pivoted around substantially axial axes at the other longitudinal ends of the guides from their operative ends.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising a pushing element for pushing the tube of film off the guides onto the neck of the vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the pushing element is of the form of a multi-armed cross whereof at least some of the arms project through longitudinal slots formed in the guides.
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) | 1982-03-19 | 1982-09-18 | 1983-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-19 | 1986-09-18 | 1987-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-19 | 1990-09-18 | 1991-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |