Horizontal sleeve applicator and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A horizontal sleeve applicator comprising:
- a. a supply of a tubular film in flattened condition;
b. means located downstream of the tubular film supply for driving the tubular film in a downstream direction;
c. means for opening the flat tubular film located downstream of the means for driving the tubular film and mounted for moving between a first position in alignment with the tubular film from the supply and a second position, the second position being offset from the first position in a direction perpendicular to the downstream direction of the tubular film;
d. cutting means located between the means for driving and the means for opening, the cutting means adapted for severing the tubular film at a selected length to form a sleeve;
e. a driver for moving the means for opening between the first and second positions;
f. a conveyor for sequentially positioning each one of a series of horizontally oriented products in alignment with the second position of the means for opening; and
g. means for discharging the sleeve from the means for opening so as to enwrap the aligned one of the series of horizontally oriented products.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for enwrapping a horizontally oriented product in a sleeve. A sleeve is formed by opening a flat tubular film and cutting a selected length of tubing. The sleeve is further opened in a forming tube to a cross sectional shape comparable with the cross sectional shape of the product. The forming tube is moved from a receiving position to a discharge position and the sleeve is moved in a horizontal plane to enclose the axially aligned product carried on a horizontally oriented conveyor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A horizontal sleeve applicator comprising:
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a. a supply of a tubular film in flattened condition; b. means located downstream of the tubular film supply for driving the tubular film in a downstream direction; c. means for opening the flat tubular film located downstream of the means for driving the tubular film and mounted for moving between a first position in alignment with the tubular film from the supply and a second position, the second position being offset from the first position in a direction perpendicular to the downstream direction of the tubular film; d. cutting means located between the means for driving and the means for opening, the cutting means adapted for severing the tubular film at a selected length to form a sleeve; e. a driver for moving the means for opening between the first and second positions; f. a conveyor for sequentially positioning each one of a series of horizontally oriented products in alignment with the second position of the means for opening; and g. means for discharging the sleeve from the means for opening so as to enwrap the aligned one of the series of horizontally oriented products. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for applying a tubular sleeve horizontally to enwrap a product, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a supply of a tubular film in flat condition; b. opening the flat tubular film; c. driving the tubular film along a line in a downstream direction from the supply; d. severing the tubular film so as to form a sleeve of selected length in a first position in alignment with the line along which the tubular film is driven from the supply; e. moving the sleeve to a second position that is parallel to and offset from the line; f. positioning a product in axial alignment with the sleeve in the second position; and g. moving the sleeve linearly to enwrap the product. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A horizontal sleeve applicator comprising:
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a. a supply of a tubular film in flattened condition; b. means located downstream of the tubular film supply for driving the tubular film in a downstream direction along a path; c. a forming tube having a plurality of internal guide grooves and being located downstream of the means for driving the tubular film, the forming tube mounted for moving between a first position in alignment with the tubular film from the supply and a second position, the second position being offset from the first position in a direction perpendicular to the path; d. cutting means located between the means for driving and the forming tube, the cutting means adapted for severing a selected length of tubular film to form a sleeve; e. a driver for moving the forming tube between the first and second positions; f. a conveyor for sequentially positioning each one of a series of horizontally oriented products in alignment with the second position of the forming tube; and g. means for discharging the sleeve from the forming tube so as to enwrap the aligned one of the series of horizontally oriented products. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification