Heat-shrinkable band application machine
First Claim
1. A method of applying bands to containers conveyed past a band application machine, comprising:
- (a) cutting a band from a supply strip;
(b) gripping opposite sides of the cut band with a gripping mechanism and pulling the opposite sides of the band to an open position;
(c) continuously conveying containers underneath a plunger;
(d) moving the plunger from a retracted position spaced above the open cut band downwardly toward the cut band;
(e) engaging the open cut band with the downwardly moving plunger while the open cut band is disposed about the gripping mechanism;
(f) moving the plunger downwardly past the gripping mechanism to an extended position and pushing the open cut band downwardly onto the top of a moving container passing underneath the plunger;
(g) maintaining the plunger stationary and in the extended position while the moving container and the open band moves beneath the plunger;
(h) pressing the band downwardly onto the moving container by engaging the band with the plunger while the plunger is held stationary and in the extended position such that the stationary plunger acts to press the band onto the container as the container and band move generally horizontally with respect to the stationary plunger; and
(i) moving the plunger from the stationary extended position back to the retracted position.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A band application machine for transferring to containers heat-shrinkable bands. The band application machine includes a band feed system for feeding band supply material to a cutting system which cuts a band from the band supply. A transfer system transfers cut bands to containers conveyed past a banding point, and includes a band gripping mechanism and a plunger. Band gripping mechanism includes opposed suction cups that are movably mounted for gripping and positioning a cut band. The suction cups are laterally movable from a position where a closed band is gripped on opposing sides by the suction cups to a position where the band is open and aligned with the stroke of the plunger. The plunger is positioned over the opened band at an angle with respect to the band. The plunger presses and drives the band onto a container as the gripper apparatus releases the open band. The angle of the top plunger with respect to the cut band results in the plunger engaging a leading edge of the cut band as the plunger moves to press the band onto the underpassing container. Associated with the plunger are air blast openings that direct air against an inside, trailing section of the band so as to effectively urge and maintain the band in an open position as the plunger presses the band onto the container. A programmable control system directs the operation of the band application machine.
22 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of applying bands to containers conveyed past a band application machine, comprising:
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(a) cutting a band from a supply strip; (b) gripping opposite sides of the cut band with a gripping mechanism and pulling the opposite sides of the band to an open position; (c) continuously conveying containers underneath a plunger; (d) moving the plunger from a retracted position spaced above the open cut band downwardly toward the cut band; (e) engaging the open cut band with the downwardly moving plunger while the open cut band is disposed about the gripping mechanism; (f) moving the plunger downwardly past the gripping mechanism to an extended position and pushing the open cut band downwardly onto the top of a moving container passing underneath the plunger; (g) maintaining the plunger stationary and in the extended position while the moving container and the open band moves beneath the plunger; (h) pressing the band downwardly onto the moving container by engaging the band with the plunger while the plunger is held stationary and in the extended position such that the stationary plunger acts to press the band onto the container as the container and band move generally horizontally with respect to the stationary plunger; and (i) moving the plunger from the stationary extended position back to the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A band application machine for applying cut bands to containers passing underneath the machine on a conveyor, comprising:
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(a) a cutting station for cutting individual bands from a supply strip; (b) a gripping mechanism for engaging the individual cut bands and opening the same; (c) plunger means for engaging an open cut band disposed adjacent the gripping mechanism; and (d) means for moving said plunger means downwardly from a retracted position above the gripping mechanism and for moving downwardly to an extended position and transferring the open cut band onto an underpassing container and for assuming a stationary mode in the extended position while the cut band and container pass thereunder such that the stationary plunger means continues to engage the open cut band and to press the band onto the container as the cut band and container move under the plunger means. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A band application machine for applying cut bands to containers passing underneath the machine on a conveyor comprising:
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(a) a cutting station for cutting individual bands from a supply strip; (b) a gripping mechanism for engaging opposite sides of the cut band and opening the cut band, the gripping mechanism including opposed suction cups with at least one of the opposed suction cups being movable back and forth in a direction aligned with the direction of travel of the containers moving past the band application machine; (c) plunger means for engaging an open cut band disposed adjacent the gripping mechanism; and (d) means for moving said plunger means downwardly from a retracted position above the gripping mechanism and for moving downwardly to an extended position and transferring the open cut band onto an underpassing container and for assuming a stationary mode in the extended position while the cut band and container pass thereunder such that the stationary plunger means continues to engage the open cut band and to press the band onto the container as the cut band and container move under the plunger means.
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Specification