US5522203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biaxial stretch wrapping
Assignee: Lantech Inc
•
Filing: 1991-08-15
•
Granted: 1996-06-04
•
Expires: 2011-08-15
Abstract
Abstract Stretch wrapping packaging material on a load includes introducing such wrapped packaging material onto tips of projecting portions of the first grooved rollers so that the packaging material spans the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved roller. The web of the packaging material on the first grooved roller are transported in the direction generally parallel to the grooves by powering the first grooved roller. The web of the packaging material spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved roller is impinged by the tips of the projecting portions of an idling second grooved roller to stretch the sheet between the projecting portions of the first and second grooved rollers in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported. The web is preferably separated from second grooved surface either before or simultaneous with its separation from the first grooved roller.
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
2026-11-04 20:45
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: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 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 grooved 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 by powering the first grooved surface; impinging the sheet spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of an idling second grooved surface downstream of where the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; transporting 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 to suspend and stretch 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 without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces; and wrapping the stretched sheet around a load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 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 grooved 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 by powering the first grooved surface; impinging the sheet spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of an idling second grooved surface downstream of where the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; transporting 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 to suspend and stretch 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 without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces; and wrapping the stretched sheet around a load.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
267 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 a first grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves, a second 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 and suspending 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 being transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces, 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 powering the first grooved surface and for permitting the second grooved surface to idle so that the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface are transported at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface to stretch 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 being transported; and means for providing relative rotation between the dispensing means and a load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
267 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 a first grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves, a second 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 and suspending 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 being transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces, 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 powering the first grooved surface and for permitting the second grooved surface to idle so that the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface are transported at a speed which is less than the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface to stretch 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 being transported; and means for providing relative rotation between the dispensing means and a load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
186 words
A process for stretching a sheet comprising: introducing the sheet onto tips of projecting portions of a first grooved 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 by powering the first grooved surface; impinging the sheet spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of an idling second grooved surface downstream of where the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; transporting 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 to suspend and stretch 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 without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; and separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
186 words
A process for stretching a sheet comprising: introducing the sheet onto tips of projecting portions of a first grooved 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 by powering the first grooved surface; impinging the sheet spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of an idling second grooved surface downstream of where the sheet of stretch wrap packaging material is introduced onto the tips of projecting portions of the first grooved surface; transporting 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 to suspend and stretch 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 without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; and separating the stretched sheet from the first and second grooved surfaces.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
226 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: a first grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; a second 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 and suspending 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 being transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; 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 powering the first grooved surface and for permitting the second grooved surface to idle so that the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface are transported at a speed which is less that the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface to stretch 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 being transported.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
226 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: a first grooved surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves; a second 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 and suspending 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 being transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; 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 powering the first grooved surface and for permitting the second grooved surface to idle so that the tips of the projecting portions of the second grooved surface are transported at a speed which is less that the speed of the tips of the projecting portions of the first grooved surface to stretch 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 being transported.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 or 3 wherein the first and second grooved surfaces are rollers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 4 wherein the first and second grooved surfaces are rollers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 or 3 including stretching the sheet in the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 4 including means for stretching the sheet along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
The process of claim 1 or 3 including stretching the sheet in the direction in which the sheet is transported prior to the step of introducing the sheet onto the tips projecting portions of the first grooved surface, and maintaining the tips of the first grooved surface at a speed which is approximately 25% to 35% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 4 including means for stretching the sheet along the direction in which it is transported prior to introducing the sheet onto the first grooved surface and means for maintaining the tips of the first grooved surface at a speed which is approximately 25% to 35% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the speed of the first grooved surface is approximately 30% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the maintaining means maintains the speed of the first grooved surface at a speed which is approximately 30% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 or 3 including directing the sheet to separate from the second grooved surface before separating from the first grooved surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 or 3 including directing the sheet to separate simultaneously from the first and second grooved surfaces.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 4 including means for directing the sheet to separate from the second grooved surface before separating from the first grooved surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 4 including means for directing the sheet to separate simultaneously from the first and second grooved surfaces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 or 3 including maintaining the sheet downstream of the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 2% to 10% faster than the tips of the first grooved surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 1 or 3 including maintaining the sheet downstream of the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 6% faster than the tips of the first grooved surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 4 including means for maintaining the sheet downstream of the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 2% to 10% faster than the tips of the first grooved surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 4 including means for maintaining the sheet downstream of the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 6% faster than the tips of the first grooved surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the means for maintaining the speed of the sheet downstream of the grooved surfaces includes a powered roller.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 21 including a bowed roller between the powered roller and the grooved surfaces for spreading the sheet in the transverse direction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the bowed roller is an idler.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
164 words
A process for stretch wrapping a load with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material comprising: transporting a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material and stretching the sheet in the direction in which sheet is transported; subsequently transporting the sheet between first and second grooved surfaces in a direction generally parallel to the grooves and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; maintaining the sheet in tension after the step of stretching in the transport direction until the step of stretching in the transverse direction; maintaining the sheet immediately prior to stretching in the transverse direction at a speed which is approximately 25% to 35% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported; and wrapping the stretched sheet around a load.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
164 words
A process for stretch wrapping a load with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material comprising: transporting a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material and stretching the sheet in the direction in which sheet is transported; subsequently transporting the sheet between first and second grooved surfaces in a direction generally parallel to the grooves and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; maintaining the sheet in tension after the step of stretching in the transport direction until the step of stretching in the transverse direction; maintaining the sheet immediately prior to stretching in the transverse direction at a speed which is approximately 25% to 35% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported; and wrapping the stretched sheet around a load.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
195 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 of stretch wrap packaging material and stretching the sheet in the direction in which sheet is transported, first and second grooved surfaces for subsequently transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooved surfaces and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces, means for maintaining the sheet in tension after the step of stretching in the transport direction until the step of stretching in the transverse direction, means for maintaining the sheet immediately prior to stretching in the transverse direction at a speed which is approximately 25% to 35% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported; and means for providing relative rotation between the dispensing means and a load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
195 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 of stretch wrap packaging material and stretching the sheet in the direction in which sheet is transported, first and second grooved surfaces for subsequently transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooved surfaces and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces, means for maintaining the sheet in tension after the step of stretching in the transport direction until the step of stretching in the transverse direction, means for maintaining the sheet immediately prior to stretching in the transverse direction at a speed which is approximately 25% to 35% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported; and means for providing relative rotation between the dispensing means and a load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
142 words
A process for stretching a sheet comprising: transporting a sheet and stretching the sheet in the direction in which sheet is transported; subsequently transporting the sheet between first and second grooved surfaces in a direction parallel to the grooves and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; maintaining the sheet in tension after the step of stretching in the transport direction until the step of stretching in the transverse direction; and maintaining the sheet immediately prior to stretching in the transverse direction at a speed which is approximately 25% to 35% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
142 words
A process for stretching a sheet comprising: transporting a sheet and stretching the sheet in the direction in which sheet is transported; subsequently transporting the sheet between first and second grooved surfaces in a direction parallel to the grooves and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; maintaining the sheet in tension after the step of stretching in the transport direction until the step of stretching in the transverse direction; and maintaining the sheet immediately prior to stretching in the transverse direction at a speed which is approximately 25% to 35% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: means for transporting a sheet and stretching the sheet in the direction in which sheet is transported; first and second grooved surfaces for subsequently transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooved surfaces and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; means for maintaining the sheet in tension after the step of stretching in the transport direction until the step of stretching in the transverse direction; and means for maintaining the sheet immediately prior to stretching in the transverse direction at a speed which is approximately 25% to 35% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: means for transporting a sheet and stretching the sheet in the direction in which sheet is transported; first and second grooved surfaces for subsequently transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooved surfaces and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; means for maintaining the sheet in tension after the step of stretching in the transport direction until the step of stretching in the transverse direction; and means for maintaining the sheet immediately prior to stretching in the transverse direction at a speed which is approximately 25% to 35% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 24 or 26 including maintaining the sheet immediately prior to stretching in the transverse direction at a speed which is approximately 30% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 25 or 27 wherein the maintaining means maintains the sheet immediately prior to stretching in the transverse direction at a speed which is approximately 30% slower than the speed of the sheet immediately after being stretched along the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
130 words
A process for stretch wrapping a load with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material comprising: transporting a sheet between first and second grooved surfaces in a direction generally parallel to the grooves and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; subsequently passing the sheet around at least one roller to thereby maintain the sheet at a position spaced downstream of the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 2% to 10% faster than the speed of the sheet immediately after stretching in the transverse direction; and wrapping the stretched sheet around a load.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
130 words
A process for stretch wrapping a load with a sheet of stretch wrap packaging material comprising: transporting a sheet between first and second grooved surfaces in a direction generally parallel to the grooves and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; subsequently passing the sheet around at least one roller to thereby maintain the sheet at a position spaced downstream of the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 2% to 10% faster than the speed of the sheet immediately after stretching in the transverse direction; and wrapping the stretched sheet around a load.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
153 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 first and second grooved surfaces for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooved surfaces and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces, a roller spaced downstream from the grooved surfaces for maintaining the sheet at a position spaced downstream from the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 2% to 10% faster than the speed of the sheet immediately after stretching in the transverse direction; and means for providing relative rotation between the dispensing means and a load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
153 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 first and second grooved surfaces for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooved surfaces and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces, a roller spaced downstream from the grooved surfaces for maintaining the sheet at a position spaced downstream from the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 2% to 10% faster than the speed of the sheet immediately after stretching in the transverse direction; and means for providing relative rotation between the dispensing means and a load to wrap the stretched sheet around the load.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for stretching a sheet comprising: transporting a sheet between first and second grooved surfaces in a direction generally parallel to the grooves and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; and subsequently passing the sheet around at least one roller to thereby maintain the sheet at a position spaced downstream of the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 2% to 10% faster than the speed of the sheet immediately after stretching in the transverse direction.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for stretching a sheet comprising: transporting a sheet between first and second grooved surfaces in a direction generally parallel to the grooves and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; and subsequently passing the sheet around at least one roller to thereby maintain the sheet at a position spaced downstream of the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 2% to 10% faster than the speed of the sheet immediately after stretching in the transverse direction.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: first and second grooved surfaces for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooved surfaces and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; and a roller spaced downstream from the grooved surfaces for maintaining the sheet at a position spaced downstream from the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 2% to 10% faster than the speed of the sheet immediately after stretching in the transverse direction.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: first and second grooved surfaces for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooved surfaces and stretching and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; and a roller spaced downstream from the grooved surfaces for maintaining the sheet at a position spaced downstream from the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 2% to 10% faster than the speed of the sheet immediately after stretching in the transverse direction.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claims 30 or 32 including maintaining the sheet at a position spaced downstream from the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 6% faster than the speed of the sheet immediately after stretching in the transverse direction.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claims 31 or 33 wherein the maintaining means maintains the sheet at a position spaced downstream from the first and second grooved surfaces at a speed which is approximately 6% faster than the speed of the sheet immediately after stretching in the transverse direction.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claims 31 or 33 wherein the means for maintaining the speed of the sheet at a position downstream of the grooved surfaces includes a powered roller.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 36 including a bowed roller for spreading the sheet in the transverse direction.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 36 including a bowed idler roller positioned between the powered roller and the grooved surfaces for spreading the sheet in the transverse direction.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1, including separating the stretched sheet from the second grooved surface prior to or simultaneous with separating the stretched sheet from the first grooved surface.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 including means for directing the sheet to separate from the second grooved surface prior to or simultaneous with separating from the first grooved surface.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
189 words
A process for stretching the sheet comprising: introducing a sheet onto tips of projecting portions of a first 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 sheets spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of a second 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 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 and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; separating the stretched sheet from the second grooved surface prior to or simultaneous with separating the stretched sheet from the first grooved surface.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
189 words
A process for stretching the sheet comprising: introducing a sheet onto tips of projecting portions of a first 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 sheets spanning the nonprojecting portions of the first grooved surface with tips of projecting portions of a second 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 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 and suspending the sheet between projecting portions of the first and second grooved surfaces in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet is transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; separating the stretched sheet from the second grooved surface prior to or simultaneous with separating the stretched sheet from the first grooved surface.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: a first grooved roller surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves, a second grooved roller 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 and suspending 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 being transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; 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; means for directing the sheet to separate from the second grooved surface prior to or simultaneous with separating from the first grooved surface.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for stretching a sheet comprising: a first grooved roller surface having projecting portions with tips and nonprojecting portions for transporting the sheet in a direction generally parallel to the grooves, a second grooved roller 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 and suspending 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 being transported without compressing the sheet between opposed portions of the first and second grooved surfaces; 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; means for directing the sheet to separate from the second grooved surface prior to or simultaneous with separating from the first grooved surface.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claims 24, 26, 30, or 32 wherein the first and second grooved surfaces are rollers.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claims 25, 27, 31, or 33 wherein the first and second grooved surfaces are rollers.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claims, 30, 32, 39, or 41 including stretching the sheet in the direction in which it is transported.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claims 31, 33, 40, or 42 including stretching the sheet along the direction in which it is transported.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-06-04 | 1999-12-04 | 2000-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-04 | 2003-12-04 | 2004-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-04 | 2007-12-04 | 2008-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |