US5161349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biaxial stretch wrapping
Assignee: Lantech Inc
•
Filing: 1990-10-02
•
Granted: 1992-11-10
•
Expires: 2010-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Stretch wrapping packaging material on a load includes introducing stretch wrap packaging material onto V shaped tips of projecting portions of a first grooved roller so that the packaging material spans the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved roller. The web of packaging material and the first grooved roller are transported in the direction generally parallel to the grooves. The web of packaging material spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved roller is impinged with V shaped tips of projecting portions of a second grooved roller. The tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved roller are transported at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved roller. The tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved roller moves at a speed which stretches the web between the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which it is transported and minimizes any stretching of the web in the direction in which the web is transported. The web is stretched between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved rollers in a direction transverse to the direction in which the web is transported. The web is separated from the first and second grooved surfaces and wrapped onto a load by providing relative rotation between the load and a dispensing mechanism for the web.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick R. Lancaster, III
- 👤 William G. Lancaster
- 👤 John Fain
- 👤 Phil Moore
- 👤 Curtis Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:51
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C55/00; B29C55/02; B29C55/04; B29C55/08; B29C55/18; B65; B65B; B65B11/00; B65B11/02; B65B11/025; B65B11/04; B65B11/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A process for stretch wrapping a load with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material comprising: introducing the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material onto tips of projecting portions of a first circumferentially grooved roller surface and spanning nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface; transporting the sheet and the first grooved surface in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; impinging the sheet spanning the non-projecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of a second circumferentially grooved roller surface downstream of where the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first circumferentially grooved roller surface; transporting the tips of nonprojecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; stretching the sheet between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported; separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces; and wrapping the stretched sheet around a load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A process for stretch wrapping a load with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material comprising: introducing the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material onto tips of projecting portions of a first circumferentially grooved roller surface and spanning nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface; transporting the sheet and the first grooved surface in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; impinging the sheet spanning the non-projecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of a second circumferentially grooved roller surface downstream of where the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first circumferentially grooved roller surface; transporting the tips of nonprojecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; stretching the sheet between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported; separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces; and wrapping the stretched sheet around a load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
203 words
A process for stretch wrapping a load with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material comprising: transporting the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material and stretching the sheet in the direction in which the sheet is transported; introducing the sheet onto tips of projecting portions of a first circumferentially grooved roller surface and spanning nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface; transporting the sheet and the first grooved surface in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; impinging the sheet spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of a second circumferentially grooved roller surface downstream of where the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first circumferentially grooved roller surface; transporting the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; stretching the sheet between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported; separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces; and wrapping the stretched sheet around a load.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
203 words
A process for stretch wrapping a load with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material comprising: transporting the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material and stretching the sheet in the direction in which the sheet is transported; introducing the sheet onto tips of projecting portions of a first circumferentially grooved roller surface and spanning nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface; transporting the sheet and the first grooved surface in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; impinging the sheet spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of a second circumferentially grooved roller surface downstream of where the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first circumferentially grooved roller surface; transporting the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; stretching the sheet between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported; separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces; and wrapping the stretched sheet around a load.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
201 words
An apparatus for stretch wrapping a load with stretch wrap packaging material comprising: means for dispensing a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material including a first rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves, a second rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips which extend between the projecting portions of the first grooved surface and nonprojecting portions in which the projecting portions of the first grooved surface extend for impinging and stretching the sheet in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is being transported, means for orienting the sheet on the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface before impinging the sheet with the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface, means for maintaining the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface; and means for providing relative rotation between the dispensing means and a load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
201 words
An apparatus for stretch wrapping a load with stretch wrap packaging material comprising: means for dispensing a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material including a first rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves, a second rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips which extend between the projecting portions of the first grooved surface and nonprojecting portions in which the projecting portions of the first grooved surface extend for impinging and stretching the sheet in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is being transported, means for orienting the sheet on the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface before impinging the sheet with the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface, means for maintaining the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface; and means for providing relative rotation between the dispensing means and a load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for stretch wrapping a load with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material comprising: means for dispensing a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material including means for transporting the sheet and stretching the sheet along the direction in which it is transported, a first rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves, a second rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips which extend between the projecting portions of the first grooved surface and nonprojecting portions in which the projecting portions of the first grooved surface extend for impinging and stretching the sheet in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is being transported, means for orienting the sheet on the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface before impinging the sheet with the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface, means for maintaining the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface; and means for providing relative rotation between the dispensing means and a load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for stretch wrapping a load with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material comprising: means for dispensing a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material including means for transporting the sheet and stretching the sheet along the direction in which it is transported, a first rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves, a second rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips which extend between the projecting portions of the first grooved surface and nonprojecting portions in which the projecting portions of the first grooved surface extend for impinging and stretching the sheet in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is being transported, means for orienting the sheet on the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface before impinging the sheet with the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface, means for maintaining the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface; and means for providing relative rotation between the dispensing means and a load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
160 words
A process for stretching a sheet comprising: introducing the sheet onto tips of projecting portions of a first circumferentially grooved roller surface and spanning nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surfaces; transporting the sheet and the first grooved surface in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; impinging the sheet spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of a second circumferentially grooved roller surface downstream of where the sheet is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first circumferentially grooved roller surface; transporting the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; stretching the sheet between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported; separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
160 words
A process for stretching a sheet comprising: introducing the sheet onto tips of projecting portions of a first circumferentially grooved roller surface and spanning nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surfaces; transporting the sheet and the first grooved surface in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; impinging the sheet spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of a second circumferentially grooved roller surface downstream of where the sheet is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first circumferentially grooved roller surface; transporting the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; stretching the sheet between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported; separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
176 words
A process for stretching a sheet comprising: transporting the sheet and stretching the sheet in the direction in which the sheet is transported; introducing the sheet onto tips or projecting portions of a first circumferentially grooved roller surface and spanning nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface; transporting the sheet and the first grooved surface in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; impinging the sheet spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of a second circumferentially grooved roller surface downstream of where the sheet is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first circumferentially grooved roller surface; transporting the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; stretching the sheet between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported; separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
176 words
A process for stretching a sheet comprising: transporting the sheet and stretching the sheet in the direction in which the sheet is transported; introducing the sheet onto tips or projecting portions of a first circumferentially grooved roller surface and spanning nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface; transporting the sheet and the first grooved surface in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; impinging the sheet spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of a second circumferentially grooved roller surface downstream of where the sheet is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first circumferentially grooved roller surface; transporting the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; stretching the sheet between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported; separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: a first rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; a second rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips which extend between the projecting portions of the first grooved surface and nonprojecting portions in which the projecting portions of the first grooved surface extend for impinging and stretching the sheet in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is being transported; means for orienting the sheet on the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface before impinging the sheet with the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface; means for maintaining the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: a first rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; a second rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips which extend between the projecting portions of the first grooved surface and nonprojecting portions in which the projecting portions of the first grooved surface extend for impinging and stretching the sheet in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is being transported; means for orienting the sheet on the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface before impinging the sheet with the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface; means for maintaining the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
180 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: means for transporting a sheet and stretching the sheet along the direction in which it is transported; a first rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; a second rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips which extend between the projecting portions of the first grooved surface and nonprojecting portions in which the projecting portions of the first grooved surface extend for impinging and stretching the sheet in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is being transported; means for orienting the sheet on the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface before impinging the sheet with the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface; means for maintaining the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
180 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: means for transporting a sheet and stretching the sheet along the direction in which it is transported; a first rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; a second rotatable roller with a circumferentially grooved surface having projecting portions with tips which extend between the projecting portions of the first grooved surface and nonprojecting portions in which the projecting portions of the first grooved surface extend for impinging and stretching the sheet in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is being transported; means for orienting the sheet on the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface before impinging the sheet with the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface; means for maintaining the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The process of claim 1, 2, 5, or 6 wherein the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface is greater than the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface maximally impinge the sheet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
84 words
The process of claim 1, 2, 5, or 6 wherein the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface is substantially less than the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface first impinge the sheet and substantially greater than the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface maximally impinge the sheet
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
84 words
The process of claim 1, 2, 5, or 6 wherein the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface is toward the center of the range between the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface first impinge the sheet and the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface maximally impinge the sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
The process of claim 1, 2, 5, or 6 wherein the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface is approximately the average of the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface first impinge the sheet and the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface maximally impinge the sheet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
130 words
The process of claim 1, 2, 5, or 6 wherein the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface is approximately one half the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface, times the sum of the radius of the second roller at the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface over the radius of the first roller at the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface, and the radius of the second roller at the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface over the difference between the center distance of the grooved rollers and the radius of the second roller at the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7, or 8 wherein the maintaining means maintains the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed greater than the tangential speed of the first grooved roller at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved roller maximally impinge the sheet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7, or 8 wherein the maintaining means maintains the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed substantially less than the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface first impinge the sheet and substantially greater than the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface maximally impinge the sheet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7, or 8 wherein the maintaining means maintains the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed is toward the center of the range between the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface first impinge the sheet and the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface maximally impinge the sheet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7, or 8 wherein the maintaining means maintains the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is approximately the average of the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface first impinge the sheet and the tangential speed of the first grooved surface at the radius where the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface maximally impinge the sheet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
135 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7, or 8 wherein the maintaining means maintains the tips of projecting portions of the second grooved surface at a speed which is approximately one half the speed of the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface, times the sum of the radius of the second roller at the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface over the radius of the first roller at the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface, and the radius of the second roller at the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface over the difference between the center distance of the grooved rollers and the radius of the second roller at the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the projecting portions have sides which converge outwardly at an angle in the range of about 50 to 90 degrees.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the projecting portions have sides which converge outwardly at an angle in the range of about 10 to 20 degrees.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the projecting portions have flat sides.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the projecting portions have a shape which supports less than about 20% of the sheet on the projecting portions along the direction transverse to the grooves and leaves more than about 80% of the sheet width unsupported and available for stretching along the direction transverse to the grooves.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the projecting portions have a shape which supports less than about 15% of the sheet on the projecting portions along the direction transverse to the grooves and leaves more than about 85% of the sheet width unsupported and available for stretching along the direction transverse to the grooves.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the projecting portions have a shape which supports less than about 10% of the sheet on the projecting portions along the direction transverse to the grooves and leaves more than about 90% of the sheet width unsupported and available for stretching along the direction transverse to the grooves.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the distance between the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface is in the range of about 1/8 to 1/2 inches.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the distance between the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface is in the range of about 1/4 to 3/8 inches.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the tip sharpness radius of the projecting portions is in the range of about 1/128 to 1/16 inches.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the tip sharpness radius of the projecting portions is in the range of about 1/64 to 1/32 inches.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the maximal impingement is in the range of a 1/8 to 1 inches.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the maximal impingement is in the range of about 1/4 to 1/2 inches.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the maximal impingement is substantially greater than the distance between the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the maximal impingement is in the range of about twice the distance between the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the tip sharpness radius of the tips is in the range of about 3 to 33% of the distance between the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 where the tip sharpness radius of the tips is in the range of about 6 to 12% of the distance between the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 including means for spreading the sheet in the transverse direction after stretching the sheet in the transverse direction.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 including a bowed roller which rotates about a fixed curved axis for spreading the sheet in the transverse direction after stretching the sheet in the transverse direction.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the first and second grooved surfaces are bowed rollers which rotate about fixed curved axes for both stretching and spreading the sheet in the transverse direction.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the second grooved surface includes a plurality of surfaces for sequentially impinging the sheet to increasing extents.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the second grooved surface includes a plurality of circumferentially grooved rollers for sequentially impinging the sheet to increasing extents.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 including means for separating the sheet from one of the grooved surfaces after the sheet has been stretched in the transverse direction.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 3, 4, 7 or 8 including belts which circulate around the projecting portions of one of the grooved surfaces and a location spaced from the grooved surface for separating the packaging material from said one of the grooved surfaces after the packaging material has been stretched in the transverse direction.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 5 or 6 wherein the step of introducing a sheet includes introducing a flattened tubular sheet onto tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface and spanning nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 5 or 6 wherein the step of introducing a sheet includes introducing a flattened bag onto tips of projecting portions of a first grooved surface and spanning nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
70 words
The process of claims 1, 2, 5 or 6 wherein the transporting steps include transporting the tips of the projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces at respective speeds which minimize any stretching of the sheet in the direction in which the sheet is transported while the sheet is being stretched between the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claims 3, 4, 7 or 8 wherein the maintaining means maintains the tips of the projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces at respective speeds which minimize any stretching of the sheet in the direction in which the sheet is transported while the sheet is being stretched between the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US634307A
Cited
US679425A
Cited
US1716555A
Cited
US2042010A
Cited
US2144356A
Cited
US2597041A
Cited
US2841820A
Cited
US3104937A
Cited
US3466358A
Cited
US3501565A
Cited
US3849526A
Cited
US4151245A
Cited
US3808639A
Cited
US4289832A
Cited
US4223059A
Cited
US4116892A
Cited
US4285100A
Cited
US4153751A
Cited
US4336638A
Cited
US4087226A
Cited
US4114008A
Cited
US4101625A
Cited
US4368565A
Cited
US4251585A
Cited
US4418510A
Cited
US4374690A
Cited
US4956140A
Cited
US4872246A
Cited
WO1989011420A1
Cited
EP0343453A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-10 | 1996-05-11 | 1996-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-10 | 2000-05-11 | 2000-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-10 | 2004-05-11 | 2004-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |