Utensil wrapping apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils, said apparatus comprising:
- a wrapping area defining a trough dimensioned to receive one or more utensils;
a utensil dispenser configured to deliver one or more utensils to said trough;
a napkin delivery mechanism configured to deliver a napkin to said trough;
a wrapping mechanism configured to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils to define a wrapped bundle;
a tension mechanism configured to selectively limit movement of the napkin during wrapping of the napkin around the one or more utensils;
wherein said tension mechanism is configured to frictionally engage a portion of the napkin proximate an edge of said trough prior to said wrapping mechanism starting to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils; and
wherein said tension mechanism is configured to stop frictional engagement of the napkin at some time after said wrapping mechanism starts wrapping the napkin, but before said wrapping mechanism completes wrapping of the napkin.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils. The apparatus includes a wrapping area defining a trough dimensioned to receive one or more utensils. A utensil dispenser and napkin delivery mechanism may be provided to deliver the utensils and a napkin, respectively, to the trough. The apparatus may also include a wrapping mechanism that wraps the napkin around the utensils. In some cases, a tension mechanism may be included to selectively limit movement of the napkin during wrapping.
62 Citations
50 Claims
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1. An apparatus for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils, said apparatus comprising:
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a wrapping area defining a trough dimensioned to receive one or more utensils; a utensil dispenser configured to deliver one or more utensils to said trough; a napkin delivery mechanism configured to deliver a napkin to said trough; a wrapping mechanism configured to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils to define a wrapped bundle; a tension mechanism configured to selectively limit movement of the napkin during wrapping of the napkin around the one or more utensils; wherein said tension mechanism is configured to frictionally engage a portion of the napkin proximate an edge of said trough prior to said wrapping mechanism starting to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils; and wherein said tension mechanism is configured to stop frictional engagement of the napkin at some time after said wrapping mechanism starts wrapping the napkin, but before said wrapping mechanism completes wrapping of the napkin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils, said apparatus comprising:
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a wrapping area defining a trough dimensioned to receive one or more utensils; a utensil dispenser configured to deliver one or more utensils to said trough; a napkin delivery mechanism configured to deliver a napkin to said trough; a wrapping mechanism configured to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils to define a wrapped bundle; means for frictionally engaging a portion of the napkin to selectively limit movement of the napkin when said wrapping mechanism is wrapping the napkin around the one or more utensils; wherein said frictionally engaging means is synchronized with said wrapping mechanism such that said frictionally engaging means engages the napkin prior to said wrapping mechanism starting to wrap the napkin; and wherein said frictionally engaging means disengages the napkin at some time after said wrapping mechanism starts wrapping the napkin, but before said wrapping mechanism completes wrapping of the napkin. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. An apparatus for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils, said apparatus comprising:
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a wrapping area defining a trough dimensioned to receive one or more utensils; a utensil dispenser configured to deliver one or more utensils to said trough; a transfer arm configured to deliver a napkin to said trough, wherein said transfer arm rotates between a first position proximate a stack of napkins and a second position proximate said trough; a wrapping mechanism configured to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils; a tension mechanism configured to selectively limit movement of the napkin during wrapping of the napkin around the one or more utensils; wherein said tension mechanism is movable between a first position that limits movement of the napkin and a second position that does not limit movement of the napkin; wherein movement of said tension mechanism is synchronized with said wrapping mechanism such that said tension mechanism moves to said first position prior to said wrapping mechanism starting to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils; and wherein said tension mechanism moves to said second position at some time after said wrapping mechanism starts wrapping the napkin, but before said wrapping mechanism completes wrapping of the napkin. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An apparatus for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils, said apparatus comprising:
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a wrapping area defining a trough dimensioned to receive one or more utensils; a utensil dispenser configured to deliver one or more utensils to said trough; a napkin delivery mechanism configured to deliver a napkin to said trough; a wrapping mechanism configured to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils to define a wrapped bundle; a discharge mechanism configured to remove the wrapped bundle from said wrapping mechanism when said discharge mechanism moves from a first position to a second position; a tension mechanism configured to selectively limit movement of the napkin during wrapping of the napkin around the one or more utensils; wherein said tension mechanism is movable between a first position that limits movement of the napkin and a second position that does not limit movement of the napkin; wherein movement of said tension mechanism is synchronized with said wrapping mechanism such that said tension mechanism moves to said first position prior to said wrapping mechanism starting to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils; and wherein said tension mechanism moves to said second position at some time after said wrapping mechanism starts wrapping the napkin, but before said wrapping mechanism completes wrapping of the napkin. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils, said apparatus comprising:
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a wrapping area defining a trough dimensioned to receive one or more utensils; a utensil dispenser configured to deliver one or more utensils to said trough; a napkin delivery mechanism configured to deliver a napkin to said trough; a wrapping mechanism configured to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils to define a wrapped bundle; a tension mechanism configured to selectively limit movement of the napkin during wrapping of the napkin around the one or more utensils; wherein said tension mechanism is movable between a first position that limits movement of the napkin and a second position that does not limit movement of the napkin; wherein movement of said tension mechanism is synchronized with said wrapping mechanism such that said tension mechanism moves to said first position prior to said wrapping mechanism starting to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils; and wherein said tension mechanism moves to said second position at some time after said wrapping mechanism starts wrapping the napkin, but before said wrapping mechanism completes wrapping of the napkin. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. An apparatus for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils, said apparatus comprising:
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a wrapping area defining a trough dimensioned to receive one or more utensils; a utensil dispenser configured to deliver one or more utensils to said trough; a napkin delivery mechanism configured to deliver a napkin to said trough; a wrapping mechanism configured to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils to define a wrapped bundle; a tension mechanism configured to selectively limit movement of the napkin during wrapping of the napkin around the one or more utensils; wherein said tension mechanism is movable between a first position that limits movement of the napkin and a second position that does not limit movement of the napkin; wherein movement of said tension mechanism is synchronized with said wrapping mechanism such that said tension mechanism moves to said first position prior to said wrapping mechanism starting to wrap the napkin around the one or more utensils; and wherein said tension mechanism includes at least one of; an adhesive depositing mechanism configured to deposit an adhesive on the napkin, and a tape dispenser configured to place a piece of tape on the napkin. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification